Obama Inaugural: Ticket Peddling, Beyoncé & Million Dollar Donations

Ceremony shaping up for the second swearing in of nation’s first black president

As more news emerges about the second inauguration of President Barack Obama, the details are certainly a lesson in success for event planners. For starters, the Presidential Inaugural Committee on Wednesday announced that hit-makers Beyoncé and Kelly Clarkson will perform some of the country’s most patriotic songs during the ceremony, scheduled for Monday, Jan. 21. The big names joining the inaugural event perhaps explain why ticket peddlers are already selling the normally free tickets on eBay and Craigslist for up to $2,000 apiece. Organizers are trying to clamp down on the black market of inaugural tickets, which are distributed by members of Congress, either on a first-come-first-served basis or by lottery. About 250,000 tickets were issued to lawmakers for handout. Obama, through his committee, seems to have gone back on a pledge to limit the influence of money in politics. Inaugural event organizers are soliciting as much as $1 million from federal contractors and businesses for VIP access. Big donors are said to include AT&T, Microsoft, and a business that selling inauguration merchandise. (AP + Reuters)

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