Obama to take train to inaugural

I would like to be on that train... What a great idea!

The man really is full of himself..talk about arrogant!

Jeanne - I am sure you would think that no matter what they decided to do. Some folks just can't be pleased. MOST of the country is actually happy about the inauguration and a huge number of us would like to witness it. It is nice that the new administration is doing the best they can to make it accessible to people. If that is what you think amounts to arrogance, then I have no idea how your brain works.

Jeanne, What is your problem?!?! He is making a conscious effort NOT to be like everyone in Washington right now. Go crawl back under your rock.

Is he taking Amtrak? I love taking the train to NY - it's the best way to get there.

Yes, train travel truly is the hallmark of arrogance. And how dare he pay homage to the history of our country!

I wonder what the added cost of security will be becasue of these extra stops. Good thing we're not in a recession or anything! Let the spending begin...

I think it's wonderful to rekindle an old tradition with the change of command. It's a great way to reach out to americans

Maybe he will see how bad our passenger rail system is and plug a few $$'s into upgrading and reparing the system. There is no reason why a 3rd world nation like France should have a passenger rail system far superior to the USA.

This is a President that is showing his true feelings for the United States.
This is truly a great day in history.

Jeanne, what exactly is your problem? I agree with Marcia, this is a great idea. I assume you voted for McCain - he lost, get over it. President-Elect Obama will be the President of all the people, including you.

Why can't he start in Boston?

I only wish he was starting in Boston . . .

Yes, taking a train is the height of arrogance.

News flash Jeanne, if you're going to be in charge of the free world, you have to be a little bit arrogant. GET OVER IT.

And there you have it in comments 1 and 2 the full spectrum of perspectives! Funny.

Jeanne,

Could you explain why he is arrogant?

Great Idea for publicity, but how much more will this cost than the ususal Secrit Service cost of a quick flight to DC. That along with the extra cost of a first-time 4 day, 24 hr party requiring tremendious security cost shows the governments focus on cutting cost . All this on the tax payers dime, soon to de Dollar.

I like it....

choo-choo!

Unlike Bush.
What's arrogant about riding on a train and making a few stops?

Just don't let AMTRAK handle the travel arrangements, or he'll never make it on time!

Jeanne -- Are you kidding? Are you a fool or just bitter? Or, again -- are you kidding?

It is a great idea. Jeanne your an idiot. Clearly you voted for McCain

I agree with Jeanne. Obama is acting like he is God's gift to the people..a chosen one. In the middle of an economic recession, all this pomp is totally uncalled for..i mean that inauguration party alone... He's not even the president yet, and there are already all these scandals surrounding his name, cabinet and party in Chicago. This is just the tip of the iceberg, people. But I guess what is important is one half of the color of his skin, and not his professionalism.

Bitter table for one please ( Jeanne )

Comment #9: France = 3rd world???

"3rd world nation like France" ????

Too bad the train couldn't stop in Hawaii so he could pick up a copy of his phony birth certificate. Or, maybe Chicago so Alexrod ("I know he's spoken with the Governor" on Nov 23rd ) and Obama ("I've not spoken with the Governor" on Dec 4th, 2008) can get their lies straight.

Choo Choo! Welcome aboard the Scandal Express!!!

"Why can't he start in Boston?". Are you nuts? Have you seen what a shambles South Station is? He would get there after half of his first term were over!! Come to think of it, less time to do damage. Perhaps this is a good idea after all.

Before he sets off he could oversee the auction of the seats left vacant by Diane and Chuck and cronies, . . . . oh yes Diane lost her seat. Has anyone told her yet?

Funny...the added cost of this "historic" trip has been raised twice in these posts, yet it's gone ignored. Ahh, Democrats at their finest!

Hahaha. I think this is a great idea.

I wonder if he's taking Amtrak. Maybe we should delay the inauguration until the 22d to give him enough time to overcome the "switching problems."

@ the people bashing the costs... The costs are all on the campain/inauguration people, No Public funds. It is all paid by fund raising. Right down to the security costs.

I wish he would start in Boston also. However, I think if the Secret Service stopped all train travel in and out of New York City while waiting for his train to go through, President elect Obama may cause more bad will than all the goodwill that his trip generates.

Making a conscious effort at being different from Washington? By witnessing, perhaps even engaging, in illegal behavior and then being disingenuous about it?

Yeah, that's change - that's not Washington, that's Chicago.

Jeanne, are you posting satire? Taking a train and doing a whistle stop tour is arrogant? Would you care to elaborate, or did you just want to hurl insults for no good reason?

