Requests for Obama inauguration tickets are pouring in

Denise Watson Batts

Nov. 7, 2008 (McClatchy-Tribune Regional News delivered by Newstex) -- Want a ticket to the swearing-in ceremony for President-elect Barack Obama?

Join the line.

Local congressional offices, which will have a limited number of free tickets in January, were deluged with requests Wednesday for the Jan. 20 event. The Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies will produce about 240,000 tickets and allocate them to the members of Congress after their own January swearing-in.

Local congressional offices don't know how many tickets they will receive or how they will be distributed, but expect they will have more requests than tickets.

The Presidential Inaugural Committee, which should be formed within a week, also will receive a share of tickets to distribute.

Joni Ivey, chief of staff for U.S. Rep. Bobby Scott, D-Newport News, said his office will start taking requests today from constituents in the 3rd Congressional District. U.S. Sen. Jim Webb's office, which has been receiving requests for more than a year, is directing people to his Web site, where staff members expect to have more information today.

Details of Inauguration Day are still being planned, but traditional events include the swearing-in of the president and vice president, a parade and several balls. Web sites have already popped up taking orders for tickets to the swearing-in, but Carole Florman, communications director for the joint congressional committee, said people should be careful about buying tickets that are available for free from their representatives.

"It's really buyer beware," Florman said.

There are no details on the inaugural ball or parade, which will be organized by the Presidential Inaugural Committee. Other events -- including other balls, galas and concerts, which often surround Inauguration Day -- are sponsored by other organizations, Florman said, that will dictate details and ticket information.

Denise Watson Batts, (757) 446-2504, denise.batts@pilotonline.com

Newstex ID: KRTB-0212-29338345