If you didn’t know that the presidential inaugurations are the Oscars and Grammys of Washington, D.C, then you’ve been missing out.
Well, at least Barack Obama’s inaugurations are.
It’s the only time in four years that we get to see Washington star-studded instead of chock-full of uppity congressional staffers and interns. It’s the only time the fashion industry gives a rat’s ass about politics, as they yearn to be the designer the First Lady will wear to the inauguration ball. And it’s where you’ll see Jay-Z rub shoulders with George W. Bush.
Well…only at Obama’s inaugurations.
Let’s face it. Four years ago, Barack Obama turned Washington OUT and it will never be the same. And even though his second inauguration, just a week away, isn’t expected to be as huge as his first, his inaugural committee still managed to make it a poppin’ event from what we hear.
And that would mean Obama has had the greatest inaugurations of all time, right? Don’t believe me? See for yourself…and also take in some inaugurations that are probably the worst. Ever.
Best: It was the hottest ticket in town:
Two million people attended Obama’s first inauguration. And I’m glad to report there was no violence, no fights, no ratchetness at all. So hold your stereotypical jokes please.
Worst: It was the hottest ticket in town…too
Andrew Jackson, who became the seventh president in 1829, had a whopping 20,000 people come to his inauguration. Which is a lot for that time period! But this is why Obama wins: Jackson’s event was like a scene from Love and Hip-Hop!
The crowd grew restless and ratchet and the organizers put large amounts of free booze on the White House lawn. There were some fights and a mob smashed objects inside the White House. And then there were the Basketball Wives, I mean Petticoat Affair, where the wives of Jackson’s cabinet members shunned a fellow wife. Do. Better.
Best: They wore this…
Chic and cheap, Michelle KILLED in a Isabel Toledo dress and green gloves by J. Crew.
Worst: They wore this…
I don’t know what’s going on here. And I’m talking about Laura Bush, not Hillary Clinton, so don’t even look over there. I’m going to leave that one alone.
Best: Beyonce fulfilled her destiny…
Beyonce got the treat of her life four years ago when she sang Etta James’ “At Last” while the President and his First Lady danced at the first (of 10) inaugural balls that night. She’ll get a chance to do it again this year at the actual inauguration. They can’t even get this chick to show up to the BET Awards, so you know Obama’s event is poppin’!
Worst: Who performed here again?
It really doesn’t matter, it wasn’t Beyonce, so it wasn’t the best.
Best: All the stars aligned in Obama’s inauguration…
OK, let me break it down for you. Here’s Obama and his people recreating the last train ride Lincoln took to his inauguration. Significance? Obama’s second inauguration falls 150 years after Lincoln’s emancipation of the slaves, 50 years from Martin Luther King Jr.’s famous “I Have A Dream” speech, and on the day the nation honors the Reverend. Tell me this day wasn’t made for him.
Worst: Guess the stars aligned for him too…in the heavens…
Poor President William Henry. His inauguration fell on the fateful day he would talk himself to death. In 1841, the 68-year-old decided to give a two-hour speech in very cold, wet weather without a hat or a coat. The result: he died of pneumonia. And to make matters worse, no one even liked his speech.
Best: After the show, it’s the after party…
Ten inaugural balls. That’s countless hours of partying. And music. And just an overall feeling of something new in this country. And while this year there will only be two, I’m sure the Obamas and their guests will still get it poppin’. After all, Michelle did say Obama had some smooth moves.
Worst: The party they should have shut down…
In 1857, James Buchanan’s post-inaugural activities resulted in an illness that left at least 36 people dead. Guests who attended the events at the National Hotel came down with a mystery illness and then died quickly, or over the course of the following two years. Buchanan wasn’t safe. He caught it too…but recovered later.
But in the end…
It doesn’t matter if any of these inaugurations were absolutely horrible (and some of them, as you see, were).
What matters is this one is the best, because there were some that thought it couldn’t happen. Not a first time. Not a second. And for that…both of Obama’s inaugurations are the best of all time.
Let’s make history again!
