At the Galas, a Familiar Refrain

Bassist Dusty Hill of ZZ Top is scheduled to perform at inaugural festivities.

At certain points during the fling, Bush is sure to remind us that we're safer and happier and better off than we were four years ago, and for a few mid-January days we might even feel it. He will dance a little with his wife, Laura, and slap contributors' backs and buss blondes' cheeks and smirk-grin for photo ops at every turn. And you can be sure that at some point some singer on some stage at some soiree is going to launch into Lee Greenwood's "God Bless the U.S.A."

The whole affair, says Schmitt, will cost $35 million to $40 million.

The best way to get your head around the overabundant display is to think in threes. Three full days of ceremony and celebration -- Jan. 18, 19 and 20. Three committees -- presidential, congressional and military. Three balls at different sites (plus six more at the Convention Center). Three candlelight dinners Jan. 19 for major donors.

The inauguration has only two announced themes, however. The congressional committee says the official slogan is "A Vision of America." The presidential committee decided on "Celebrating Freedom, Honoring Service." What do the plans tell us about the psyche of the Big Guy?

He drapes himself in patriotism. Granted, he's not the first. The military has been involved in American inaugurations since 1789. The Armed Forces Inaugural Committee -- composed of soldiers, sailors, Marines, airmen and members of the Coast Guard -- was first employed in 1953 for President Dwight Eisenhower. "Ceremonial support is our message," says Tech. Sgt. Pamela Smith, committee spokeswoman. "Logistics are still being worked."

Bush and Vice President Cheney will observe a military flyover during the Celebration of Freedom on the Ellipse the day before the swearing-in and review the troops during the inaugural parade, Smith says. The parade will be a stream of military bands, caissons rolling along, Civil War reenactors, motorcycle-riding guards, as well as more than 10,000 other participants, including high school and college bands, marching cowboys from Florida and the Culver Black Horse Troop & Equestriennes from Indiana.

This will be a sweet victory celebration for Bush. A long, orderly antidote to the chaos and rancor in the country. Bush will be the everyman for everything, and everyone will be everything to him. With the nation's heart and might parading before him, the doubts and vagaries of his younger years will be erased. He can savor his sweep of the Democrats and bask in his final inaugural glory. Dad will be proud. For one carefully orchestrated moment, one Rockwellian street scene, the country will appear harmonious and unified. That is why people love these predictable and pricey quadrennial rituals.

We are at war. So for the first time there will be a Commander-in-Chief Ball -- at the National Building Museum -- to pump up the troops and their families. And give the president a chance to pose with warriors, look like one of them, be one.

Television fixture Kelsey Grammer will emcee a salute-to-the-military concert at MCI Center on the afternoon of Day 1 (Jan. 18) featuring family-friendly entertainers Gloria Estefan and John Michael Montgomery. For some wild-haired reason, boxing (and self-) promoter Don King is scheduled to be there. Perhaps to point out that Bush can be pugnacious. When he has to be.

The inauguration will reflect the playful side of Bush as well. At the unofficial Texas State Society Black Tie & Boots ball, a corral full of Texas good old boys -- accent on old -- such as ZZ Top and Lyle Lovett will remind us that Bush once drank beer.

And Bush's nickname-dropping, quick-draw-quipping joie de vivre is reflected in the youth concert, "America's Future Rocks Today: A Call to Service," slated for Jan. 18 at the D.C. Armory. Bush's daughter Barbara -- who is one minute older than her twin, Jenna -- is planning the concert. Confirmed entertainers include teeny-bopping belters JoJo and Hilary Duff. Kid Rock is a maybe.

So, based on what we know about the inauguration, what will the next four years be like? More replay than live action; more rerun than new show. Everything will be by the book -- and the book will be an expensive coffee table tome filled with well-choreographed photos of the Bush family and fan club.

"From the Inaugural Ball themes to the Bible chosen for the swearing-in ceremony," the official inaugural Web site reiterates, "each inauguration develops its own style."

This one is pure Bush. Even the surprises will probably be predictable. The inauguration Web site -- which also presumably reflects the president's personality -- reports that "the President and First Lady only attend the official balls." But the Bushes may show up at the unofficial, open-to-the-public Black Tie & Boots Ball, where some tickets are going for upward of $1,000 apiece. They did last time.

Staff writers Sean Daly and Ann Gerhart contributed to this report.