Those in attendance seemed eager (the biggest understatement I have made in my entire life) to see the second swearing-in of President Clinton. But in their zeal to participate, they missed the real point of the day.
The man they professed to admire called for increased responsibility of Americans to their neighbors and spoke of his vision for a grander community, but the crowd offered the antithesis of Clinton's vision throughout the day.
The inaugural morning dawned viciously cold. Even before the sun was up, hundreds of thousands of people lined up outside security road blocks en route to the Capitol. Thousands more lined Pennsylvania and Constitution avenues in hopes of catching a glimpse of the president in the Inaugural Parade.
They were bundled in their best red, white and blue wool and a melange of fur coats (seriously, I have never seen so much fur in one place). Some spoke of their hopes for "progress." Others bemoaned Republican control of Congress.
While waiting in yet another security line, they praised President Clinton and his plans for the nation. A huge single-file line winded down the sidewalk at every post. People stomped their feet and complained to the guards about the wait.
All this happened around 7:30 a.m., almost five hours before Clinton took the oath.
In one of the many displays of poor organization I witnessed, the guards decided to peel back the fencing at 7:35 a.m. and instead of directing the line in an orderly fashion, they just said, "Go on up."
The frenzied people rushed out of line and literally stampeded their way to the seating area. They ran. They pushed. One man ran zooming his elderly mother up a hill in a wheelchair.
It became a survival-of-the-fastest situation.
Those left behind in the fray screamed in panicked voices, "No!!!" I saw several people stumble and fall in their surge to get closer.
People shook their fists and yelled at the people passing them. I felt like I was in some bizarre European soccer riot. The ranting throng was not the stuff of the inauguration I had envisioned.
After people gasped their way through the security X-rays and metal detectors and ran even farther, they scurried to the best seats they could find.
Then they waited some more.
They sat in huddled balls, blowing on their hands and trying to cover their feet with purses for warmth. But so devout was their will to see the president that they sat in deep freeze, willing to brave the bitter wind and pain of the stinging cold just to be part of the moment.
People hundreds of yards from the speaker's podium fought for position all through the invocation, the vocal performances, the vice president's oath, and Clinton's oath and speech. As Clinton stressed America's coming together, those in the audience seemed not to understand what it meant.
As Clinton called for greater responsibility of Americans for each other, spectators demonstrated their so-called concern for their neighbors. The president was but a spot of gray hair in the distance; no one that far away could see anything near the podium. But people yelled expletives and commands at those in front like "Sit down, bitch."
"Sit down bitch?" I've seen better-behaved crowds at professional wrestling matches.
The onlookers sighed heavily, telling those in front of them to lean one way or another. Those in front invited those behind them to kiss their asses.
It was a heartwarming scene.
Did they think that their behavior was the grand vision for the next millennium?
Even after the speech (which they applauded as being wonderful and inspiring), the crowd made no attempt to lend a giving hand to their fellow Americans. They elbowed their way to the parade route. They shoved and crammed themselves on narrow walkways. One old man next to me said he thought he might be standing on someone.
Once they claimed a spot, people still found outlets for aggression. Some yelled at anti-abortion protesters, informing them that the 6 year olds in the crowd did not need to see graphic photos of aborted fetuses. The protesters told the parents that the photos were the reality of their 6 year olds' America. I saw several shoving matches break out as a result of these exchanges.
One congresswoman with whom I spoke told me inaugural weekend was about transcending party lines and celebrating a renewal of the nation, celebrating a commitment to work together. Clinton's speech seemed to ask for utopian efforts to bridge party gaps, to treat others as you'd like to be treated.
The ugly realities of the day were far from the ideals set forth in the inaugural address.
Apparently the way to get across the "Bridge to the 21st Century" is to step on the backs of someone you elbow in line.
- Jennifer Harvey can be reached via e-mail at jenkat@umich.edu
SARA STILLMAN/Daily
Rep. Lynn Rivers (D-Ann Arbor) discusses her hopes for the 105th Congress
In her new Washington office, Rep. Debbie Stabenow (D-Lansing) shares her impressions of the presidential inauguration. (right).