By DAVID HERBERT
After 5,000 inaugural parade tickets sold out in under 60 seconds Friday afternoon, the lucky few who snagged bleacher seats for the Jan. 20 procession have just one thing to say: "Show me the money."
Hundreds of those tickets, which were offered by the Presidential Inaugural Committee for $25 each, are now listed on craigslist for $300 a pop and more. The tickets are not required for the parade, but they do give access to raised stands along the route with a good view.
It is unclear whether scalping parade tickets falls under the purview of a bill introduced last week by Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., that would make the sale of inauguration ceremony tickets a misdemeanor.
Some craigslist scalpers are already searching for ways around potential legal hurdles, offering relatively worthless items like photos for large sums and offering to include passes to the parade. Others are more brazen.
"Yes ladies and gentlemen -- in exchange for your monetary gift, you will receive in return my undying love and appreciation, as well as a pair of Inaugural Parade Tickets," writes one poster. "More love and a third ticket are also available if your need for love cannot be sated, and there are three in your party.
Would-be bleacher creatures with cash flow problems are using non-monetary appeals for tickets, as well. One craigslist poster is offering to barter a new iPod touch for the chance to see the parade, which will feature everything from high school marching bands to a NASA moon rover.
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