Obama's Inauguration Gets a Test Run

WASHINGTON – It was just a rehearsal for the real thing.

A band played "Hail to the Chief" at the west front of the Capitol in Washington and a swearing-in ceremony was followed by a helicopter flight — all part of a dry run for the presidential inauguration set for Jan. 20.

Stand-ins for President-elect Barack Obama and others took their places Sunday, and thousands marched along the parade route on Pennsylvania Avenue.

When the president-elect's name was announced, it was "Barack H. Obama" — not Barack Hussein Obama. During the campaign, Obama's middle name — common in the Middle East — was at times used as a negative by people opposed to his election.

An inaugural official referred questions about Obama's name to top organizers.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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