Inaugural Impressions

Had to watch my kid while my wife was at an audition. While I answered emails, I watched the coverage of the inauguration parade. A couple of observations:

1. The coverage seemed to be as much about the protesters as about the parade. One of the networks put the number of protesters at 10,000. Andrea McDonald from NBC stated that this was nothing compared to protests that she had seen at previous inaugurations.

2. Chris Matthews is an idiot (like you needed me to say it). He's interviewing Kelly, the guy who won The Apprentice this past fall, and he asks the crowd of young people behind him, "How many of you voted for Kerry, but are here to support the President anyway." They all looked at him like he had five heads. Why not just ask who supported Bush and who supported Kerry? They all seemed to be friends with Kelly, who stated he was a Republican from Wyoming so who does Matthews think they voted for? Of course, he didn't let them answer the question.

3. It pains me as a Texas Aggie to see President Bush give the hook 'em horns sign when the tu marching band goes past. I know his daughter went there and all, but does he have to give support to a university that is in a town that most likely went for Kerry? What do you want to bet that 43's presidential library ends up right next to 41's in College Station. Fortunately, '41 stepped up and gave a great big Gig 'em Aggies to the Fightin' Texas Aggie Band when they went by. It was also good to see the Ross Volunteers, the official honor guard for the state of Texas.

4. Finally, the cost. I wrote here about the cost of the inauguration and the criticism associated with it. Fortunately, the Washington Times exists to provide another voice inside the Beltway. This article analyzes the cost of the inauguration and puts it in line with past inaugurations:

"But a review of the cost for past inaugurations shows Mr. Bush's will cost less than President Clinton's second inauguration in 1997, which cost about $42 million. When the cost is adjusted for inflation, Mr. Clinton's second-term celebration exceeds Mr. Bush's by about 25 percent."

and

"President Johnson didn't eschew pageantry in 1965, racking up a $1.6 million bill for inaugural festivities despite the Vietnam War, historian Robert Dallek told Reuters."