I am hoping to celebrate the inaugration and am looking for a clean, safe, inexpensive B&B in the city near mass transit. Do you have any suggestions?

Big cities aren't really the best places to look for B&Bs. There are only a few in all of Washington, and most of them are those upscale expensive places, not cheap. I think you'd do much better looking for a cheap hotel, perhaps around a metro stop in Arlington or Crystal City, etc., or even in Washington like a Red Roof Inn.

However, if you really want a B&B, the only quasi-cheap B&B I know in Washington is the Kalorama Guest House.http://www.kaloramaguesthouse.com/

The one in Woodley Park is closest to a metro stop. Don't know how cheap it is, maybe $100 if you are lucky. I notice they have a $89 special in the summer, so wouldn't expect it that cheap during inauguration period. Washington real estate is much too expensive for people to run cheap B&Bs in them.

Try the Hotel Harrington which is right downtown and in walking distance to the mall, etc. Its regular rates are just a bit over $100, and if you don't expect much, it could work out.

just couldn't resist saying that you are either a fortune-teller who can read the future or so bipartisan that you don't care who wins before you decide to celebrate? Which I guess means that you just can't wait to see Bush outta here?

Hmmm.... maybe I'll start booking my hotel now, too!

The Adam's Inn, near my daughter's home in Adams Morgan, is convenient to a variety of public transit, shopping, and night life. I've never seen the inside, but it's on a quaint side street and seems well-kept. They're currently accepting reservations through February 2009.

http://www.adamsinn.com/

The Woodley Park B&B is excellent. Very clean and in a safe neighborhood with plenty of restaurant options. The owners and staff are wonderful. We stayed there about 2 years ago. You can see the Metro stop from the front porch.