City’s abuzz

Gene Fitzpatrick, of Spokane, said he did get in to U.S. Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers’ office and got his tickets for the swearing-in ceremony. They came out of the congressional office buildings in one of the few periods of sunshine, he reports.

“It’s just a sea of people. There are hundreds of thousands of people out on the mall,” he said.

The Jumbotrons are being tested, so the crowd has an idea of what they’ll be able to see on Tuesday, he said. Despite the crowds, and the long wait some of them had to pick up their tickets, everyone seems to be in great spirits.

“It’s really pretty amazing. The city’s just abuzz.”

He’s staying in an RV at American University, where hundreds of out-of-state police officers are staging to help provide extra security for Tuesday’s events.

Update: A photo from Fitzpatrick’s visit is now posted.