WASHINGTON, D.C. - It’s been 20 years since MSU Trustee Donald Nugent has attended a presidential inauguration.
But Saturday’s swearing-in of President-elect Bush, and the surrounding events, makes this year’s festivities far different than when President Reagan took office in 1981, he says.
“They’re very different,” Nugent said Thursday night, shortly after arriving at a glitzy gala for Energy Secretary nominee and former U.S. Sen. Spence Abraham. “Number one, there wasn’t enough time to plan this inauguration.”
Laughing, he said there’s an advantage to having a presidential election that was undecided until more than a month after polls closed.
“Economically, this one is cheaper. Not as many tickets were sold,” said Nugent, who will be in Washington until Sunday evening.
The Republican trustee, of Frankfort, Mich., traveled to the nation’s capital with his wife, Gail.
The four-day trip will be a whirlwind of sorts for Nugent, who attended five receptions Thursday night. He is slated to attend several more galas before returning to Michigan.
“But we’ll be back Sunday in time for the basketball game against Ohio State,” he assured. “I certainly wouldn’t miss that.”
Timing aside, the trustee said Michigan residents, specifically, have reason to take special interest in the president-elect’s administration.
Abraham, of Auburn Hills, underwent his first day of appointment hearings Thursday. He’s expected to be confirmed as Energy Secretary - a crucial post recently with California experiencing rolling blackouts.
“We in Michigan are so fortunate to have Abraham” in line for a major Cabinet position, he said.
Prior to arriving at Abraham’s gala, which was sponsored by Lt. Gov. Dick Posthumus, Nugent took time to witness what he called a spectacular fireworks show that closed the Inaugural Opening Celebration early Thursday evening.
The sky was lit for at least 10 minutes, with fireworks being shot off at four points in downtown Washington, including near the Lincoln Memorial, where the performance stage was set up and the Washington Monument.
“I truly wish every American could see an inauguration ceremony,” Nugent said. “If this doesn’t make you want to stand up and wave an American flag, then you should check yourself into Olin Health Center.”
Tony Paul can be reached at paulanth@msu.edu.
