Washington sets the stage for Obama
![Violinist Itzhak Perlman, left, and cellist Yo-Yo Ma rehearse on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol in preparation for Tuesday's swearing-in ceremony.](https://ca-times.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/bca532f/2147483647/strip/true/crop/586x410+0+0/resize/586x410!/quality/75/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F7d%2F5c%2F1289be748461582552bd934065e1%2Flat-prep-kdqdblnc.jpg)
Violinist Itzhak Perlman, left, and cellist Yo-Yo Ma rehearse on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol in preparation for Tuesday’s swearing-in ceremony. (Jae C. Hong / Associated Press)
![Inaugural stand](https://ca-times.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/7d87272/2147483647/strip/true/crop/586x353+0+0/resize/586x353!/quality/75/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F66%2F2a%2F1f8290260e6b634f669e3cbe786d%2Flat-prep-kdq5brnc.jpg)
The presidential inaugural stand is set up in front of the U.S. Capitol. (Alex Wong / Getty Images)
![Security](https://ca-times.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/d3c0205/2147483647/strip/true/crop/586x437+0+0/resize/586x437!/quality/75/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F3a%2F94%2F7fd1b0fb306a98e0f8102a614309%2Flat-prep-kdqb7jnc.jpg)
A member of the security force keeping watch at the U.S. Capitol ahead of the presidential inauguration. (John Moore / Getty Images)
![Inaugural Preparations](https://ca-times.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/5df7b75/2147483647/strip/true/crop/586x377+0+0/resize/586x377!/quality/75/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F7f%2Ffc%2Feb1b6a2d1ef29fd250ff5a518dad%2Flat-prep-kdq8xjnc.jpg)
On Monday, preparations continued for Tuesday’s presidential inauguration, including the stage and sound system. (Chip Somodevilla / Getty Images)
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![Parade route](https://ca-times.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/dd27de3/2147483647/strip/true/crop/586x383+0+0/resize/586x383!/quality/75/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F54%2F04%2F0530b34f14b94adaf0e412258576%2Flat-prepsoldier-kdqfssnc.jpg)
Soldiers walk along the inaugural parade route near the
![Washington Monument](https://ca-times.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/75f27a7/2147483647/strip/true/crop/586x246+0+0/resize/586x246!/quality/75/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F05%2Fdd%2F5b86f47cb88d2925304912fd7021%2Flat-prep-kdqbq9nc.jpg)
Visitors walk in the National Mall near the Washington Monument a day before the presidential inauguration. (Charlie Neibergall / Associated Press)
![Inauguration preparations](https://ca-times.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/c7f74ca/2147483647/strip/true/crop/586x387+0+0/resize/586x387!/quality/75/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F20%2F37%2F3fcf7289fc3cb0b2d9836031bd9a%2Flat-prep1-kddlxnnc.jpg)
Work continues on the presidential inauguration platform where Barack Obama will be sworn in Tuesday. (Mark Wilson / Getty Images)
![Rehearsal](https://ca-times.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/6b9f213/2147483647/strip/true/crop/586x394+0+0/resize/586x394!/quality/75/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fb3%2F23%2F77b45b20fab94e5064a652bc7d06%2Flat-prep6-kdbkbxnc.jpg)
Capt. David Paroby, director of the Herald Trumpets, directs a musical selection during an inauguration dress rehearsal. (Win McNamee / Getty Images)
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![Rehearsal](https://ca-times.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/63469f6/2147483647/strip/true/crop/428x425+0+0/resize/428x425!/quality/75/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F67%2F3a%2Fa1852e75a709c51e09f7c986d318%2Flat-prep8-kdbhbcnc.jpg)
The inauguration involves thousands of law enforcement and safety personnel who must practice for the swearing-in ceremony and parade. (Paul J. Richards / AFP/Getty Images)
![Inauguration rehearsal](https://ca-times.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/6f9f601/2147483647/strip/true/crop/586x389+0+0/resize/586x389!/quality/75/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F3f%2F5c%2Fb773eb7f303aae399158d71506b0%2Flat-prep4-kdbakinc.jpg)
Army Staff Sgt. Derrick Brooks stands in for Barack Obama during an inauguration rehearsal. (Alex Wong / Getty Images)
![Dress rehearsal](https://ca-times.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/6f5ee79/2147483647/strip/true/crop/586x383+0+0/resize/586x383!/quality/75/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F16%2F1c%2F648112dbe8367b61a656ef84cade%2Flat-prep10-kdbd5fnc.jpg)
Army Staff Sgt. Derrick Brooks stands in for President-elect Barack Obama, Navy Yeoman 1st. Class LaSean McCray stands in for his wife, Michelle, and Dominique Sewell and Gianna Justice Samora-Nixon stand in for daughters Malia and Sasha. (Chip Somodevilla / Getty Images)
![Flags](https://ca-times.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/deabbe8/2147483647/strip/true/crop/586x376+0+0/resize/586x376!/quality/75/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F98%2Fec%2F73bf991698cffc180f2a72096500%2Flat-prep11-kddjyonc.jpg)
Workers hang flags behind the inauguration platform. (Paul J. Richards / AFP/Getty Images)
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![VIP seating](https://ca-times.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/d919618/2147483647/strip/true/crop/586x353+0+0/resize/586x353!/quality/75/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fb3%2Fa3%2F6f167f229eb013f3ee40dda0acde%2Flat-prep12-kdbhelnc.jpg)
The VIP seating behind the podium on the inauguration platform looks out toward the Washington Monument. (Paul J. Richards / AFP/Getty Images)
![Painting](https://ca-times.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/1a62aeb/2147483647/strip/true/crop/586x399+0+0/resize/586x399!/quality/75/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F51%2Ff2%2F7a1718baff652a1caa8f3c661c4f%2Flat-prep13-kbddfqnc.jpg)
A worker in early December paints the stand for the inauguration platform. (Jacquelyn Martin / Associated Press)
![Inauguration](https://ca-times.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/6b99b5e/2147483647/strip/true/crop/586x382+0+0/resize/586x382!/quality/75/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fdf%2Fe1%2F73a61962866e5a1da1fad3b2d673%2Flat-prep14-kborevnc.jpg)
The latest weather report for Tuesday predicts high temperatures in the mid-30s. As many as 2 million people are expected to attend. (Mark Wilson / Getty Images)