Obama 'stand-in' cheered in rehearsal inauguration

ArticleData Array ( [Article] => Array ( [article_id] => 1004799 [headline] => Obama 'stand-in' cheered in rehearsal inauguration [abstract] => A crowd cheered, the Marine band struck up Hail to the Chief, but the man on the dais was just a stand-in, as organisers rehearsed for US president-elect Barack Obama's January 20 inauguration. [keywords] => barack obama, inauguration, rehearsal, white house [content] =>

A crowd cheered, the Marine band struck up Hail to the Chief, but the man on the dais was just a stand-in, as organisers rehearsed for US president-elect Barack Obama's January 20 inauguration.

A daylong run-through on Sunday prepped participants for the historic swearing-in ceremony one week from Tuesday, when Obama will stand on a podium at the west side of the US Capitol building and pledge to "faithfully execute the office of president of the United States".

Thousands of military service members took part in Sunday's exercise, while inauguration day principals - Obama, his wife Michelle, their two daughters and about a dozen others - were portrayed by stand-ins.

Captain Meritt Phillips, an official with the Armed Forces Inaugural Committee, said the dopplegangers were enlisted military "chosen based on their accurate height, weight, ethnicity and gender".

Obama's two young daughters were portrayed by the children of enlistees.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, the president-elect, Barack H Obama" an announcer proclaimed over a loudspeaker, using the future president's middle initial even though Obama has said he would use his full name, Barack Hussein Obama, at his swearing-in.

More than 5,000 service members from all branches of the US military are expected for the actual inauguration ceremony, although a smaller number took part in Sunday's rehearsal.

The US Marine band played Hail to the Chief for the Obama look-alike as it has at inaugurations for more than 200 years.

"We've performed for the president's inaugural since 1801," said Kristin Mergen, spokesperson for the music ensemble.

Starring as the president-elect was Army Staff Sergeant Derrick Brooks - a dead ringer for Obama, if not for the military uniform.

But to erase any doubt about whom he was portraying, a placard around his neck - similar to nameplates worn by other participants - read "The President Elect Barack H Obama".

Brooks raised his right hand, placed his hand on a Bible and vowed to "preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States", as the president-elect will do, and as the 43 US chief executives before Obama have as well.

The army sergeant also presided over a review of US military, as Obama will after being sworn in and after he departs for a parade route lined with well-wishers.

Dominique Sewell, 14, said she was thrilled with her turn playing the elder Obama daughter Malia, who is actually 10.

"I'm honoured to be a part of history," said Sewell, daughter of army sergeant first class Nathalie Sewell-Johnson.

One major difference from real inauguration events is that about 200 onlookers were at the scene, cheering heartily despite the predawn hour and frigid temperatures.

But planners have said they expect millions next week to throng the Mall - a 3km-long grassy expanse between Capitol Building and the Washington monument - for the real event.

Vicky Cork, an onlooker from the neighbouring state of Maryland, lamented that Sunday's dress rehearsal was as close as she'd be able to get to the event.

"I won't be able to go to the inauguration, so I thought it was the next best thing to do," she said.
 

[start_date] => 12 January 2009 | 12:11:37 PM [comments_allowed] => 1 [source] => AFP [commentCount] => 0 [video] => [image] => Array ( [caption] => [useRegularImage] => 1 [media_library_id] => 58283 [site_id] => 1 [media_library_group_id] => 0 [media_usage_id] => 0 [filename] => site_1_rand_1410644524_white_house_rehearal_b_1201_getty.jpg [title] => white_house_rehearal_B_1201_getty_1410644524 [description] => file:site_1_rand_1410644524_white_house_rehearal_b_1201_getty.jpg [type] => [height] => 338 [width] => 450 [source] => [video_hi] => [video_lo] => [section] => [display_order] => 0 [create_date] => 2009-01-12 15:53:38 [active] => 1 [media_usage] => Article Large [usageWidth] => 300 [usageHeight] => 225 ) [imagePath] => http://media.sbs.com.au/news/upload_media/ [audio] => [reporter] => [relatedLinks] => Array ( [5] => Array ( [id] => album-91 [label] => Team Obama [display_order] => 0 [type] => Gallery ) [0] => Array ( [id] => 1004347 [label] => Watch Obama's inauguration on SBS [display_order] => 2 [type] => Article ) [1] => Array ( [id] => 1002320 [label] => Inauguration trip for a mere $US50,000 [display_order] => 3 [type] => Article ) [2] => Array ( [id] => 1004393 [label] => Q&A: The US presidential inauguration [display_order] => 4 [type] => Article ) [3] => Array ( [id] => 1003349 [label] => Obama 'to take oath on Lincoln's Bible' [display_order] => 5 [type] => Article ) [4] => Array ( [id] => 1002787 [label] => Aretha to perform at Obama inauguration [display_order] => 6 [type] => Article ) ) [relatedArticles] => Array ( [0] => Array ( [article_id] => 1004347 [headline] => Watch Obama's inauguration on SBS [abstract] =>

You can watch special coverage of the inauguration of the 44th President of the United States - Barack Obama - on SBS.

[content] =>

SBS will be screening a special one-hour program on the inauguration of America's 44th President - Barack Obama.

The historic ceremony will be shown at 12.30pm AEDT on 21 January, shortly after the swearing-in takes place.

Hosted by SBS World News Australia presenter Anton Enus, the program will also feature interviews, analysis and special guests.

"The inauguration of a new US President is an historic moment in time," said Anton.

"It will be fascinating to hear the newly sworn-in President’s inauguration speech.

New directions

"It is bound to provide the world with greater understanding of his administration’s new directions."

