Inauguration: CNN contemplates an inaugural slumber party

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Note to CNN correspondents: It looks like you may need to break out that long underwear next week.

Getting scores of television reporters in place around Washington to cover Tuesday’s presidential inauguration won’t be easy, especially if the massive crowd projections turn out to be true.

“If you get 2 or 3 million people here, not only will it be the largest event we’ve ever covered, but some things we take for granted will be impossible,” said David Bohrman, CNN’s Washington bureau chief. “Can you even get around? Will there be human gridlock?”

Like its competitors, CNN plans nearly round-the-clock coverage of the day’s events, beginning at 2 a.m. PT. Bohrman said the cable news channel will have as many as 50 live cameras situated around the city, including a bus outfitted with a 50-foot crane that will be parked by the Washington Monument.

“We’re putting cameras where we’ve never had them before,” he said. “This is a very complicated endeavor.”

Along with bringing cots into the bureau for employees, Bohrman said he’s considering dispatching correspondents to their stand-up locations Monday night to ensure they have time to get into place for Tuesday’s coverage.

“It’s possible we will ask folks to spend the night Monday,” he said. “We’re trying to make sure we have resources and capability where we need to be.”

-- Matea Gold