Inaugurations too close to coronations, Paul Boller says
Inaugurations have become like coronations, according to historian Paul F. Boller, Jr., author of the book "Presidential Inaugurations".
"Sometimes I've gotten the feeling that inaugurations are like crowning a king," Boller told me in an interview. "Inaugural ceremonies have become too elaborate over the years. I could live without all that, making it into such a magnificent ceremony."
But Boller, Professor Emeritus of History, Texas Christian University (TCU) in Fort Worth concedes, "Apparently, American people like it elaborate -- the poems, the singing, invocation, benediction, parades."
He added that he's "really looking forward to the Obama inauguration. That'll be something exceptional."
The historian praised Thomas Jefferson who talked of "'republican simplicity', and didn't want Presidents to be like Kings. I'm in that corner."
"The Constitution has meager instructions about inaugurations, and the oath of office is only a handful of words. Most of the inaugural ceremony is improvised."
His book "Presidential Inaugurations" is a fascinating anecdotal history from George Washington to George W. Bush....
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"Sometimes I've gotten the feeling that inaugurations are like crowning a king," Boller told me in an interview. "Inaugural ceremonies have become too elaborate over the years. I could live without all that, making it into such a magnificent ceremony."
But Boller, Professor Emeritus of History, Texas Christian University (TCU) in Fort Worth concedes, "Apparently, American people like it elaborate -- the poems, the singing, invocation, benediction, parades."
He added that he's "really looking forward to the Obama inauguration. That'll be something exceptional."
The historian praised Thomas Jefferson who talked of "'republican simplicity', and didn't want Presidents to be like Kings. I'm in that corner."
"The Constitution has meager instructions about inaugurations, and the oath of office is only a handful of words. Most of the inaugural ceremony is improvised."
His book "Presidential Inaugurations" is a fascinating anecdotal history from George Washington to George W. Bush....