HAIL TO THE CHEIF

THE TOTAL COST OF OBAMA'S INAUGURATION COULD BE OVER $150 MILLION:

Tomorrow's inauguration of BARACK OBAMA as the country's 44th president is set to make history . . . as the most expensive presidential inauguration ever.

The total cost of the inauguration could be over $150 million . . . including the actual inauguration, all the related parties and events, and all the transportation, logistics, and law enforcement required to deal with everything.

In other words, it's an estimate, so it could actually cost more . . . or less. The number's higher this year because crowds are expected to be bigger, and security is going to be tighter. --Something called the Presidential Inaugural Committee is spending $45 million to run the events surrounding the ceremony, including the parade, ten official inaugural balls . . . and $700,000 so the Smithsonian Institution can be open longer on Inauguration Day.

But all that money comes from private donations and selling merchandise, not from the government. The actual swearing-ceremony IS paid for by the federal government . . . meaning me and you . . . and it'll cost $1.24 million, which is $10,000 less than BUSH'S inauguration in 2005. The total cost to the taxpayer for everything ELSE associated with inauguration day could come in at around $49 million. That includes stuff like:

About $3.5 million for the construction of the platform in front of the Capitol and the rental of the chairs in front of the ceremony About $1.5 million to place the U.S. Capitol Police at events around the ceremony.

All the different law enforcement officials on duty, plus the Secret Service and the military personnel during the parade following the swearing-in ceremony. And increased transportation and law enforcement costs in both Virginia and Maryland. (--In other words, just like the bailout, EVERYONE'S got their hand out.) (CNN / Yahoo)

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TWO IN THREE AMERICANS WILL WATCH OBAMA'S INAUGURATION:

I'm sure you know that tomorrow is BARACK OBAMA'S presidential inauguration. But what I really want to know is . . . are you planning on watching the swearing-in ceremony?

I ask because, according to a recent survey, TWO in THREE Americans say they're going to tune in for the inauguration. That includes 85% of Democrats, 62% of independents and 49% of Republicans.

And while 63% of whites say they're going to watch the inauguration . . . 92% of blacks will. Overall, 43% of Americans say they'd attend the inauguration in person if they were given a ticket . . . while 56% say they wouldn't attend.

(--That leaves 1% who are, apparently, still unable to make up their mind one way or the other.) (Yahoo News)