Obama Inauguration: President-Elect Will Arrive In Washington By Train

WASHINGTON — President-elect Barack Obama will kick off his inaugural celebration on Jan. 17 _ the weekend before his swearing in as the country's 44th president _ by traveling on a train to the nation's capital.

Obama is retracing the journey of his political idol, Abraham Lincoln, who also rode to his swearing-in on a train from Philadelphia, making stops along the way.

Obama and his family will start their daylong journey with an event in Philadelphia before boarding the train and picking up Vice President-elect Joe Biden and his family in Wilmington, Del. The president-elect and his group then will make a stop in Baltimore before making their way to Washington.

Obama will take office Jan. 20.

"We hope to include as many Americans as possible who wish to participate, but can't be in Washington," Emmett Beliveau, the executive director of the Presidential Inaugural Committee, said in a statement. "These events will allow us to do that while honoring the rich history and tradition of previous inaugural journeys."

Baltimore Mayor Sheila Dixon said Monday that Obama would give a speech there, and officials expect up to 150,000 people to attend. No location has been selected, but options include M&T Bank Stadium, home to the Baltimore Ravens.

A triumphant address before a massive crowd would offer an extreme contrast to Lincoln's experiences in Baltimore in February 1861, when he was smuggled under cover of darkness from one train station to another to avoid a feared assassination attempt. At the time, the maneuver was denounced in newspaper accounts as cowardly, said Courtney B. Wilson, executive director of the B&O Railroad Museum.

To some extent, Lincoln's caution was validated two months later, when Union troops traveling between the two stations clashed with Confederate sympathizers in the "Baltimore Riots," which became known as the first bloodshed of the Civil War.

Obama aides said Philadelphia and Baltimore were chosen because of the roles they played at pivotal moments in U.S. history and because they fit in with the inauguration's theme, "Renewing America's Promise."

The committee has said the theme was chosen to underscore Obama's "commitment to restoring opportunity and possibility for all and re-establishing America's standing as a beacon of hope around the world."

Comments

[colette]

After a wretched, hours-late, sardine-can cross-country flight last night, I hope this bodes well for Amtrak and our nation's rail system, which the Republicans have systematically plunged into ruin everywhere except where they need it (the NE corridor) for decades.

Haven't heard boo from Obama people yet about Amtrak. But if Biden rode it every day, and if energy savings become a priority, and if people need to get back to work via public projects, please let them remember on this trip that we are the only major developed (or for that matter undeveloped) country without a decent rail system! It's a win-win to get those choo-choos rolling again....

[Eoin45]

What a wonderful thing to do. When Abe Lincoln arrived in Washington he also took the train. He arrived by himself with no one there to meet him. N osecret service, no nothing. Times have changed but I believe the Obamas embody the spirit of Lincoln - that of binding together. This symbolic gesture shows it.

[aliceinthewater]

I also love the way he address his luggage on that trip: A. Lincoln, White House. When I read Team of Rivals that just struck me as the best description of who Lincoln was. A simple man walking into difficult times.

[afgail]

In times of crisis America has chosen their presidents well. Washington, Lincoln, FDR and now Obama. After 8 long years of venal motives eminating from the White House that permeated every branch of the federal government, We finally have hope for a better tomorrow. The clock sees to tick excrutiatngly slow. The misery ends Jan. 20.!

[paulfromportland]

Interesting that the first President-Elect from Illinois, Abraham Lincoln, also took the train to DC - However, he came close to being assassinated in Baltimore by Southern sympathizers.

[vjoseph]

That did not make me feel better

[cdub1991]

Interesting. I posted a fairly harmless comment about the Lincoln thing an hour or so ago and someone came along after and removed it. Paranoid much?

[cdub1991]

Whoops. Different article. Never mind.

[ReportThis]

Brilliant.

[grantlingel]

Obama is the man.. it is weird that when I type Obama there is still a red squiggly mark under his name.
http://www.vagabondstory.com

[aliceinthewater]

I agree, I had to add him to my spell check.

[aOsO]

Sounds good to me.

[Diplomacy]

Woot! Whoot! The O-Train of HOPE full steam ahead for 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue!

Wonderful idea and no doubt the idea came from all the bloggers on the "Obama for America" web site. When things got tough during the campaign there were always the O-Train videos by Desert Dove Dan to uplift spirits.

This truly represents a "Beacon of HOPE" for the WORLD!

[Bocado]

lol O-Train

[PoorRussianBoy]

Second the tax credit idea for public transportation use.

Take a look: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yf19H_sHMro&fmt=6

[Adrienne Williams - Huffpost Blogger]

Good plan.....

[AngieMom57]

Tax Credit for all those American's using Public Transportation and who do not own a car!

[cackal]

Too bad he isn't taking the train from Chicago. My family did it in June '04 (I don't like to fly). We got 2 sleeper cars and it was a great journey. I remember looking out the window after it was dark and seeing hundreds of fireflies glittering at the edge of a field. Just lovely. And...it was on that trip that my interest in Obama was sparked. The deal was sealed at the convention!!

[cinnysmom]

I wish I could see him pass thru my state on the train, but I live in the beautiful, freezing cold state of Wisconsin, so I will be watching him on tv.
This is off topic, but I hope that the good people in the Northeast get their power restored soon. They are going thru some bad times right now, and my thoughts are with them.

[liviapeacock]

Thanks! You're very nice. People are still out of power here, and no school again in my town.

Obama rocks, and this is a great idea. Can't wait for Jan 20th! I'm having a 1600 Pennsylvania Ave brunch.

[Rog49Thomas]

let's hope that fighting bob's spirit is on the train with him

[LWilkinson315]

Sounds Cool :)

[BabsfromKansas]

36 Days until the Inauguration