Yvonne Wingett Sanchez, and Ronald J. Hansen

The Republic | azcentral.com

Trump supporters in Arizona are planning their own celebrations of his inaugural

Conservatives see the event as renewing the nation's spirit in a way similar to Democrats in 2009

Much of the inaugural's attention has focused on protests and boycotts

As Donald Trump places his hand on the Bible to take the oath of office Friday, Nancy Russell Plencner will be toasting him from her home in Fountain Hills, surrounded by a handful of her closest friends.

"I couldn't be more thrilled," said Plencner, whose inauguration brunch menu includes champagne and freshly squeezed Arizona orange juice. "I wake up almost every morning and pinch myself and think maybe this is all a dream."

While they have been somewhat overshadowed by rumblings of mass protests in Washington, D.C., and across the country Friday and Saturday, many of the people who helped Trump pull off an upset in November are planning their own revelry for Inauguration Day.

Dozens of Arizonans are flocking to the nation's capital to witness the inauguration in person. Thousands more in red-leaning Arizona are enthusiastically awaiting the moment Trump takes the oath of office, planning to celebrate with potlucks and brunches. Others will gather at the state GOP office in Sun City to watch the historic event.

State GOP Chairman Robert Graham, who is in Washington, D.C., for the occasion, said the state party distributed about 60 tickets to Arizonans. The state's congressional members gave away dozens more.

"I think finally, after so many years, we are putting our country back on the right footing," said Plencner, a 73-year-old retired business association executive. She thinks Trump is already helping the nation with his Cabinet nominations.

"These are not political paybacks to anybody," she said. "That’s one of the most freeing things about Donald Trump: He can do and say what he needs to do and say without all this political baggage."

Graham, whose tenure as head of the state party is nearing an end, said Washington, D.C., is filled with "high energy" in anticipation of Friday's festivities.

"All these people that have worked so hard, and fought for more than just the last four years for victory are in a state of euphoria almost," he said. "They can't wait for all the things that were promised during the campaign: a conservative Supreme Court, a conservative cabinet."

Counting down the days

Before all that can happen, Trump must be sworn in as the nation’s 45th president.

Janet Svetichan of Mesa will be curled up on her couch by the fireplace, watching it on Fox News.

She has been counting down to the inauguration on her Facebook page, where she proudly describes herself as a “deplorable,” a reference to Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton's description of many of Trump's supporters.

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The retired make-up artist once thought it was comical that the wealthy businessman was seeking the nation’s highest office. But it didn't take long for her to get behind his presidential bid.

In her mind, Trump will keep the nation safe from terrorist attacks, will clamp down on illegal immigration, will improve the economy and will say what’s on the minds of Americans like her — even if it offends people.

A fervor similar to the feelings that gripped liberals as Barack Obama ascended to the presidency is now sweeping over conservatives after eight years out of the White House.

“I have felt down in the dumps for several years. I just didn’t feel like the middle class had any backing,” said Svetichan, a Republican. Trump’s win has renewed her hope in the nation's direction.

“I can even feel the positiveness when I go to the grocery to shop,” she said. “People are talking to each other. … They’re helping people lift things from one shelf to another. It’s awesome. People are being nice to each other. Hope is in the air. I do think we will start winning again, like he says.”

Svetichan said she’s confident Trump will fill what she sees as a patriotic and spiritual void that accompanied the Obama years.

“Under Obama, patriotism was lacking and I don’t know if you can say it, but I can,” she said. “Look at us now: What a mess. I’m very excited that God is coming back to the White House."

Disappointment in boycotts

Gerald Charlton, a Republican in his 70s, said Trump's inauguration marks a new day for America, one where more jobs stay in the U.S. and the military is rebuilt.

Charlton, who plans on watching the festivities on TV at his home in Surprise, said he is disappointed some Democrats are boycotting the inauguration. More than 50 congressional Democrats, including U.S. Rep. Raúl Grijalva, D-Ariz., have indicated they won't be attending.

Although Grijalva won't be there, his office did give away all 198 of its inaugural tickets, said Dan Lindner, a spokesman for Grijalva. "This time we were able to accommodate all of the requests we had."

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U.S. Rep. Kyrsten Sinema, D-Ariz., gave most of her tickets to constituents and the remaining few to her fellow Republicans from Arizona's delegation. She is planning to attend the inaugural, said Macey Matthews, a spokeswoman.

Still, people like Charlton see Democrats as raining on Trump's parade.

"They're trying everything that they can to discredit him before he takes office," he said. "But take a look at what's happened with the jobs that have already been saved — Carrier, Ford, Chrysler."

Hopes for a smooth transition

Alma Mellinger, a Prescott Republican, will be rejoicing when Trump takes office. Trump represents everything the Clinton campaign did not, she said, and she is counting on him to bring the country together.

The 78-year-old retired accountant said she is counting on Trump to advocate against abortions and boost defense spending.

Her plans for Inauguration Day are more subdued.

“We’re just going to kick back and watch the inauguration on TV,” she said. “And hopefully, there will not be any serious disruptions. This past year, all we’ve seen on television is people getting hurt, and I’m hoping we don’t see that during the inauguration.”

Follow the reporter on Twitter @yvonnewingett and reach her at yvonne.wingett@arizonarepublic.com or 602-444-4712.