Obama’s 2nd inaugural seems an afterthought

This Nov. 28, 2012 file photo shows construction contining on Capitol Hill in Washington, on the viewing stand for President Barack Obama’s January’s Inauguration Day ceremonies. Four years ago, Barack Obama’s swearing-in drew a jubilant record crowd to the National Mall to witness history: the country’s first black president taking the oath of office. This time, the capital is pre-occupied with a looming economic crisis, exit from war and reshuffling in Congress. It’s almost as if Obama’s swearing in on the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday is a been-there-done-that moment. AP/J. Scott Applewhite, File

WASHINGTON— Four years ago, Barack Obama’s swearing-in drew a record crowd to Washington. There were 1.8 million people eager to witness history: the first U.S. black president taking the oath of office.

Now, as Obama prepares for his second-term kickoff, the capital is pre-occupied with a looming economic crisis, exit from war and a reshuffling in Congress. Ticket demand is lower. Hotels are far from booked. And from Congress to the White House, the upcoming festivities seem to be barely on anyone’s radar.

More muted inaugural celebrations are typical with every second presidential term. But it’s almost as if Obama’s swearing-in — on the holiday observing the birthday of civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. — is a been-there-done-that afterthought around town.

Perhaps Obama is a victim of his own historical significance. Perhaps it’s a sign of how far the nation has come, some 50 years after the March on Washington that drew a multitude of people calling for civil and economic rights for African-Americans.

Although inaugural planning and preparations are well under way, Obama’s advisers say they aren’t yet focusing on the swearing-in as they negotiate over the “fiscal cliff” automatic tax increases and budget cuts that will occur in January unless the White House reaches a compromise with Congress. Party planners haven’t made even the most basic of announcements yet, such as who will serve on Obama’s inaugural committee and how they will raise money. No plans are in the works for a star-studded concert like the one four years ago that kicked off the inaugural festivities.

The inauguration is thought of so little these days that there was even some confusion around the White House about when it would be held. Some aides said it would be Tuesday, Jan. 22, after the federal holiday observing King’s birthday.

In fact, the public ceremony will be on the holiday, Monday, Jan. 21 — a day set by a joint resolution of Congress months ago, before it was known who would be taking the oath. Obama’s second term automatically begins at noon on Jan. 20 under the 20th Amendment to the Constitution, and he’s planning a private swearing-in at the White House.

Work has begun on the platform where Obama will deliver his inaugural address. It has 1,600 seats for members of Congress, Supreme Court justices, governors, ambassadors representing nations around the world, military leaders and the families of the president and vice president.

It will be up to Obama to set the tone for the day, an important moment for him to capture the world’s attention in the midst of a vigorous debate over the country’s economic future, a looming fight over immigration and conflicts across the globe.

Congressional offices will distribute roughly 250,000 tickets for people to watch in front of the podium, with members of the public able to attend without tickets down the National Mall.

Demand for tickets is predictably down.

Sen. Dianne Feinstein, who oversaw the congressional inaugural committee four years ago, introduced legislation back then trying to prevent scalping of the free tickets online. She said her office received 8,000 requests for tickets the first day after the 2008 election. This time, her spokeswoman said she’s received 8,500 a month later.

Last time, the ticketed crowd included scores of celebrities, with Oprah Winfrey, MTV and Nickelodeon holding special broadcasts from the capital city.

An inaugural weekend concert at the Lincoln Memorial in 2009 featured appearances by Bruce Springsteen, Bono, Beyonce, Stevie Wonder, Jamie Foxx and Tiger Woods. No such event is planned this time.