Georgians ‘blown away’ at getting tickets to Obama swearing-in

Sherri James, of College Park, was likely one of the first people to request a ticket to the 2009 presidential inauguration in Washington, D.C. — nearly a year in advance.

As a result, the federal Social Security Office attorney was among the first to learn she’d be getting one of the much sought-after tickets.

“I am blown away that I got tickets,” James said. “After I saw Barack Obama in Iowa in January, I was like, ‘I’ve got to go.’”

Like James, several hundred Georgians found out last week that they would be attending the exclusive swearing-in ceremony, where Obama becomes the 44th president.

Georgia’s congressional delegation had to select from tens of thousands of requests, said Sheridan Watson, spokeswoman for Republican U.S. Sen. Johnny Isakson.

“Our office received over 20,000 requests from individuals asking for more than 100,000 actual tickets,” Watson said.

Isakson’s office had between 300 and 400 tickets to give away, and James was told last Monday she would get three.

“I’m taking one of my friends from here and my best friend from Georgetown [University],” she said.

Like Isakson, Rep. Hank Johnson (D-Ga.) selected recipients on a first-come, first-served basis, “as well as long-time community leaders from the district,” Johnson spokeswoman Carole Mumford said.

Johnson and other members of the U.S. House got 198 tickets each, Mumford said.

While Johnson officials began e-mailing recipients in the middle of last week, Republican U.S. Rep. Tom Price staffers were contacting ticket “winners” two weeks ago.

“We thought a lottery was the most judicious way” to determine which constituents tickets went to, said Price spokesman Brendan Buck.

Gary Woodward, legislative director for Democratic Congressman David Scott, said his staffers took a similar strategy.

“We didn’t want to punish people who didn’t come early,” Woodward said.

But the crushing demand for access to Obama’s swearing-in ceremony made a lot of work for congressional offices across the country.

“It was overwhelming,” said Woodward, who heads a D.C. staff of seven. “The phones were ringing off the hook the first few days after the election.”

Scott’s office received 6,000 requests. Atlanta’s Democratic Congressman John Lewis’ offices took more than 10,000 request, some coming in as early as February.

As of Friday, however, Lewis spokeswoman Brenda Jones said there was “no firm news, yet” of when ticket recipients would be identified.

Those who won’t receive tickets also have been notified in e-mail messages. But the Presidential Inaugural Committee has opened up the National Mall to accommodate the million or more people expected to show up on Jan. 20.

But for ticket holders like James, the premium seats are a godsend.

“I’m too blessed,” she said.