Inaugural platform construction begins: the countdown to the end of the Bush administration

The inauguration of a new president is not until Jan. 20, 2009. For those who are counting, that's 119 days away.

But Congress isn't taking any chances.

So Wednesday, on the west steps of the U.S. Capitol, members of the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies plan to hold the traditional First Nail Ceremony.

No, the First Nail Ceremony is not a reference the nail polish that might be worn to match the lipstick of any number of the participants.

Rather, the First Nail Ceremony marks the start of construction on the inaugural platform where the 44th President of the United States will be sworn in. A similar ceremony was held to prep the platform for the 43rd POTUS in 2000, as evident above from the hammers of Democratic Sen. Christopher Dodd of Connecticut and Republican Sen. Mitch McConnell of Kentucky.

During Wednesday's kickoff ceremony, California Sen. Dianne Feinstein, who chairs the committee, and the acting architect of the Capitol will, according to the press release, "hammer nails into a plank on the site of the platform that when completed will hold approximately 1,600 people," including members of the Senate and House, Cabinet members and nominees, Supreme Court justices, former presidents and the president- and vice president-elect and their families.

With that load of heavyweights, they might want to reinforce the wood with steel.

-- Johanna Neuman

Photo credit: Stephen Jaffee / AFP

Comments

[Tim B]

"No, the First Nail Ceremony is not a reference the nail polish that might be worn to match the lipstick of any number of the participants."

"A similar ceremony was held to prep the platform for the 43rd POTUS in 2000, as evident above from the hammers of Democratic Sen. Christopher Dodd of Connecticut and Republican Sen. Mitch McConnell of Kentucky."

Are you sure you're a real journalist?

[VoteGreen]

Looks like Dodd better move his hand quick, before McConnell smashes it! OUCH!!!