Inauguration Draws Both Democrats and Republicans
WASHINGTON, Jan. 20 -Thousands of people keeping warm with fur coats and dressed in cowboy hats and boots stomped through the snow to attend the 55th presidential inauguration Thursday. The swearing-in of George W. Bush for a second term also drew both Republicans and Democrats from his former opponent’s home state.
About 15 minutes before Mr. Bush walked onto the Capitol steps to take the oath, former Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry played with a cowboy hat and joked around with fellow senators. The Massachusetts senator’s appearance at the swearing-in ceremony impressed Rebecca Rosen of Salem, Mass.
“I think he was a real gentleman for [attending],” the 53-year-old said while shivering in the cold.
Mrs. Rosen said she and her husband, Alvin, came to Washington because they are “staunch supporters” of Bush.
“We still have friends but different political views,” Mr. Rosen, 53, said with a smile about being a Republican in Massachusetts.
Judy Milan, 46, and Lynn McNeil, 56, said they decided to put their political differences with the president aside and travel down from Lynn, Mass., for the inauguration.
“The only reason we came is because she had extra tickets and she needed a driver,” Ms. McNeil, a self-proclaimed Democrat, said. “I’m the designated driver.”
Ms. Milan and Ms. McNeil both said their first inauguration was worth the trip despite comments from Republicans but added that they did not agree with the money spent on the event.
“What Franklin Roosevelt did in World War II should have been done here because we are at war,” Ms. McNeil said.
Mr. Rosen said the complaints about the cost of the inauguration upset him because he did not believe it was unusual.
“The reality is if John Kerry was elected you’d see the same type of celebrational balls,” he said. “I think it’s really a non-issue.”
During the two-hour parade cheers rang out from the crowd as men and women of the armed forces marched by in uniform.
People lined office windows and rooftops along Pennsylvania Avenue to see the parade as protestors below chanted “not a mandate” while waving signs.
Those watching from bleachers near where the protestors were fenced in at Freedom Plaza taunted them, yelling “four more years” and attempting to drown out the booing with cheers.
Police in riot gear stood near the protest area and Mr. Bush’s motorcade sped up while passing by.
Sharpshooters on rooftops and hundreds of Secret Service agents with ear warmers covering their ear pieces made the heightened-security presence known throughout the day, according to Rachael Hasson.
Ms. Hasson, of Northboro, Mass., said she noticed the security level was much higher at this inauguration than four years ago but said the extra lines were worth the experience.
The 24-year-old said she did not believe the estimated $40 million being spent was unnecessary, despite its being for Bush’s second term.
“I think we’re celebrating what our nation stands for no matter who is in office and what else is going on,” Hasson said.
###
