There's a lot of bad news and a little good news for thousands of locals hoping to be in the nation's capital in January, watching first-hand as Barack Obama is sworn in as president of the United States.

The overwhelmingly bad news for most folks: If you don't have political juice, or you hadn't already hit up your Congress member for inaugural tickets before Election Day, chances are you won't get the ducats.

The good news if you somehow manage to score a ticket: Even from the cheap seats, the historic swearing-in of the nation's first multiracial president promises to be an unforgettable moment, inaugural veterans say.

"Even if you're not there with a ticket and you see the motorcade go by, it will be magical," said Sean Walsh, who worked in the White House under Presidents George H.W. Bush and Ronald Reagan. "It really, really will be worth the trip, if you can be in the city on that day."

Demand for presidential inaugural tickets normally outpaces supply. But officials inside and outside the process say all signs point to even higher demand this time, given the historic nature of the election.

Congressional staffs around the country report being swamped with requests for their allotment of between 180 and 300 passes. Each representative is allowed to distribute the tickets as they see fit.

Some are first-come, first-served. But if you're a local political or civic heavyweight, your chances are better.

"As soon as the election is called, that is when the phones start ringing," said Roger Salazar, a veteran Democratic operative. He said congressional representatives from urban areas are always deluged with requests for tickets.

Sacramento resident Odiri Pinnock, 27, decided to act quickly, so the morning after the election she called Rep. Doris Matsui's office. She's No. 300.

"I pray I get tickets," Pinnock said. "But just to be there in the vicinity would be an experience in itself."

She said she was energized by Obama and became one of his estimated 2 million volunteers nationwide.

Local developer Allen Warren, 44, chief executive officer of New Faze Development, hopes to have a front-row seat to history.

"It's just important to celebrate it – not just as an African American event – but as an American event," Warren said. "This is just a beam of sunshine that is shining on our country."

Sacramento's Sandi Patterson, a 49-year-old AT&T employee and Obama campaign volunteer, is going, and she won't be alone.

"This is now turning into a three-generation inaugural affair," said Patterson, who will go with her mother and daughter. "We just want to be part of history."

She made hotel reservations two months ago, but waited until Nov. 5 to put herself on her congressional member's ticket list.

Richard Beach, 61, didn't wait for Election Day to end to ask for tickets. Beach, a Gulf War veteran, said he hopes Obama will return the country to more peaceful times and take better care of veterans. Two months ago, he asked Matsui's office for tickets for him and his wife, Joan, should Obama be elected.

"We're looking forward to being part of it," he said, "because it's history."

He said if they don't get tickets, they'll give up their hotel reservations – freeing up a spot for others.

You don't have to have a ticket to have a good time, said Carole Florman, a spokeswoman for the joint congressional inaugural committee.

"There are lots of ways to enjoy the inaugural," Florman said. With 240,000 tickets available, just because you're at the swearing-in doesn't mean you won't need binoculars to see the action. Some seats will be four blocks from the stage.

Roger Salazar, who served as a spokesman for former Gov. Gray Davis, said he's seen the presidential change of power from up close and from far away – both experiences had something to offer.

"There is a very jubilant atmosphere," Salazar said, especially when there is a change in power. "Every bar in Washington, D.C., is packed. You will always be able to find somewhere to find a good time."

Call The Bee's Ed Fletcher, (916) 321-1269.