Posted on 01/02/2009 7:24:08 AM PST by GOP_Lady
CLEVELAND - Though the recession is crimping the spending of most Americans, Ohio Democrats plan to live large in the New Year -- at least during this month's four-day inaugural celebration.
From elected officials to former office holders to proud volunteers, Ohio Democrats have purchased all of the state party's 150 allotted rooms at the Renaissance Mayflower Hotel, a historic luxury hotel not far from the White House. Only a handful of Ohio rooms are being held for last-minute VIPs.
The price tag for celebrating the election of Democrat Barack Obama rivals the extravagance of the bygone housing boom: A minimum of $4,000 for the four-night stay beginning Saturday, Jan. 17. For $6,000, Democrats can upgrade their rooms to suites.
But money doesn't buy access, at least not in this case. It only gets Ohioans on the "priority list" for tickets to official inaugural events, which are managed by the Presidential Inaugural Committee.
Ohioans buying hotel rooms at the Mayflower get two tickets to Ohio's black-tie-optional gala on Sunday, Jan. 18, which includes a live band from the D.C. area and an appearance by Ohio State University's marching band.
Nearly 700 people have purchased tickets to the gala, which cost $300 apiece, according to Bill DeMora, of the special committee making arrangements for the Ohio activities.
Former U.S. Rep. Dennis Eckart, who was an adviser to Obama's Ohio campaign, said the price of the hotel package is a bargain.
"Although times are tough, there is some joy in just being together," said Eckart, who is also attending events with former colleagues and with other early Obama supporters. "And compared to other packages we saw, this had some value."
Eckart said that the morning after the election, he reserved hotel rooms that were not as nice as the Mayflower and cost much more. He canceled in favor of the package.
"My wife, Sandy, and I thought the package also gave us an opportunity to be with other Ohioans who share our joy of our friends' success," he said.
Obama, who will become America's first black president, will be sworn in on Tuesday, Jan. 20. That night, a series of inaugural balls will commence across D.C.
The Presidential Inaugural Committee is organizing 10 official balls, and Ohio will join other states at one of them. But not even state Democratic officials have received details about the cost or who will be invited.
The state party set up a nonprofit committee to organize its events. The committee, 2009 Ohio Celebration Inc., is selling corporate sponsorships -- ranging from $10,000 to $75,000 -- to help underwrite the cost of the ball and related activities.
DeMora, who would not disclose any names of sponsors, said money raised by the committee cannot be used by the party.
"The goal is cover the costs and nothing more," he said.
“the first black president”
Keep telling yourselves that.
The tax revolt is coming.
Excellent question. I’d like to know that as well.
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