Very nicely done. Although the crowds may have been down, it was by no means a poor turnout. The event at the Clay Center showed how well that building can accomodate a group with plenty of room and style. The swearing in was cold but I certainly prefer having it on the non-river side of the capitol. It appeared one poor soldier was overcome by the cold but other than that, everyone toughed it out.
The civic center event was by far the best I have ever seen. The four seasons themed decoration were very, very well done and the Spinners put on a classic Motown show.
One word to those on the platform during the swearing in ceremony. When you come down the stairs, all eyes are on you because, quite frankly, there is nothing else to watch. The gents should take off their hats, bonnets or whatever adorns your cranium, hold it in your hand then put it back on when you reach your seat. Governor Manchin even went so far to take off his coat as he descended the stairs and put it back on at his seat. The parade of odd hat wearers was however interesting. Several cowboy hats and a few “let’s go sledding” stocking caps were on display.
In my opinion Joe Manchin has done a remarkable job for the state. Presumably, his successor was somewhere on the platform on Monday. He will be very hard if not impossible to replace.