People were directed into the Third Street tunnel by police, but were not allowed to exit. Among those who missed the ceremony were Seattle Mayor
Greg Nickels,
San Mateo County Supervisor Warren Slocum, daughters of
Kathleen Kennedy Townsend, the Legislative Director for
Lamar Alexander,, staffers for
John Barrasso, and foreign policy advisers and multiple members of staff from the
Obama campaign. News reports put the total number of purple-ticket-holders who were denied entrance to the inauguration at between 1,000 and 4,000. Pictures show a lack of law enforcement or event personnel, and an overall bleak situation without basic amenities such as wayfinding or facilities.
Terrance W. Gainer, the
Sergeant at Arms of the United States Senate, stated that it appeared that the breakdown had occurred because there were more purple and blue tickets for those sections than bulky people in coats would permit. On January 22, 2009, the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies said that blue-, silver-, and purple-ticket-holders who were not admitted would receive copies of the swearing-in invitation and program, photos of Obama and Vice President Joe Biden, and a color print of the ceremony. ==Lessons learned==