(McClatchy-Tribune Regional News delivered by Newstex) -- Talk about political long shots.

Tens of thousands of Virginians are asking congressional offices for tickets to President-elect Barack Obama's inauguration Jan. 20.

But yesterday, many of the nation's 100 senators officially learned from the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies that each will get 393 tickets to distribute.

And many of the 435 House members were told they will get 198 tickets.

If you do the math, that means one thing: Very few people who requested tickets to the swearing-in will get them.

Democratic Sen. Jim Webb's office alone has received more than 30,000 calls and e-mails for tickets, with most people asking for more than one.

Jessica Smith, a Webb spokeswoman, said his office has not been told how many tickets his office will receive but should know today.

Last week, Smith said the office expected to get 300 to 400 tickets but wanted more.

Webb requested more tickets because of Virginia's proximity to the nation's capital and the large number of federal employees who reside in the state.

Smith said Webb has not received an answer to his request.

About 240,000 tickets are distributed to the swearing-in ceremony. About half will go to members of Congress.

The rest are to be distributed through the Presidential Inaugural Committee, not yet set up by the Obama transition team. Those tickets typically go to supporters, but details of how those will be distributed are not available.

The tickets mostly are standing-room-only locations near the Capitol, for spots as far away as one or two blocks down the National Mall.

The National Park Service is planning for an inaugural crowd of at least 1 million people.

Outgoing Sen. John W. Warner, R-Va., does not receive tickets.

Virginia Sen.-elect Mark R. Warner, a Democrat, will receive tickets. His office has not been established, and his staff last week was recommending that people call the Democratic National Committee or Obama's campaign offices for now.

Congressional officials are warning people to avoid ticket scams. Web sites are advertising tickets to the parade and the swearing-in for thousands of dollars.

But the sites are selling tickets they don't have. The tickets are free and aren't handed out until a week before the inauguration.

Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., introduced legislation yesterday prohibiting the sale and counterfeiting of inaugural tickets.

"The chance to witness this event should not be bought and sold like tickets to a football game," she said in a statement.

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.