I Thought Obama Was Already In DC

[red states rule]

Why is Obama doing this? How much is this adding to already record setting cost of his inauguration?


Obama's whistle-stop tour chugs on to Washington

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- With just a few days until his historic inauguration, President-elect Barack Obama will travel by train from the birthplace of the nation's democracy to the city where political power brokers run it.

Obama will begin Saturday at an event in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, around 10 a.m. The Presidential Inauguration Committee says tickets are required for the event and will be distributed to the public.

He will later stop in Wilmington, Delaware, the home of Vice President-elect Joe Biden. The event will be held in the back of the Wilmington train station. Doors open at 9:30 a.m.

The train tour later stops in Baltimore, Maryland, for another public event at the War Memorial Plaza. Doors open at 1:00 p.m.

The final stop: Washington, where Obama will head to Blair House, his temporary home. iReport.com: Is the train coming to your town? Send us your photos

The trip kicks off several days of inauguration activities -- including concerts, balls and the inauguration itself on January 20.

On Sunday afternoon, Obama will help launch a star-studded free event at the Lincoln Memorial, which will be broadcast live on HBO and other cable and satellite providers.

Musical performers, according to the inaugural committee, include: Beyonce, Mary J. Blige, Bono, Garth Brooks, Sheryl Crow, Renee Fleming, Josh Groban, Herbie Hancock, Heather Headley, John Legend, Jennifer Nettles, John Mellencamp, Usher, Shakira, Bruce Springsteen, James Taylor, will.i.am and Stevie Wonder.

http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/01/16/obama.train/

[stephanie]

This is a stupid show for the sheeple by the Democrats. They know they can't sell their BS any other way..
:lame2:

[red states rule]

This is a stupid show for the sheeple by the Democrats. They know they can't sell their BS any other way..
:lame2:

Style over substance - and we pay for it

[5stringJeff]

And, historically, many other Presidents have done the same thing.

[red states rule]

And, historically, many other Presidents have done the same thing.

Yet in 2000 and 2004 Dems and the liberal media were screaming over the costs of Pres Bush's inauguration

Now, keep the books open and the calculator on hand to add up the final total of this one. After all we the taxpayers are paying hundreds of millons for Obama's day in the sun

Great example for the PE to set for the rest of us during the "worst economy since the Great Depression"

[stephanie]

And, historically, many other Presidents have done the same thing.

I can't find a list of how many have done this, do you know where to find one?

[red states rule]

I can't find a list of how many have done this, do you know where to find one?

I know Abe Lincoln did. Obama seems to think he is the reincarnation of him

[stephanie]

I know Abe Lincoln did. Obama seems to think he is the reincarnation of him

that seems to be what the media and Democrats are trying to paint him as.

a lot of silly if you ask me.

How can he be the Change artist, if he is channeling someone from the PAST...:coffee:

[red states rule]

that seems to be what the media and Democrats are trying to paint him as.

a lot of silly if you ask me.

How can he be the Change artist, if he is channeling someone from the PAST...:coffee:

Oh, and lets not forget FDR as well

What an ego this guy has Steph - it is bigger then the annual deficit he is going to give us

[5stringJeff]

I can't find a list of how many have done this, do you know where to find one?

I only know from reading history books. Many Presidents took trips to tour the country even after inauguration, including Monroe, Jackson, and Van Buren (I'm reading the President's bios in order, and I'm on Taylor right now).

[red states rule]

I only know from reading history books. Many Presidents took trips to tour the country even after inauguration, including Monroe, Jackson, and Van Buren (I'm reading the President's bios in order, and I'm on Taylor right now).

Oh, so Obama thinks he is those guys as well :laugh2:

[5stringJeff]

Oh, so Obama thinks he is those guys as well :laugh2:

Geez. And you guys thought the Bush-bashers had one track minds. :rolleyes:

[stephanie]

Geez. And you guys thought the Bush-bashers had one track minds. :rolleyes:

it's not us who is trying to portray this person as Lincoln, Fdr, JFK, MLK all rolled into one.

we are just pointing out the silliness of it.

