By Kelly O'Connell Reporter
Media General News Services, Amy Dominello
WASHINGTON – More people than ever will be able to witness Barack Obama’s swearing-in on the National Mall. Media General News Services, Amy Dominello
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Stumble It!The Presidential Inaugural Committee announced today it is opening the entire National Mall to accommodate as many people as possible in anticipation of what are expected to be unprecedented crowds. Estimates range from 1 million to 4 million people.
Large television screens will be set up so people along the mall can watch and listen to the swearing-in ceremony.
In the past, a large section of the mall has been used as a staging area for participants in the inaugural parade. That staging area has been relocated.
It will still be difficult to actually see Obama be sworn in on the Capitol steps. The vantage points closest to the Capitol require tickets. Those free tickets are available through members of the Senate and the House.
But congressional offices received between 200 and 400 tickets and have been inundated with requests for those tickets, which are handed out the week before the Inauguration.
Tickets are not needed for the inaugural parade, but visibility will be limited because of large crowds and tight security along Pennsylvania Avenue. Tickets to inaugural balls are purchased through organizations hosting them.
The interest in the Inauguration has led congressional officials to warn against ticket scams. Many Web sites are falsely advertising tickets to the parade and the swearing-in ceremony for thousands of dollars.
