Oxford developer, Blake Tartt is with Will Norton, Jr., Dean of the Meek School of Journalism and New Media, and other notables to take in the festivities at the Newseum in Washington. He said he is amazed by the experience.
He said that last night, he and Norton sat next to Governor Snyder of Michigan at dinner at Mastro’s steakhouse and had a cocktail with Governor Haywood of Indiana after dinner.
He said early this morning from his Washington hotel “the experience of the Inauguration is almost impossible to describe.”
“To be able to sit in the Overby boardroom and see the swearing in makes one realize just how powerful Ole Miss is and makes me more thankful than ever that I attended Ole Miss,” he added.
“Seeing the president in his suit playing with his dog on the White House lawn, walking down Pennsylavania Avenue to see the Capitol and hearing the choir practicing patriotic songs to be performed today, just surreal,” he said.
Oxford resident, Steve Vassallo, a HottyToddy.com contributor, is also in Washington, D.C. with his wife, Rosie, who is Retirement Director for Oxford-Lafayette County Chamber & Economic Development Foundation. Rosie said “security is unbelievably tight.”
Tartt and the Vassallos are in the thick of it and are among the notables attending the Inauguration.
“I was ecstatic to run into Katrina Pierson from Texas who was a national spokesperson for the Trump organization during the campaign, yesterday,” Vassallo said.
“I had a 10-minute conversation with Kellyanne Conway [senior advisor to President-Elect Trump] and visited with Jake Tapper [CNN anchor and chief Washington correspondent] as well,” Tartt said.
According to Vassallo, security is “unbelievable.” He relayed that on the Metro this morning they passed numerous guards and protesters everywhere.
“We have no concerns about security. It is so tight, I’ve probably never been in a more secure environment. Everywhere you look, police, national guard or some sort of security is present. It is gong to be an interesting day to say least,” said Vassallo.
The Vassallos had dinner at a steakhouse across from the capitol last night. Vassallo said,
“CNN was having a party there,” Vassallo said. “Tonight we are attending a special dinner tonight in Virginia with the ‘Mighty American Strike Force,” a group of about 1,500 Texas volunteers who went to the key battleground states in the last weeks of the election.”
‘The whole thing is such an amazing experience for the country,” Vassallo said. “I believe boycotting the Inauguration is an insult to the United States and our democracy.”
Blake Tartt
“No matter if you are a Republican or a Democrat, this is America,” Tartt said. “It is an unbelievable feeling. I walked right up to the Capitol to see it all decorated. The choir was practicing, great patriotic music going on.”
Tartt said he walked over to the White House yesterday and Obama was walking aroundin a suit in the yard with his dog on his last day.
“I wonder what he was thinking on his last day,” Tartt said.
Tartt relayed that he was also near the National Press Club where some of the demonstrations were taking place.
“But the whole atmosphere, talking with Kellyanne Conway, spending time with Jake Tapper has been amazing so far,” Tartt said. “It was a very euphoric feeling to see the monument, Jefferson memorial, to walk down Pennsylvania Avenue, all those great places. It makes you realize how great this country really is.”
Tartt concurred with Vassallo’s point that security is everywhere. Snipers were spotted on of the White House, helicopters, and by 5 p.m. Thursday, all streets had been shut down.
When Tartt was speaking to HottyToddy.com this monring, he was on his way to the Overby Board Room at the Newseum to watch the Inaguration.
Tartt added, “I have been to superbowls, the Indy and almost every event you can imagine, but this by far this trumps all of them. One of the greatest experiences you will ever have. Almost had to describe. Makes you feel good to be an American.
After having just returned from Europe, Tartt said, “This is the greatest place in the world, we have no idea how lucky we are.”
For questions or comments, email hottytoddynews@gmail.com.
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