Joe - maybe we should spend a little more on security so that the President don't get shoes hurdled at him - the ultimate insult. Talk about cost, how much did we spend on that 'surprise' visit to Iraq....

Here comes Abe Lincoln! I mean Obama! This guy is so hell-bent on making himself be the better than thou figure. It's amazing that amongst all the inexperience and scandals that he has been successful. He may not be a good politician, but he is a BRILLIANT marketer and BSer.

I suspect that the planned train trip, which WILL among other things, such as being a homage to American presidents in the past, allow tens of thousands of people to see him, for 10 or 15 seconds at least, as the train passes by, will cost a lot less than ANY of George W. Bush's trips for his self-promoting Farewell Tour. (Think also of the waste of W's notorious "Mission Accomplished" trip, which, in addition to being a fraud, delayed the homecoming of thousands of American sailors and Marines who actually served their country just for the benefit of a cheap/expensive "photo op.")

Isn't it obvious that he's imitating (or honoring, depedening on your point of view), Abraham Lincoln's journey from Springfield to DC for the inauguration? Hope his security folks are aware that there was a plot to assasinate Lincoln in Baltimore, and he had to sneak out of town in disguise! I think it's a great idea, and will give lots of folks who can't make it to DC (I now live 15 miles south in VA, but I'll stay home to watch) the opportunity to be a part of history. Boo on the nay-sayers. By the way, I voted for McCain.

The only arrogant one was Jeanne who was the one that posted that nasty comment.

The costs will more than likely be borne by the transtion/inaugral committee not the taxpayers.

If you cant say anything decent , you should keep your mouth shut. you are a fool and a flaming idiot.

The height of arrogance would be flying in on a private jet; the train is so in keeping with the President Elect's sense of humility. What a refreshing change from the smirk we've lived with for the last 8 years--now THAT was arrogance!

What a joke this guy is, he really believes there is a connection to Old Abe, there is...but not one he or his supporters thought up while smoking the old whacky tobaccy!....you people are drinking the kool aid, I will be the first one in line to tell you all.....I TOLD YOU SO!!!!!!!!!!!! oh ya, change??? what change.....Hilliary?? and the list goes on.............one more thing to piss you all off...is he gonna spread the wealth on the way????? this administration will be filled with scandal, just like W's and the rest!!! (read: Gov. Whatshisname) Wheres Ron Paul when ya need him??????

B: "Maybe he will see how bad our passenger rail system is and plug a few $$'s into upgrading and reparing the system. There is no reason why a 3rd world nation like France should have a passenger rail system far superior to the USA."

Hahahahaha....B, do you seriously think he is going to be riding the same train that you and I do to work? He will have no idea how bad the system is because he will be a in a deluxe custom coach car the whole time.

B: "Maybe he will see how bad our passenger rail system is and plug a few $$'s into upgrading and reparing the system. There is no reason why a 3rd world nation like France should have a passenger rail system far superior to the USA."

Hahahahaha....B, do you seriously think he is going to be riding the same train that you and I do to work? He will have no idea how bad the system is because he will be a in a deluxe custom coach car the whole time.

Yes, I frequently associate train riding as something in which only the most arrogant among us would even presume to engage. Hilarious. Jeanne, get a grip.

Jeanne and all others,

Having just read about the Ponzi scheme that bilked Wall Street of billions of dollars, I think it is ever more prescient that the President make an attempt to show serious leadership in what have become dark times. While this will largely require action, it will also require the assumption of a new ethic of responsibility within our nation. Meeting, and speaking to the American people in a more intimate setting must be a neccessary part of this. While Bush's "smoke 'em out" and "dead or alive" rhetoric may have saved the country money, it is hardly inspiring and hardly what this country needs. Also, my disgruntled yet misled countrymen, there is no better example of misspending than the past (Republican) administration. Sending cash in duffel bags over to Iraq on military aircraft, and handing it over to various Iraqi authorities without any sort of system of accountability seems to be a far greater fiscal crime than taking a train to an innaguration. Lets not forget how funding the unneccesary Iraq war left "No Child Left Behind" left way behind. Lets also not forget how the McCain campaign spent $200,000 in political donations on Sarah Palin's wardrobe.
Obama is trying to make sure that the American experiment doesn't end in this century. That Jeanne, Joe and Jopa is going to need a reinforcement of the values that made this country great, not just a focus on lower taxes and our right to carry assault rifles in the glove compartment.

