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

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: January 17, 2009

Updated: 01/17/2009 12:11 am

Updates By Cell Phone; A Pitch For Ideas

Barack Obama's high-tech bandwagon is rolling on, combining information on inauguration events with a pitch for cash to pay for them. The president-elect's aides told supporters this week that they could learn by e-mail about community service projects across the country tied to his swearing-in Tuesday; that they could receive updates by cell phone on traffic and events in the nation's capital; that the best of their ideas on how to govern, submitted on his Web site, would get his attention; and that they could contribute money.

Obama, Vice President-elect Joe Biden and their families plan to participate in service projects in the Washington area Monday. On an Obama-tied Web site, USAService.org, aides have posted thousands of volunteer opportunities across the country linked to his inauguration Tuesday.

Republicans Sign Up

More Republicans are taking prominent roles in a series of dinners Monday night as a nod toward bipartisanship in government. The three dinners are scheduled at different locations in Washington. Participating will be Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina and former Sens. John Warner of Virginia and Chuck Hagel of Nebraska.

To be honored are Republican Sen. John McCain of Arizona, former Secretary of State Colin Powell, also a Republican, and Vice President-elect Joe Biden, a Democrat.

The Presidential Inaugural Committee said the honorees are being recognized for bipartisan cooperation during a lifetime of public service.

Stars Of All Stripes

Anybody who's anybody: That pretty much describes the list of musicians and celebrities who will participate in a free concert at the Lincoln Memorial on Sunday afternoon to kick off Obama's inaugural celebration. Beyonce, Mary J. Blige, Garth Brooks - and that's just toward the top of the alphabetical list released Monday - are scheduled to perform.

And for good measure, the Boss - aka Bruce Springsteen - and Bono, along with his band U2.

The Presidential Inaugural Committee also announced that Jamie Foxx, Denzel Washington and Queen Latifah will give historical readings.

But don't expect a greatest-hits review Sunday, the concert's producers said. The 90-minute show, which will begin at 2 p.m. and which will be shown that evening in a special free broadcast on HBO, will consist mainly of performers covering songs that have historical resonance or connect to the theme of the concert, dubbed "We Are One."

Other performers include Shakira, Usher, Stevie Wonder, John Legend, John Mellencamp and Herbie Hancock.

Republicans Skip Town

Palm Springs, here they come. A half-dozen Republicans are decamping from Washington to Southern California this weekend to get away from the crowds, the cold and Barack Obama bobble-heads. They've rented a house with a heated swimming pool, a hot tub and an outdoor fire pit.

"We'll toast the new administration and, fingers crossed, wish them well before we return on Wednesday and see what the future holds for Republicans in Washington," said Karen Johnson, a lobbyist and former Bush administration official who organized the long weekend.

"I literally don't know a single Republican who's going to be in town over the inauguration," said Scott Reed, Bob Dole's former campaign manager, who is headed to New York. "This is not an easy time. It's not the politics, it's the economics."

A wire report

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