George Clooney not attending Obama inaugural

I don't remember him going 4 years ago:


OPRAH AND GEORGE CLOONEY STAYING HOME FOR INAUGURAL

by WARNER TODD HUSTON 19 Jan 2013, 12:56 PM PDT

President Barack Obama doesn't seem to be drawing them in for inaugural number two like he did four years ago. Two of his more famous supporters, Oprah Winfrey and actor George Clooney, won't even be attending this year.
Clooney's publicist told the media that the actor will be out of the country during inauguration week so he's a no go. Oprah's people also reported that the former TV talk show powerhouse will be traveling.
Both are big Obama boosters. Clooney held many fundraisers for the President and while Oprah stopped her heavy push for him after his first run for the White House, she is also still a big supporter. One would guess that if these two high-powered personalities really wanted to attend the event they would find a way to do so. But this time it is not to be.
Other actors and Hollywood types like singers Beyonce and Katy Perry will be in the audience and so will former Democrat Presidents Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton.
The big stars aren’t the only ones avoiding Washington for inaugural redux. Total crowd estimates are off several hundred thousand this time, too.

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I don't think he went to the first one.

Oprah and George Clooney Staying Home for Inaugural

President Barack Obama doesn't seem to be drawing them in for inaugural number two like he did four years ago. Two of his more famous supporters, Oprah Winfrey and actor George Clooney, won't even be attending this year.

Clooney's publicist told the media that the actor will be out of the country during inauguration week so he's a no go. Oprah's people also reported that the former TV talk show powerhouse will be traveling.

Both are big Obama boosters. Clooney held many fundraisers for the President and while Oprah stopped her heavy push for him after his first run for the White House, she is also still a big supporter. One would guess that if these two high-powered personalities really wanted to attend the event they would find a way to do so. But this time it is not to be.

Other actors and Hollywood types like singers Beyonce and Katy Perry will be in the audience and so will former Democrat Presidents Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton.

The big stars aren’t the only ones avoiding Washington for inaugural redux. Total crowd estimates are off several hundred thousand this time, too.

Link

Celebrations more subdued this time round
Date January 20, 2013

Over the next 24 hours Barack Obama will place his hand on three Bibles to swear two oaths before God to faithfully execute the Office of President of these ostensibly secular United States, becoming only the second president to take the oath four times.

On Sunday in Washington, Mr Obama will swear the oath on Michelle Obama's family Bible in a private White House ceremony to abide by the constitutional decree that the oath must be taken on January 20.

But it is Monday's celebration - held over because by tradition the inauguration is never held on a Sunday - that Washington has finally begun building some excitement about.

According to the George Washington University political science professor Michael Cornfield, the lead-up to this year's inauguration has been less celebratory than the last, not only because the inauguration of America's first black president was such an historic moment, but because this year's proceedings are being held after the murders of schoolchildren in Sandy Hook.

He describes inaugurations as part quasi-religious ritual, part celebrity gala and part political management opportunity.

He expects the President to attempt to set the tone of his second term - and his legacy - with his speech, before filling in the policy details with the State of the Union address to be held next month.

On Monday in Washington, the Supreme Court Chief Justice, John Roberts - the man who famously fluffed his lines four years ago, prompting the President to retake the oath the following day - will again recite the President's Oath. Mr Obama has chosen to make the oath on two Bibles, one that belonged to Abraham Lincoln, another that belonged to Martin Luther King jnr.

''President Obama is honoured to use these Bibles at the swearing-in ceremonies,'' said Steve Kerrigan, the chief executive of the Presidential Inaugural Committee. ''On the 50th anniversary of the March on Washington and 150th anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation, this historic moment is a reflection of the extraordinary progress we've made as a nation.''

Up to 800,000 people are expected to watch the ceremony on the west terrace of the Capitol building, less than half the number who gathered on the National Mall four years ago in what was the largest crowd that has ever congregated in Washington.

Afterwards they will line Pennsylvania Avenue to watch the first family lead a parade of thousands as the President returns to the White House, before attending two official balls on Monday night. Up to 35,000 are expected to attend one, and 4000 the other, held in honour of American troops.

Among those performing or attending the balls are the actor Jamie Foxx and the singer Jennifer Hudson as well as Alicia Keys, Brad Paisley, Chris Cornell and his band Soundgarden and Marc Anthony, members of the Glee cast, John Legend, Katy Perry, Smokey Robinson, Usher and Stevie Wonder.

During the more formal inauguration proceedings the US Marine Band will perform, along with the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir, James Taylor, Kelly Clarkson and Beyonce.

Four years ago, 10 balls were held. With fewer official tickets available, Washington is making its own fun this year, with unofficial balls being held across the city

Link

In case you're wondering, I've just merged the two threads we had on this together.

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I'm not really surprised it's on a smaller scale this time round. When he first won, it was a real triumph and I think a change in society and politics. Now it's "just" a re-election.

That's not to say it isn't a great success but it's not new and exciting this time round.

Oops, missed the earlier thread.

Agree with Katie - his first inauguration was a historical event - the first African American President in the United States.

The fact that George and Oprah are not attending doesn't necessarily signal any loss in support for him.

The other thing that might be part of their decisions - Oprah and George tend to draw attention away from the main event and that might also be a reason not to attend. JMO