10 Twitter accounts you should be following on inauguration day
Donald Trump will be sworn in as the 45th President of the United States today. It should be an … interesting … day, regardless of what side of the political spectrum you fall on.
If you’re anything like me, you’ll spend the day constantly refreshing your Twitter feed, hanging on every last update from Washington, D.C. And, if you’re like me, you’ll be most interested in what Charlotteans and North Carolinians have to say about the proceedings.
With that in mind, here’s a list of mostly-local accounts you should be following. Good luck trying to get any work done now.
Dr. Michael Bitzer
Bitzer is a must-follow, inauguration day and every day. Not only does the Provost and Professor of Political Science at Catawba College know everything there is to know about politics and elections, but he explains it all in an easy-to-understand — and often funny — way. And he rocks a mean bow tie.
Well, I see some partisans didn’t have “I’ll start the new year with 24 hours of not attacking the other side” on their resolutions. pic.twitter.com/gxzhk9ASiu
— Dr. Michael Bitzer (@BowTiePolitics) January 1, 2017
Franklin Graham
The much-more-political son of Billy Graham has been known to make waves on social media (How many news stories has his Facebook page spawned?), and he’ll be reading a Bible passage at the inauguration. He’s already been tweeting some behind-the-scenes stuff. Maybe more of this tomorrow?
It was a privilege to be a part of the presidential inauguration rehearsal this morning. Here’s a picture from the podium. #Inauguration pic.twitter.com/5MuTBGmx1l
— Franklin Graham (@Franklin_Graham) January 19, 2017
Alma Adams
Representative Adams, whose 12th District covers much of Charlotte, is one of many members of Congress who has decided to skip out on the inauguration. So it’ll be interesting to see what the woman who wears many hats — literally — will have to say about Trump being sworn in, and what she’ll be doing instead of attending the ceremony.
Today I released the following statement about the inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump. pic.twitter.com/gJsFkO55Me
— Alma S. Adams (@RepAdams) January 17, 2017
Jim Morrill
Morrill has been covering politics for the Observer since 1987, and even though he won’t be in Washington, I’m sure he’ll be paying close attention and looking for local angles in the proceedings. He also has great hair — just ask Rielle Hunter, John Edwards’ former mistress: “How scary is it that I can identify Jim Morrill, a political reporter from The Charlotte Observer whom I have never met, by spotting the top of his head?” she wrote in her book.
Irony of ironies? #NCGA bill to repeal HB2 will officially be — HB2. #CharObs #NCPOL
— Jim Morrill (@jimmorrill) December 20, 2016
Joanne Spataro
Spataro has her own unique — and hilarious — way of talking about politics, from getting in bed with Jennifer Roberts to skateboarding with Edwin Peacock to trying on hats with Alma Adams. But Spataro’s not just funny — she’s incredibly smart, sharp witted and a passionate activist.
It’s back, dahlings: Pillow Talk with Joanne returns! #charlotteiscreativehttps://t.co/Zmzv0JmVuv pic.twitter.com/ukylpL2Aia
— Joanne Spataro (@LookitsJoanne) January 16, 2017
Jeff Jackson
You’re probably already following him, but I put him on this list just in case. The charismatic Democratic state senator may not work in Washington, but he’s smart, not afraid to speak his mind and is pretty good at this Twitter thing. And I’m sure he’ll have something to say tomorrow.
Thank you. pic.twitter.com/2PlewehZeG
— Sen. Jeff Jackson (@JeffJacksonNC) January 20, 2017
Dallas Woodhouse
On the other end of the political spectrum from Jackson we have Woodhouse, he of “This American Life” fame. He’s the N.C. Republican Party Executive Director, and you may not like him or agree with what he says, but it will be interesting to see his take on the inauguration. And he also likes to take selfies with Republican lawmakers.
.@SenThomTillis visiting with Moore County @NCGOP at reception for @SenatorBurr pic.twitter.com/PG9FuKlxwG
— Dallas Woodhouse (@DallasWoodhouse) January 3, 2017
With @PatrickMcHenry in Whip office, in front of Only US House speaker from NC Nathaniel Macon, painting @NCGOP #ncga pic.twitter.com/TcmMrEf8Zz
— Dallas Woodhouse (@DallasWoodhouse) January 3, 2017
Great to see the Congressman from the 8th District @RepRichHudson just after he took the oath @NCGOP #ncga #ncpol pic.twitter.com/RUUKZHI8FM
— Dallas Woodhouse (@DallasWoodhouse) January 3, 2017
Anna Douglas
Douglas is a Winthrop grad who used to work at the Rock Hill Herald. Now she’s up in D.C. working for McClatchy’s Washington bureau. She’ll be covering the inauguration with a team of reporters, each focusing on voices from different parts of the country. And she’s already written about how N.C. plans to party after the inauguration.
#Inauguration2017 hype lasts long after the main stage is rolled away. Here’s how North Carolina parties. https://t.co/1kDndXYjbb #ncpol
— Anna Douglas (@ADouglasNews) January 14, 2017
Donald Trump
C’mon, this one was obvious. Will he cause an international crisis via Twitter before he’s sworn in? (Not again …) Will he get pissed off at the #CrookedMedia for something? (Probably.) Will he live-tweet the swearing in? (One hand on the Bible, the other on Twitter.) Who knows? Pretty much nothing would surprise me at this point.
FAKE NEWS – A TOTAL POLITICAL WITCH HUNT!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 11, 2017
POTUS
We’ve never had to deal with the transfer of power of a presidential Twitter account before. What a time to be alive.
To the girl from the South Side who took on a role she didn’t ask for and made it her own: Happy Birthday, Michelle. I love you. pic.twitter.com/lvjfx418hn
— President Obama (@POTUS) January 17, 2017
Photo: Josh Haner/The New York Times
This story was originally published January 20, 2017 at 12:07 AM with the headline "10 Twitter accounts you should be following on inauguration day."