Planning Washington's Big Party in Tough Economic Times

At a time when the auto industry pleads for federal aid, planners of the Michigan inaugural dinner dance have scaled back their event

WASHINGTON, D.C. (MCT) - As Washington gears up for a big night of inaugural balls, a delicate dance is taking place. Planners want to stage a splashy celebration worthy of the historic moment but are doing it in the midst of tough economic times, perhaps even as President-elect Barack Obama calls for sacrifice in his inaugural address.

"Anything too flashy or expensive, and the new presidency starts off on the wrong foot," said Steve Ellis of Taxpayers for Common Sense, a Washington watchdog group. "It would be difficult to call for sacrifice on the one hand and toast with Dom Perignon in the other."

Linda Douglass, spokeswoman for the inaugural committee, says planners are preparing for the most open, accessible, inclusive inauguration in recent history, noting that the National Mall will be open to anyone, regardless of whether they have a ticket.

Still, a debate rages on.

"This is no time to party," Janett Calland of Ohio, whose husband recently was laid off, wrote on presidential-inauguration.com. "It would be a real impressive gesture for President-elect Obama and Mrs. Obama to elect to cancel parties and balls considering the state of the economy of our country at this time. ... The masses are financially hurting, but the 'money crowd' is eating caviar and drinking champagne."

Donald Baker of Kentucky replied: "Obama shouldn't be denied his moment of celebration ... Lord knows the man is going to have his hands full enough soon."

City officials project that they could spend $40 million or more for the event, expected to draw a record turnout. That is separate from the millions that the inauguration committee will raise from private donors to pay for official balls and other expenses.

At a time when the auto industry pleads for federal aid, planners of the Michigan inaugural dinner dance have scaled back their event _ a simpler menu, black tie optional, biodegradable paper plates instead of china and no contributions from automakers.

"We need to be very sensitive to appearances," said Debbie Dingell, president of the Michigan State Society. Of scaling back on champagne, she said, "We won't have premium brand.

"There won't be shrimp, I'll be blunt," she added. "But Michigan is known for its whitefish, and we'll have whitefish."

Yet it's hard to hold back in a town that views the inauguration as its own version of the Oscars. Events include a celebrity-studded party planned by the Creative Coalition, with tickets starting at $10,000 per couple.