The inaugural event is noteworthy because the Obama support is not limited to personality-cult BS but is a popular celebrity phenomenon and look at the situation with the inauguration next year, in that hordes of people, hordes, have to be turned away, fighting over tickets is stronger than any entertainment event to date, and contributions have to be limited because they're being offered in large amounts. There's never been any degree of popularity about an inaugural event before like that. I'm hoping to be there and see not only how large the crowds are, but what their complexion is like. (Mainly kids, or lefties of all ages like the anti-war protests, or broader cross section of society?)

As to what role Biden will play, being absent is typical for the VP over the ages, so I don't think we can slam Biden for that, though again it's probably in some measure to keep him from saying additional buffoonish things in public. I'd prefer a strong role for the VP, making him or her the nation's principal domestic policy official (the super-governor who meets with governors and state governments routinely, for example, or who might be sent to locations in the country of current importance, even including disaster sites, making it a strong, not a weak, springboard to the Presidency) but this is preference that may not be shared by others. It's perfectly normal if he disappears for four years beginning next year. (Or for less than four, with Hillary Clinton poised to take over eventually, as I have said elsewhere.)

That's right. I agree that's what the developing Obama administration is doing.

I think if McCain had won he would have suspended his search for a transition team in order to deal with the economic crisis. Palin would have been doing her own bit to stimulate the economy by shopping for her inauguration gown and diamonds and pearls, which would have been funded by the “McCain/Palin Inauguration Committee”, co-chaired by Mike Kowalski (chairman of Tiffany's) and Steve Sadove (chair of Saks). ANd Palin would be regaling them with stories about chasing down and hunting animals from helicopters, while eating mooseburger canapes.

Probably at the Capitol where, at last check, he was still a Senator.

Yes I agree. I'd like to add that it makes no sense to me to wonder about Biden's disappearance with relation to the Sec of State position…. there will always be a Sec. of State and there will always be a VP. Just like Obama will have many other advisors on foreign policy.

Besides, Obama and Biden aren't even in office yet. I'm not sure what else Joe the VP elect is supposed to be doing…. It's not like Obama is going to have Biden make the announcements on Obama's cabinet and administration picks. And since everyone is looking to Obama for leadership during this time (since Bush has checked out for the most part) I don't think Obama would delegate any portion of that to Biden. Obama needs to come across as being “present” and in control of the situation. So I agree with you that Biden is just settling in to the VP (elect) position, which is to step in as prez if Obama becomes incapacitated.

Your point about Biden's strength in foreign policy during the campaign is important. Obama said during the campaign that he would consult with Biden on foreign policy. But it also shows that Obama's potential replacement has the necessary gravitas to be prez,

I'm not sure what the public expects of Biden as VP elect and why people are concerned he is disappearing…. I suspect that everyone is ready to get rid of Cheney, too…. Since Obama is acting like a leader people want to see (or perhaps they expect to see) Biden doing vice presidential stuff, just like Obama is being asked to take a leadership role as prez. It would be nice if Obama and Biden could be in office now, but that's not going to happen.