Hundreds of thousands are flooding into Washington for the Inauguration of President Obama. Republicans hit the road

Hundreds of thousands of people are flooding into Washington this weekend for the Inauguration.

But some are getting out of town.


As Democrats get ready to revel in their November victory, many Republicans are hitting the road to destinations near and far — a Washington tradition among the political class on the losing side of a presidential election.

( PHOTOS: Past presidential inaugurations)

“At the swearing-in hour, I will be at hole No. 5 of Desert Forest Golf Club in Carefree, Ariz.,” Republican consultant Charlie Black said.

It’s not the first time the veteran Republican operative has opted to stay away from the inaugural hoopla. He’s reprising the same trip from four years ago.

“Frankly, there’s nothing you can do business-wise Monday or Tuesday,” Black said of his decision to decamp in Arizona. “I have nothing to go to.”

The flight seems particularly noticeable this year. No former GOP presidents, vice presidents or Senate leaders are coming, POLITICO has learned. And Newt Gingrich is the only former GOP speaker who has RSVP’d “yes” just days before the event.

( PHOTOS: Celebrities expected at Inauguration 2013)

Even many current lawmakers, like Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.), are skipping the festivities. Paul is slated to be in South Carolina on Monday for a meeting of conservatives hosted by political analyst Mallory Factor.

Georgia Sen. Saxby Chambliss is leading a group of Republicans to Florida for the weekend to raise money for his Republican Majority Fund. Cost to get out of town: a $1,500 personal check or $3,000 for political action committees. Chambliss is expected to be in Washington on Inauguration Day.

Conservatives are going near and far — from a long weekend in Philadelphia to jetting off across the pond; there are few Republicans who plan on taking part in the festivities.

For some, it’s an opportunity to do some business. Kevin Madden, former Mitt Romney spokesman, is in Charleston, S.C., for his firm JDA Frontline’s annual retreat.

“We do it every year,” Madden said. “We chose this week this year because we figured things would be a little slower.”

But it’s not all work and no play.

Republican Charlie Spies and his wife, Lisa, are hosting nearly 100 GOP-ers in Las Vegas for the weekend. The treasurer for American Crossroads has put together a mix of Romney campaign staff, political consultants, clients and friends who would rather be in Sin City than Washington. The group, which did a similar trip four years ago, has nearly quadrupled in size.

Mike Shields, former National Republican Congressional Campaign Committee political director, is heading to London.

Of course, not everyone who bleeds red is leaving.

Several Republicans said they will stick around, hang out with their kids, but plan on avoiding downtown Washington and the festivities.

While others are taking the opportunity to get involved.

Republican consultant Ron Bonjean is helping organize a Lynyrd Skynyrd concert Sunday at the Warner Theatre for military and their families. Magnum Entertainment Group’s Jeff Kimbell is helping put together a concert on Saturday at the Howard Theatre featuring local band Blame it on Jane and Better Than Ezra.

Others like Steve Caldeira of the International Franchise Association and Ziad Ojakli of Ford Motor Co., have official responsibilities. Ford is hosting a gala Monday night at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum.

For Caldeira, it’s about working across the aisle as head of the trade group.

“I suspect I’ll attend at least one of the inaugural-related events,” Caldeira said. “And I think that’s just part of our ongoing focus on working in a bipartisan manner.”