SBS's senior correspondent Brian Thomson will report direct from Washington as the US welcomes its new leader to the White House - and bids farewell to current president, George W Bush.

"President Bush will complete his tenure as leader of the most powerful country in the world during a very challenging period in history  - and history has not yet had the time to judge him," said Anton.


The Inauguration of the 44th President of the USA, Barack Obama, on SBS - 21 January at 12.30pm AEDT.

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Barack Obama will make history lwhen he is sworn in as the 44th President of the United States - but what can we expect?

Tens of thousands of people - from around the world, as well as across the US - are expected to descend on the capital for the inauguration of America's first black leader.

Hotels in the capital are already fully booked, and preparations for the momentous occasion are in full swing.

Where - and when - does the inauguration take place?

Since 1801, the presidential inauguration ceremony has been held in the nation's capital, Washington DC. Before then, it took place in New York City.

Traditionally, the incoming Vice President and President take the oath of office on the steps of the United States Capitol, allowing members of the public to watch. However, if the weather is particularly bad, it can be held inside the building.

A special wooden 'inauguration platform' is built for the ceremony. It will hold 1,600 people.

The inauguration takes place on January 20 of the year following the presidential election. The event begins at 11.30am, local time, with the swearing-in itself taking place at about noon.

Who attends the inauguration?

Traditionally, the outgoing President and First Lady are among those to watch as the new leader is sworn in.

Others on hand for the ceremony are members of the US Senate and the House of Representatives, cabinet members and nominees, the Justices of the Supreme Court, and state Governors.

All living former Presidents are also expected to attend.

Because of the historic nature of Barack Obama's election victory, record numbers of 'ordinary' people are expected to try to attend the ceremony.

Admission to the inauguration is by ticket only.

Tickets are handed out by Senators and members of the House of Representatives, and are traditionally free; however the huge interest in this year's ceremony means many are being sold on by touts.

Members of the public will be able to watch the swearing-in on big screens lined up along the National Mall in Washington DC.

What happens?

During the ceremony, both the President and Vice President will be sworn in.

The event will be marked with music, prayers and readings.

Singer Aretha Franklin, and musicians Itzhak Perlman and Yo-Yo Ma are expected to add some extra glamour this year, performing a selection of music arranged by star composer John Williams.

The US military also plays a major role in the ceremony, with parades, salutes and marching bands.

What does the incoming Vice President say?

The Vice President-elect's oath reads: "I do solemnly swear that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic, that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same: that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion, and I will will and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter."

Once the Vice President has been sworn in, a military band plays Hail Columbia - the first, unofficial, national anthem of the United States, and the entrance march for the Vice President.

What does the incoming President say?

According to the United States Constitution, the President-elect declares: "I do solemnly swear that I will faithfully execute the office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States."

Some presidents also choose to add the words "so help me God" after the oath of office, following the example of George Washington, who also kissed the Bible.

Theodore Roosevelt, the 26th US President, added the phrase "and thus I swear", rather than using the religious line.

Barack Obama is expected to swear on the Lincoln Bible at the ceremony, though there is no rule which states a Bible - or any other text - must be used.

Presidents may 'affirm' rather than 'swear' if they wish, but only one - Franklin Pierce - is known to have done so.

The oath of office is traditionally administered by the US Chief Justice of the Supreme Court - currently John G Roberts.

What happens next?

To mark the presidential inauguration, a military band then plays Hail to the Chief, the official march of the US President.

This is followed by a 21-gun salute.

Can we expect a speech from Obama?

Yes. After he is sworn in, the new President traditionally makes an inaugural address, at which he outlines his plans for the future, offering a glimpse of the direction his administration will take in the months and years to follow.

What happens after the ceremony?

The official inauguration concludes with the US's national anthem.

Once the ceremony is over, the outgoing President and First Lady leave the White House for the last time, to begin their post-presidential lives.

The new President and Vice President, and their guests then attend a special lunch inside the Capitol building.

Later (at 2.30pm, local time), the US armed forces and others take part in the inauguration parade, in which marching bands, military regiments, and floats process from the Capitol, along Pennsylvania Avenue, to the White House.

The President and Vice President, and their families are expected to lead the parade as it makes its way through Washington DC, watched by thousands of people.

Is there an 'inauguration party'?

A string of inauguration balls and galas will be held in Washington on and around the big day.

Barack Obama and Joe Biden are expected to attend ten parties on January 20 alone, each recognising a different group, from young people to the military, to those from the new president and vice-president's home states.

Are any other events planned?

Yes. Traditionally, a week of celebrations is held to mark the inauguration, with some festivities in the run-up to the swearing-in and others after the new president takes office.

This year, events will kick off with the arrival - by train - of Barack Obama, Joe Biden and their families in Washington DC on Saturday January 17.

The following day, Sunday January 18, an official welcome - open to the public, and certain to draw huge crowds - will take place on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial.

Monday January 19 is Martin Luther King Jr Day. The Obama and Biden families are expected to join in events marking the civil rights activist's legacy.

 

 

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Musical luminaries Aretha Franklin, Yo-Yo Ma and Itzhak Perlman will be among the performers at Barack Obama's presidential inauguration, the committee handling the event said.

The US Marine band will open the January 20 ceremony, to be followed by performances by children's choirs from San Francisco, said California Senator Dianne Feinstein, who heads the inaugural ceremonies committee.

After welcoming remarks by Feinstein, and a religious invocation by evangelical Pastor Rick Warren, Franklin will perform.

Vice president-elect Joe Biden will then take the oath of office, to be followed by performances from violinist Perlman, cellist Yo-Yo Ma, pianist Gabriela Montero and clarinetist Anthony McGill.

Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts will then administer the oath of office to Obama, and the new president will deliver his inaugural address.

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