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Originally Posted by Yorkiekids  He's the first President that walked the parade since 1972. |
By Scripps Howard News Service
January 18, 2009
WASHINGTON — Speculation is buzzing about one of the first high-profile decisions Barack Obama will make after taking the oath of office — whether he will walk down Pennsylvania Avenue to the White House.
Since Jimmy Carter and his wife, Rosalynn, strolled down the entire avenue to the White House in 1977 after his swearing-in, all but one subsequent president has also left the limo at least for a stretch in what has become a symbolic "man of the people" gesture.
Ronald Reagan was the only one who didn't. In 1981, he traveled the 1½ miles in an open car, in deference to his age. His 1985 inauguration parade was canceled because of icy conditions and bitter wind.