[red states rule]

it's not us who is trying to portray this person as Lincoln and Fdr.

we are just pointing out the silliness of it.

and the double standard of the Dems and liberal media

[red states rule]

Geez. And you guys thought the Bush-bashers had one track minds. :rolleyes:

It is not about hating Obama Jeff

It is about him Spending $5 million on a victory party.

It is about him taking a train ride to DC, costing millions in extra security.

It is about him spending $150 million on his Inauguration.

What a patheic loser, and huge ego

[red states rule]

Pass the barf bag

CNN is calling this the "Obama Express"

I wonder if Chris Matthews carried Obama's luggage onto the train?

[5stringJeff]

Looks like none other than big-spending George Bush gets to share the blame for this. How proud the GOP must be.

Bush declares inaugural emergency (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/28650363/)

President George W. Bush on Tuesday declared an emergency in the District of Columbia that will let the nation's capital tap deeper into federal coffers for Barack Obama's inauguration.

Bush said that an emergency exists and ordered federal aid to supplement the $15 million in federal funds already appropriated for the event.

[red states rule]

Looks like none other than big-spending George Bush gets to share the blame for this. How proud the GOP must be.

Bush declares inaugural emergency (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/28650363/)

President George W. Bush on Tuesday declared an emergency in the District of Columbia that will let the nation's capital tap deeper into federal coffers for Barack Obama's inauguration.

Bush said that an emergency exists and ordered federal aid to supplement the $15 million in federal funds already appropriated for the event.

For a guy who claims to know all about the US Constitution, you should know Prss Bush can't spend the money

Only Congress can - which is run by Dems

Pres Bush is trying to be nice guy - but I would not do it. Let Obama pay for this dog and poney show out of his own pocket

[namvet]

this is a green train right ?????:coffee:

[red states rule]

this is a green train right ?????:coffee:

No, it is a money train - our money

[stephanie]

Looks like none other than big-spending George Bush gets to share the blame for this. How proud the GOP must be.

Bush declares inaugural emergency (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/28650363/)

President George W. Bush on Tuesday declared an emergency in the District of Columbia that will let the nation's capital tap deeper into federal coffers for Barack Obama's inauguration.

Bush said that an emergency exists and ordered federal aid to supplement the $15 million in federal funds already appropriated for the event.

I already voiced my displeasure with this, I didn't vote for the person and I shouldn't have to pay for his coronation.

[namvet]

No, it is a money train - our money

aha. so they fuel it with money to keep it green............:coffee:


http://media-files.gather.com/images/d879/d691/d744/d224/d96/f3/full.jpg

[namvet]

I already voiced my displeasure with this, I didn't vote for the person and I shouldn't have to pay for his coronation.

we should apply for a bail out today !!!!!!!!!!!!

[5stringJeff]

For a guy who claims to know all about the US Constitution, you should know Prss Bush can't spend the money

Only Congress can - which is run by Dems

Pres Bush is trying to be nice guy - but I would not do it. Let Obama pay for this dog and poney show out of his own pocket

Bush is allowing more money to be spent than was originally authorized. If Bush had not acted, he could have lowered the bill. Instead, he did act, and the bill is higher.

[red states rule]

Here comes the bailout NV

http://www.strangepolitics.com/images/content/144636.jpg

[namvet]

Bush is allowing more money to be spent than was originally authorized. If Bush had not acted, he could have lowered the bill. Instead, he did act, and the bill is higher.

that was to show America what to expect.

[red states rule]

Bush is allowing more money to be spent than was originally authorized. If Bush had not acted, he could have lowered the bill. Instead, he did act, and the bill is higher.

and who approves and writes the spending bills?

The Reid/Pelosi Congress

Bottom line is, Obama could simply cut back and stop feeding his ego with out tax dollars

But that would make sense

[namvet]

Here comes the bailout NV

http://www.strangepolitics.com/images/content/144636.jpg

all he'll get from me is a doc saying "account closed" :dance::dance:

[namvet]

and who approves and writes the spending bills?

The Reid/Pelosi Congress

Bottom line is, Obama could simply cut back and stop feeding his ego with out tax dollars

But that would make sense

liberal $$$$ and cents

[red states rule]

liberal $$$$ and cents

and anyone who questions Obama's spending is either a racist or an Obama hater

Or both

[stephanie]

and anyone who questions Obama's spending is either a racist or an Obama hater

Or both

That was the plan all along, and I think the Clintons and the Democrat party set up this way..

