Ianuguration Hype Falls Flat: Organizers For Balls Slashing Ticket Prices To Pump Up Attendance

As we all watch the media hype The One’s inauguration today (he’s bringing the country together!) it’s worth noting that the significance and public appreciation of this event, relative to the inaugurations of past Presidents, seems to be almost entirely in the minds of the talking heads.
In terms of ticket sales for inaugural balls, Obama’s swearing in is a bit of a flop:

If you nabbed a ticket to one of the official balls sponsored by the Presidential Inaugural Committee tonight, you’re fine. But some of the other high-profile parties have been canceled or are still scrambling to cut costs and sell last-minute tickets, leaving ballgoers disappointed or out in the cold.
The People’s Ball at the Grand Hyatt announced a blue-light special yesterday: Tickets slashed $100 — to $250! The American Music Ball, hosted by Dionne Warwick, which planned two big-name events at the Marriott Wardman Park, was scrambling to sell enough tickets ($450 for the Legends ball with George Clinton, Chaka Khan and the Temptations; $350 for the Urban ball with Ludacris, Fantasia, and Cedric the Entertainer) for the show to go on — and it wasn’t looking good last night, said sources.

Add this to previous news about hotels still trying to fill rooms for the inauguration, and the inauguration “housing bubble” popping, it becomes clear that while the adoring media and beltway elite may be enamored with Obama most people would rather just stay home.
As usual, the perception the media creates isn’t exactly matching up with reality.