Crowds Converge on Washington for Inauguration; Some With Tickets Turned Away
Tuesday Wrap
New Hampshire Union Leader
Aoife Connors and Jillian Jorgensen
Boston University Washington News Service
Jan. 20, 2009
WASHINGTON – Among the almost 2 million people who packed the nation’s capital for the swearing-in of President Barack H. Obama, New Hampshire residents could be found in most corners of the city: they were on the grounds of the U.S. Capitol, on the grass of the National Mall, and on the congested city streets.
“This transcends gender and race and culture. I can’t get over the experiences I’m having with people on the street,” said Ann McLane Kuster, 52, from Hopkinton. “Relating to people without artificial barriers about your race, or your gender, or your age, or your socioeconomic background.”
Kuster, an attorney and partner with Rath, Young and Pignatelli in Concord who volunteered on the Obama campaign and transition team, waited two and a half hours in a crowd outside a security gate that never opened, before turning around and finding another gate. But witnessing the swearing-in was worth the confusion, she said.
Kuster recalled escorting Obama through Concord two years ago on a campaign trip.
“I have been working my heart out for him since,” she said. “And it all seems so improbable, and there were so many highs and lows when I never thought it would happen or could happen, and here we are. It’s just so extremely emotional.”
Some people with inauguration tickets were turned away. David Reudig, 60, from Concord, waited in line for hours with a ticket to a seating area on the Capitol grounds.
Ruedig needed only one word to explain why he decided to brave the crowds and the cold for the inauguration: “Obama.”
“I’m ready to be done with Bush,” he added.
But with only minutes to go until the start of the inaugural ceremony, Reudig was still in line, behind thousands of others who had crowded in front of security screening gates.
“I wish I could get in there,” he said. “It’s not going to happen.”
He decided, with moments to spare, to leave the line and find someplace else to watch the swearing-in.
New Hampshire state Rep. Phil Preston, 70, from Ashland, watched the speech from a spot on the National Mall, near the Washington Monument.
“My initial reaction to Obama’s speech was very positive, it was uplifting, he gave an optimistic appraisal of America’s ability to deal with adversity and problems,” Preston said. “I was overwhelmed by the enthusiasm and responsiveness of the crowd.”
Preston was interested in the way the crowd expressed their feelings about each politician in attendance.
“When ex-presidents Jimmy Carter and Clinton walked out there was warm enthusiasm, but when the first George Bush arrived the response was polite and neutral. The second George Bush got boos from the crowd, but when Obama arrived at the podium, the crowd went wild,” Preston said.
“The crowd was very pro-Obama and anti-Bush and they expressed that. Some people said after [Vice President Joe] Biden had been sworn in ‘one down, one to go.’ It’s too bad that those sentiments had to be expressed,” Preston added.
Other Democrats from New Hampshire were also on hand in Washington to witness the momentous occasion.
“I am humbled to have witnessed the swearing-in of our 44th president, surrounded by so many dedicated New Hampshire volunteers and elected officials,” New Hampshire Democratic Party chairman Ray Buckley said in a statement. “President Obama represents the possibility of the American dream, and he will work every day to expand the availability of that dream until all Americans can lay claim to it. This is democracy at work, and at its best.”
Roy Swain, 54, from Westmoreland, watched the inauguration from the packed National Mall. He said that after campaigning hard for Obama, “I thought I couldn’t miss it.”
“It’s just incredible just to be part a part of it,” he said. “It’s just a great feeling of finally turning the country around, putting us in the right direction.”
And some, like Roger Lessard, chairman of the Democratic Committee in Hillsborough County, watched the historic event from the comfort of their own homes in New Hampshire.
“The cat was curled up at my computer desk. When I applauded as Obama was sworn in, the cat jumped up startled! When she realized there was nothing to be alarmed about, she settled down and curled up again,” said Lessard.
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