by Frank James
How much should the Obamas and their supporters party to mark his inauguration and how much should be spent considering the anguish so many families are experiencing because of the economy?
That's the implicit question in a story by Richard Simon and Jill Zuckman of the Tribune Washington bureau. Obviously, winning the presidency is reason for anyone to celebrate, especially the first African American president.
But too much celebrating and free-spending runs the risk of seeming uncaring or tone deaf to the nation's current mood.
So many inaugural party planners are trying to strike a balance, although not all are.
From the sound of it, Michigan intends to have a subdued, cost-conscious event that reflects the less-than-celebratory mood in that state. Indiana is another matter.
An excerpt:
At a time when the auto industry pleads for federal aid, planners of the Michigan inaugural dinner dance have scaled back their event -- a simpler menu, black tie optional, biodegradable paper plates instead of china, and no contributions from automakers.
"We need to be very sensitive to appearances," said Debbie Dingell, president of the Michigan State Society, who talked about scaling back on champagne. "We won't have premium brand. There won't be shrimp, I'll be blunt. But Michigan is known for its whitefish, and we'll have whitefish."
Yet it's hard to hold back in a town that views the inauguration as its own version of the Oscars. Events include a celebrity-studded party planned by the Creative Coalition, with tickets starting at $10,000 per couple.
Jan Powell, chairing the Indiana Inaugural Ball, said she had had no trouble selling corporate sponsorships for $18,000-per-person tickets to the formal four-course dinner dance. "Even in rough economic times, people are perhaps looking for something to celebrate," she said.
Who knew there were corporations left in the nation able to sponsor $18,000 per person tickets? Maybe they can bail out the rest of the economy.
Anyway, Stephen Hess, the Brookings Institution expert on the presidency, is quoted as saying that the people planning the Obama inaugural parties shouldn't stint too much.
Another snippet:
"In the Great Depression, everybody ran out to see Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers," he said. "People want to celebrate, want to dance, want an excuse to be happy."
"History teaches us that the party must go on," said Jim Bendat, Los Angeles-based author of "Democracy's Big Day: The Inauguration of our President 1789-2009." "The general feeling seems to be that for one night it's OK to have a big party."
That sounds about right. It's been eight years since the nation inaugurated a new president and it's never inaugurated a black one. So the parties should reflect the renewal of American democracy even at a time of economic hardship for many. Indeed, a big celebration is likely just what the nation needs to be distracted, at least for a little while, from the pressing economic problems of the day.
Comments
It could work out well, like Election Night in Chicago.
Or it could be a bad omen, with freezing weather, people hurt in crowds, or worse.
Lavish parties? That would be a no-no for a country teetering on the edge of a Depression.
A big no-no.
Marie Antoinette type stuff.
Posted by: ornery | December 15, 2008 10:33 PM
These plates would work for them: http://www.obamapaperplate.com
Posted by: Larry | January 12, 2009 4:29 PM