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Inauguration Tickets in High Demand

The senator overseeing Barack Obama's swearing-in ceremony says she's writing to Internet sites asking them not to sell scalped inauguration tickets. Sen. Dianne Feinstein, wants to make it a crime of selling tickets to the historic event.

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"We have received thousands of requests from folks across the commonwealth," said Charlie Kelly, Kaine's political director. "In fact, the day after the election, the voice mail at the office was completely full. That has never happened before."

Kelly said Kaine does not know how many tickets he will get to hand out but added that the governor "will be as helpful as possible" in fielding the requests.

Democrat Frank M. Kratovil, who finally won a seat in Maryland's 1st Congressional District yesterday after a close race, said: "I would certainly probably start with volunteers. It is interesting that the first issue I have to deal with is a procedural one relating to that -- how to distribute tickets."

People calling Republican offices on Capitol Hill aren't having much luck, either. Sens. Richard G. Lugar (R-Ind.) and Jeff Sessions (R-Ala.) are no longer taking requests, their Web sites say.

Online ticket brokers, meanwhile, are positioning themselves to make a profit. GreatSeats.com is asking $495 to $1,724 for tickets to the inaugural parade -- which also have not been distributed. Bleacher seats typically are ticketed; standing room is free.

Those interested in buying tickets for one of the official balls are told to leave their e-mail addresses so they can be contacted when tickets become available. One post on Craigslist says it will have "2 mall standing area tickets" for the swearing-in ceremony. The tickets, priced at $1,400, would be "delivered to your home or hotel by the day before" the inauguration, the posting says.

Feinstein said this week that she is drafting legislation to make it a federal crime to sell the tickets.

News of that proposal was met with disdain by Danny Matta, owner of Beltsville-based GreatSeats.com. "She has plenty of time on her hands, doesn't she?" Matta said. "Is this really what the government has come down to?"

Rather than turning to online brokers, some congressional staffers are encouraging constituents to attend events that don't require tickets. There is talk of organizing free events, in addition to standing room on the parade route.

Norton has urged Obama's advisers to hold events at sites such as the Verizon Center, the Washington Convention Center, RFK Stadium, FedEx Field and other venues. Van Hollen said he is encouraging Obama's staff to find "creative ways" to include as many people as possible in the festivities.

And, just to add some intrigue, it is always possible that more space could open up on the ticketing front. But don't count on it just yet.

Carole Florman, a spokeswoman for the congressional committee, said more tickets could be printed. That's "certainly one possibility," she said. "Printing the tickets isn't the problem. It's where do you put the people?"

Staff writers Tim Craig, Rosalind S. Helderman, Michael E. Ruane and Nikita Stewart contributed to this report.