Ernie Banks Joins The Obama Cheering Section

By Paul Bedard, Washington Whispers

Movie stars and concert headliners aren't the only ones flooding Washington to witness Barack Obama's historic inauguration as the first-ever African-American president. Joining the celebration today: "Mr. Cub," the legendary Baseball Hall of Famer Ernie Banks. We're told that he joined delirious Democrats on a flight from Chicago's O'Hare Airport Sunday morning to Washington. Once everyone was seated, passengers heard this special announcement: "We have a true Chicago legend on board, Ernie Banks." Practically everybody aboard flight 1448, many sporting Barack Obama buttons and T-shirts—and a few still bashing President Bush—broke out into applause at word that the famous former shortstop for the Chicago Cubs was ensconced in first class, among them for their inaugural pilgrimage.