An interesting little factoid for your amusement.
This time around Inauguration Day (Jan 20th 2013) falls on a Sunday, this happens about once every 28 yrs. Tradition is they hold a private ceremony at the White House on Sunday then have the public one on Monday the 21st.
In the past (1985 and 1957) it wasn’t a big deal because an incumbent President (Reagan and Eisenhower respectively) were being sworn in so it was a continuation of an administration.
If Obama wins (and he does have a slight edge I think) then it would be the same thing.
But if Romney wins (quite possible) then they will have some interesting logistical and ceremonial things to deal with.
First, they *must* swear in Romney on January 20th. That is in the Constitution and there is no option.
But where do Romney and Obama live on the 20th ? Does Obama get an extra day in the White House while Romney lives across the street at Blair House or vice versa ?
I’d guess from a logistical standpoint it would be easier to move Romney in on the 21st but who knows.
Also, what do they do on the 21st ?
Normally at a transition ceremony the outgoing POTUS gets one last rendering of honors and the new gets his first.
But Obama would no longer be President, Romney would, and thus protocol would say only Romney gets Hail To The Chief, Obama gets honors of a former POTUS but not HTTC.
Not a big deal but I thought an interesting thing to ponder that can hopefully be non political…. (hopefully)