Just in from mingling with a happy but freezing crowd of Obama-fans. I have never seen this many people on Capitol Hill. Mostly smiles, but a lot of red noses and red, tired faces. The only thing that’s getting people down today is the 27 degree weather–a bitter cold front came in last night. Five hours outside today will depress just about anyone. At least the sun is shining, and Obama’s fans will surely revive at the sight of him in a few moments.

A lot of Obama hats and caps, buttons and flags (one with a yellow “44″ on a red background with Obama’s picture). A few odd and random sightings–at a distance, I spied one group parading Brazilian flags, for example. (Huh?)

Only the occasional “Arrest Bush” sign, although last night a rather ragged man on Pennsylvania Avenue asked me to sign a petition calling for prosecution of the exiting president. For the most part, that has been the exception. Something inside me is happy to see liberals sans the usual bitterness.

After the action is over, don’t even think about trying to get a cab. Most of the cabbies I’ve spoken to this week said they’re taking the day off–the crowds and the traffic restrictions are just too daunting. My fiancee listened to one cabbie negotiate a $250 fee in exchange for one day of driving. I’ll be fighting my way through the Metro this evening for my date with Canadian television–there’s no other way to travel today in old D.C.