Stephen Hess, an expert on the presidency at the Brookings Institution, contended that Obama should not constrain his inaugural just because of the economy.
"In the Great Depression, everybody ran out to see Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers," he said. "People want to celebrate, want to dance, want an excuse to be happy."
"History teaches us that the party must go on," said Jim Bendat, Los Angeles-based author of "Democracy's Big Day: The Inauguration of our President 1789-2009." "The general feeling seems to be that for one night it's OK to have a big party."
Donna Brazile, who was Vice President Al Gore's presidential campaign manager in 2000, said it was important that Obama framed the transfer of power in just the right way.
"There are many ways to plan this celebration so it is not just seen as a festive celebration but a celebration of service, of people coming together from all walks of life," she said. "I think they are going to set the right tone and it will be a combination of the traditional and understanding it's a very important moment in our country's history."
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richard.simon@latimes.com
jzuckman@tribune.com
