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Highlights of the steps toward Barack Obama's swearing-in road to the inauguration

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: December 6, 2008

President-elect Barack Obama this week named his national security team and his choice for commerce secretary, and he squeezed in a meeting with the nation's governors.

Clinton And Co.

Obama named his national security team Monday, vowing to bolster military strength with diplomacy. His picks:

•Hillary Clinton, secretary of state

•Robert Gates, secretary of defense

•Eric Holder, attorney general

•James Jones, national security adviser
•Janet Napolitano, secretary of Homeland Security
•Susan Rice, ambassador to the United Nations

First Hispanic

Obama selected New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson as his commerce secretary Wednesday, naming a prominent Hispanic to his new Cabinet and calling him a leading economic diplomat for America in troubled times. At a Chicago news conference, Obama praised Richardson's long resume. He served as United Nations ambassador and energy secretary during the Clinton administration, and he is in his second term as New Mexico's governor. Richardson is the first Hispanic named to Obama's Cabinet.

Governors As Partners

Obama promised swift action Tuesday on an economic plan "to solve this crisis and to ease the burden on our states," and he cast governors as his partners in crafting a recession-rebound strategy. "This administration does not intend to delay in getting you the help that we need," Obama said as he met in Philadelphia with the chief executives of most states, including Florida Gov. Charlie Crist, and sought to rally bipartisan support for an economic stimulus package.

Mall Will Be Open

In a change from tradition, the entire length of the National Mall will be open to the public during the inauguration, Obama's inaugural committee announced Thursday.

The committee has pledged to make Obama's inauguration "the most open and accessible in history," allowing those who can't get the 240,000 tickets to the swearing-in ceremony on the Capitol grounds to fill the mall. In the past, parts of the mall have been closed off as a parade staging area.

Benefactor Invites Disadvantaged

At the JW Marriott Hotel in Washington, $1 million will buy you 300 hotel rooms, $200,000 worth of food and private access to a tented, heated balcony overlooking the inauguration parade route.

Earl W. Stafford is buying it all - and giving it away to strangers. Stafford, a Virginia businessman, plans to invite disadvantaged people, wounded soldiers and others to the prime location on Pennsylvania Avenue. He's calling it the People's Inaugural Project, inviting those who would never otherwise have a chance to wear tuxedos or satin dresses to the president's swearing-in.

A wire report

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