If FOX NEWS reported 2 million people in DC for the inauguration,

[NYC_SKP]

Well, that's good enough for me! :rofl:

The DC mayor's office said 1.8 million, the Park Service does not dispute that number:

"Authorities for years have been wary of estimating crowd sizes for events on the Mall, but numbers poured forth yesterday -- including from D.C. Mayor Adrian M. Fenty's office. In radio interviews, Fenty (D) cited the 1.8 million figure, which eclipses the 1.2 million official tally from the 1965 inauguration of Lyndon Johnson."

"The 1.8 was communicated out to the mayor's office and other agencies," she said.
The National Park Service, which has been barred from making estimates since its count of 400,000 at the 1995 Million Man March drew the threat of a lawsuit, issued a statement yesterday saying it would "not contest" the 1.8 million estimate. "We do firmly believe that the crowd that was there was the biggest crowd ever, and I think that's what people are most interested in," Park Service spokesman David Barna said. "We don't have anything that suggests there was ever a bigger crowd."

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/01/21/AR2009012103884_pf.html

You may have heard that LOTS of folks trying to lowball the number, or say nothing, but I found this on FOX of all places:

With 2 million people in Washington for President Obama's historic inauguration Tuesday, who had the best seat in the house? Perhaps the most scenic vantage was from high in the air -- extremely high.

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2009/01/21/satellite-imagery-shows-inauguration-space/

:patriot:

[defendandprotect]

1. Was reading something from attendees which said probably 4 million . ..

Don't know what people here at DU are reporting --

but some people in area of DC said they commuted early -- 4:30 am -- and were tired

down in Metro for hours just to get to DC!! Stop and go.

And if I remember correctly, bathrooms closed in Union Station --

and Porta-Johns padlocked???

Many also were kept in lines for three hours -- and many never permitted to get to their

Bleecher seats/$500??? -- evidently TV showed many empty Bleecher seats---???

Also long journey home -- three hours?

Seems that Obama teams handled Inauguration -- but Bush/Cheney handled the crowd control

and public access issues???

THIS is why I tend to think also that Roberts tried to screw Obama up with the oath.

[Posteritatis]

3. They were expecting "up to" 4 million; that's probably it (nt)

[LynneSin]

2. Remember not everyone made it to the Mall

Some went directly to the parade setup first.

I think there was probably well over 2 million.

[Posteritatis]

4. In the sat pics you can see pretty big crowds on the side streets

Apparently the Canadian embassy was handing out drinks; they're almost next to the capitol. Hee.

[NYC_SKP]

7. Me too, not counting those not in "designated areas" or off the mall proper is...

...one of the tricks to keep the estimates down, by those who don't want to be truthful about it.

[4lbs]

5. I also submit that Obama's inauguration was the most watched in history.

Some are claiming that it is second to Reagan's and site 38 million versus 42 million for Reagan in the Nielsen ratings.

Well, the issue is that the viewer estimate doesn't include the hundreds of thousands or even millions that were watching it at viewing parties or coffee clatches and the like. Or even at their place of business. Then there is the easy Internet streaming access. I believe when those people are factored in, it will be determined that President Obama's inauguration was the most watched in US history, and definitely the most watched of a US President in world history.

[NYC_SKP]

9. No doubt about that, and worldwide I'd bet it's double or more than past. nt

[seaker]

6. Evidence

I tried to stream the inauguration into my classroom and couldn't access. The demand exceeded what the net could serve...For the rest of the day the net was full of folks reaching out in a sincere effort to witness an authentic pivotal moment. Thrilling and quantifiable. Just ask Fox!

[NYC_SKP]

8. Hey seaker!

Welcome to DU! :hi:

[seaker]

10. Thanks, NYC_SKP

What is/does the name removed thing mean?

[LiberalFighter]

11. Charles Gibson stated nearly 1.5 million and then graphics displayed 1.9 million.

He should had said nearly 2 million under those circumstances. But of course he is a dickhead.