It shows Obama is simple, not arrogant. Train is usually a cheap way to travel. Flying certainly is more extravagant.
He plays simple not arrogance. Let me ask do want him to walk from Illinois to Wa DC so that he is not seen as arrogant. no matter what he does, some people would think crazy and negative.

Nick, France isn't a third world country. Maybe if you actually went there and met some of the people (and watched them enjoying all of the FREEDOMS they and most other Europeans enjoy first-hand) you could get over being such a hater.

"Too bad the train couldn't stop in Hawaii so he could pick up a copy of his phony birth certificate."

You know I wondered for so long how people could still think that there's anything to the whole birth certificate/citizenship story (esp. after the conservative-controlled Supreme Court declined to hear one of these bogus citizenship appeals), but now it finally makes sense: if you think that trains could go over the ocean, you'll believe just about anything ;)

Taking a trip on the lollercoaster. I'm surprised it's even possible that a nation can last this long without (literally) ripping each other's face off.. kind of like people have been doing via these comments.

To Lynn: How can you possibly compare this cost to the cost of Bush's recent trip to Iraq? Bush was there supporting and recognizing our troops...oh forgot, that too is something Democrats know nothing about.

And to those of you saying that this will be paid for by campaign dollars, ask Liberty High School in Bethlehem, PA how easy it is to get money from these campaigns. They're still waiting for their check after hosting a campaign event.

Paying tribute to Lincoln is arrogant? Takes courage to brave assassination attempts and protests along the route along with what one assumes will be record crowds waving at the P-elect.

btw, does anyone here even know about the Presidential train? Should they not use it now after spending millions restoring and maintaining it while it lay ignored by so many presidents. Use it, have the inaugural committee pay for the trip and demur the costs of maintenance.

Oh boy Jeanne, and Kelly and Leah and Lynn and David W and AnnR and rooink and democracynow.

You've really stuck your foot in it this time.

You are all so ignorant - its that something like being arrogant?

These ideas to try and replace the current rail train as well as other sector of the transportation system with fastmoving one the French and British are using is just flushing money down the toilet.Why?,why we need those things we already have I don't see any good in replacing what is already working good and serve the public better.What the Obama administration need to do is STOP bailouts and teach people that are need teachable on how to run a business profitably,budgeting your income to meet your needs as an individual,a family or a business big or small,people in this country need lessons on control spending,dieting,savings for their future than wasting their hard earn money on unnecessary spending.Lower the prices on living condition like rents,mortgages,insurances,clothes and all type of wears and many other services that are ripping off the public everyday.

I am not enthralled with the idea of a Lincoln reenactment. When it came to selected Cabinet posts he did a good job. Carrying this far seems like showboating to me. Showboating is not intrinsically bad since if the theater is able to corral the Republicans into thinking about the country instead of their own agenda. An agenda which is presented in a way that it just causes obstruction and does not lead to legislation is not in the country's interest. So if Obama's stature can get them to cooperate, then showboating is for the good.

BHO is a joke, albeit a smooth one, and you all will see the error of your ways...cant wait to tell you all : I told you sooooooo! Now can some one on here who keeps blowing smoke up his arse tell me about his "change" ???? cause I see nothing but retreads coming down the tracks!!!!! this train ride is a joke too, c'mon you cant take this train ride and "movement' serioulsly.

Mike...how old are you????

You sound retarded...

I liked Thomas Friedman's idea of a hybrid vehicle parade, but short of that I wish the train stopped New York City

mike, so bitter...so ridiculous...so irrelevant.

mccain lost. get over it. president obama is here, thank god.

"Bush was there supporting and recognizing our troops...oh forgot, that too is something Democrats know nothing about."

Hey Joe: if you really think that Democrats don't care about our troops (disclosure: I'm a Democrat and I care very much about both of my cousins fighting in these BS wars) then you're either incredibly ignorant, a liar, or just stupid. Think before you write, or better yet don't write when you don't have a clue what you're talking about!!!

You and I ALL better "hope" we get (with Obama support) more and improved rail passenger service! (been to Germany lately?) OR you and I can 'rot on the 8-10 lane freeways every day for the rest of our careers! Add up 2-3 hours per day times 220 days/yr times 35 years!! Go figure...
It is so 'small to be critical of a train trip so others can see him on his special day......with the attlitude "not like me?...well you must be wrong then!) while we all 'cheer 'our stupid War.....started for nothing!! (Of course, we all Cheer the fine troops... but end the war!)