District Welcomes Obama as One of the Capital’s Own

[babylonsister]

District Welcomes Obama as One of the Capital’s Own

By IAN URBINA
Published: January 2, 2009


WASHINGTON — Presidents come and go from this city. Hosting inaugurations is nothing new. But for residents here, over 92 percent of whom voted for President-elect Barack Obama, his inauguration this month is special.

The day ushers in hopes and expectations for a president who speaks to local residents and brings with it the excitement of a predominantly black city welcoming the nation’s first black president.

With the inauguration scheduled for the day after the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday weekend, the timing also strikes a chord for a city that was racked by riots after Dr. King’s assassination.

“For D.C., this inauguration is less like hosting a visiting official and more like throwing a homecoming party for a family member,” said Ronald Walters, professor of government and politics at the University of Maryland.

He added that normally, the inauguration is an exclusive black-tie affair. “This time,” he said, “it feels like the city has taken ownership of what is becoming a people’s party.”

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http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/03/us/03washington.html?ref=politics

[Cha]

1. Yeah, I love that about DC

..that they voted so highly for our Prez Elect..they obviously have a lot of smart peeps who live there. And, they so deserve this after having to live so close to the bushits for 8 years.