I just don't have a good feeling about ANY OF THIS.

[red states rule]

That was the plan all along, and I think the Clintons and the Democrat party set up this way..

I just don't have a good feeling about ANY OF THIS.

and the liberal media will be waving the pom poms for Obama, and tossing the bombs towards those whom disagree with the Chosen One

[namvet]

and anyone who questions Obama's spending is either a racist or an Obama hater

Or both

I can live with that

[namvet]

and the liberal media will be waving the pom poms for Obama, and tossing the bombs towards those whom disagree with the Chosen One

tracer bullets go both ways

[red states rule]

Obama is all about spectactle. When he gives a speech or does anything, it has to be huge. He's got an enormous ego.

I do think it would be in better to scale things down a bit, but Obama doesn't care.

I am sure some of the Obama supporters here may soon post how Obama's arrogance is deserved because he is better then the rest of us.

[namvet]

Obama is all about spectactle. When he gives a speech or does anything, it has to be huge. He's got an enormous ego.

I do think it would be in better to scale things down a bit, but Obama doesn't care.

I am sure some of the Obama supporters here may soon post how Obama's arrogance is deserved because he is better then the rest of us.

I think we should spend more for protection on the super bowl. at least its AMERICAN

[red states rule]

It's all style over substance.

Just like Pelosi and her little posse when they got the Congress.

First 100 hours? Remember that?

She didn't even find a parking space in the first 100 hours.

Obama will be no different. He might find his Presidential bathroom within the first 100 hours - but do not expect much more then that

[namvet]

It's all style over substance.

Just like Pelosi and her little posse when they got the Congress.

First 100 hours? Remember that?

She didn't even find a parking space in the first 100 hours.

Obama will be no different. He might find his Presidential bathroom within the first 100 hours - but do not expect much more then that

honey answer the red phone !!!!!

[red states rule]

Once all the pomp and circumstance is over, the true nature of his inexperience will be revealed.

Kinda already has though. Stimulus checks with money the government doesn't have thanks to the Dems wild sprending sprees

They'll be coming to us to get it though.

Ah... the roots of socialism

[Yurt]

Looks like none other than big-spending George Bush gets to share the blame for this. How proud the GOP must be.

Bush declares inaugural emergency (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/28650363/)

President George W. Bush on Tuesday declared an emergency in the District of Columbia that will let the nation's capital tap deeper into federal coffers for Barack Obama's inauguration.

Bush said that an emergency exists and ordered federal aid to supplement the $15 million in federal funds already appropriated for the event.

maybe bush is being a wise guy....you know...that obama is becoming president is an "emergency" situation, maybe we need martial law :coffee:

[stephanie]

maybe bush is being a wise guy....you know...that obama is becoming president is an "emergency" situation, maybe we need martial law :coffee:


jeeeze, don't go spreading that around on DuUnderground, there will be some heads exploding..they've been saying that Bush will find some reason to declare martial law, for the last four years..:laugh2:

[5stringJeff]

I read this article today in the WSJ. Apparently, taking a train into Washington for the inauguration is a long tradition.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123207780395189051.html


Chugging Into Washington
Barack Obama takes a train to his inauguration, reviving an old tradition
By CHRISTOPHER CONKEY

President-elect Barack Obama's train trip from Philadelphia to the nation's capital on Saturday renews a tradition that has lain dormant for more than 50 years. The trip is also one of several tributes Mr. Obama will pay over the next few days to Abraham Lincoln, who traveled along a similar route prior to his inauguration in 1861 -- although his was a bumpy ride.

By the time Lincoln, a former railroad lawyer, set off from Springfield, Ill., on Feb. 11, several states had seceded from the union and the threat of civil war loomed. Assassination rumors swirled as his train headed to Harrisburg, Pa. One report held that the tracks on the way to Baltimore were mined, so Lincoln, at the urging of railroad detective Allan Pinkerton, was disguised and rerouted back to Philadelphia on another train.

