In fact, the democratic - some might even say proletarian - theme was evident throughout the ball at the World Trade Center: standard tickets were an affordable $40, the guests - about 7,000 of them - had to pass through a metal detector, and there were long lines for the cash bars that were shut down during official speeches. Guests swarmed the tables of hummus and pita, which were ravenously consumed and promptly cleared for good. Because of a shortage of seats - and pita bread - one woman ate her small lump of hummus with a fork, standing up.
Many of those overheard complaining about their growling stomachs declined to discuss it on the record; this was a partisan crowd, after all.
''Would you come to something like this to eat?'' asked Republican National Committeeman Ron Kaufman, wearing a tuxedo and cowboy boots. ''You come to be seen and to talk.''
This inaugural gala, however, was a two-party system.
An escalator ride to the discreet, exclusive Martini Lounge brought a striking change of scenery. Well-heeled guests who ponied up $1,000 or more took in a stunning view of the Boston skyline to the right, and to the left, a plate-glass window allowed them to gaze down on the hoi polloi crammed on the World Trade Center floor. Video and audio from the ground-level stage were piped in to a television monitor in the corner.
Tables were adorned with white-rose centerpieces and flickering votives; seating was plentiful, as was the spread of Middle Eastern hors d'oeuvres. Vodka flowed down the trunk of an elephant-shaped ice sculpture.
Jeanne Kangas, a Republican State Committee member, was impressed.
''It's very creative,'' she said, calling for a refill of her martini. ''This thinking outside the box, it's very similar to what Romney wants to do'' as governor.
