in the opening scene to the last episode of the west wing and mrs. bartlett ask the president who have the dumb idea of have an outdoor event in january . mean the inauguration of the president elect matt santos . the brilliant writing staff have president bartlett answer represent i do not know . washington . jefferson . maybe adams . this be come from a president with an i. q. in the 150 range . the problem be the inauguration be always hold on march the 4th and that be until they change the law in 1933 and when the inauguration be change to be on january the 20th and so that there could be a quick change of office . back in 1789 and they need the extra time to make sure that all the vote across the country be count and then deliver by horse and and then they need to set up for the actual elector to cast their ballot to finalize the presidential election . in the heady day of 1933 and telephone and telegraph eliminate the need for all that extra time . although gore would have love to get the 2000 inauguration push back to march . it be a real surprise to me and that this normally superior write staff would make that kind of mistake . kaveman7 @ msn . com .