A second rumor said that Lincoln would be gunned down by southern militants in Baltimore, so Lincoln remained in disguise as he quietly boarded a night train to Maryland. No one on board was told he was there, and telegraph lines were cut to ensure secrecy. After a successful ferry crossing over the Susquehanna River and a late-night transfer in Baltimore, Lincoln arrived safely in Washington near daylight.

Lincoln's journey wasn't the first pre-inaugural train ride. That honor belongs to William Henry Harrison in 1841, according to Bob Withers, author of "The President Travels by Train." Harrison traveled by boat and stagecoach from Cincinnati to Frederick, Md., where he took Baltimore & Ohio trains the rest of the way. Shortly thereafter, Harrison fell ill and became the first president to die in office.

The last president to travel to his inauguration via train was Dwight Eisenhower on Jan. 18, 1953. His train, a Pennsylvania Railroad special from New York, left an hour late because he was still writing his inaugural address, Mr. Withers says. The train made no stops and unloaded its passengers 100 yards shy of Washington Union's Station. It's unclear whether this was to allow Eisenhower's family to quickly hop into limousines or because the track ahead was damaged.

In between Harrison and Eisenhower, rail transportation boomed in the United States. Trains became the primary means of intercity travel for presidents, "whistle stop" campaigning became a routine feature of politics and at least 14 presidents-elect took a train to Washington for their inauguration.

In 1857, James Buchanan got off his inaugural train before it could arrive at Baltimore's Calvert Street Station, where a crowd of "Know Nothings" had gathered to harass him. Rutherford B. Hayes in 1877 didn't know if he'd won or not when his train left Columbus, Ohio. In 1851, Millard Fillmore's Secretary of State, Daniel Webster, rode out in the open on a flatcar so he could get a better view.

Riding inside wasn't necessarily more pleasant. According to Mr. Withers, in Fillmore's day "the locomotive's exhaust drifted through open windows in the coaches, keeping celebrants busy dodging hot ashes."

Perhaps the best historical comparison to Mr. Obama's ride is the inaugural trip taken by Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1933, Mr. Withers says. The nation's banking system was collapsing amid the Great Depression and Roosevelt met with his advisers on the train trip from New York to Washington, which was otherwise uneventful.

James Polk in 1845 may have been the first president to pick up his vice president-elect during his inaugural trip, meeting George Dallas in Relay, Md. On Saturday, Vice President-elect Joe Biden will board Mr. Obama's train in Wilmington, Del., one of two planned stops between Philadelphia and Washington (the other is Baltimore).

Messrs. Obama and Biden are unlikely to conduct the kind of rear-platform speeches that were so common during the heyday of whistle stop campaigns. But they are clearly hoping to hit a populist note as they make their way to Washington for inaugural festivities, which begin Sunday with an event at the Lincoln Memorial.

"We are really trying in every way to make this inauguration as open to the public and inclusive as possible," said Linda Douglass, an Obama spokeswoman. "This was an opportunity to connect with Americans along the way as they travel into Washington, D.C."

Harry Truman campaigned from a train during the 1948 campaign and roared back to beat Thomas Dewey. In St. Louis, from the back of his train dubbed the "Victory Special," he held aloft a copy of the previous day's Chicago Tribune with its mistaken "Dewey Defeats Truman" headline.

"You get a real feeling of this country and the people in it when you're on a train," Truman said. "And the further you get away from that...the easier it gets for the stuffed shirts and the counterfeits and the fellas from Madison Avenue to put it over on the people."

Write to Christopher Conkey at christopher.conkey@wsj.com
Printed in The Wall Street Journal, page W12

[Kathianne]

I caught the Baltimore stop. I think everyone knows I'm not a huge fan of Obama. I thought the stop was a good thing. Brought to mind the challenges a new country faced in 1812 and that we came out stronger. The music was phenomenal. From the Star Spangled Banner to "America."

GW's presidency sidetracked and was defined by 9/11. Today it appears that Obama's will be defined by economy, though neither he or us know what lies ahead 9 months or 1 from now. God bless him, he holds our fate in his hands.

[namvet]

the country's hurtin for certain and this idot's on a train ride, tryin to be somebody's he's not. next stop a kazillion $$$ party. tell me did Lincoln do that????

very unimpressive