NBC Washington: Obama Supporters Escape Crowds & Watch Inauguration in Chinatown

Obama campaign workers remember the crush of the crowd at President Obama’s first inauguration four years ago. This year they avoided the mayhem and watched the festivities in the warmth of a bar in nearby Chinatown.

Rajeev Chopra enjoyed his experience a lot more than four years ago.

“I got to a spot where the president was that big,” Chopra said to NBC Washington about the first inauguration, holding his fingers an inch apart. “ I thought, ‘My God, what am I doing!’”

“I was just looking for a nice, warm environment,” said Chinatown resident Morgan, one of the few others enjoying the events from the same bar as Chopra. “I didn’t want to brave the crowd and cold for hours.”