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Hillary ClintonHillary Rodham ClintonDem senator: Violent Trump protesters disgusting Trump: 'Very honored that Clinton attended inauguration GOP, Dems hear different things from Trump MORE's presence at the Capitol will be the subject of feverish interest as Donald TrumpDonald TrumpTrump will be like Napoleon in the years ahead The internet is having a field day with Michelle Obama inauguration memes Petitions on WH site urge Trump to release tax returns, divest from businesses MORE takes the presidential oath of office on Friday.

Watchful cameras are set to catch any reflexive moment of pain or frustration on Clintons face as she watches a man whom she plainly disdains sworn into the nations highest office a job she had been favored to win.

Clinton and her team were confident she would be the next president until the results began rolling in on the night of the election.

Those allegations, as well as Trumps own controversial behavior, has fueled the decision by around 70 House Democrats to boycott the inauguration.Rep. John Lewis (D-Ga.), the civil rights hero, said Trump would not be a legitimate president.

Democratic strategists who spoke to The Hill expressed admiration for Clintons willingness to attend, given how agonizing the event is sure to be for her.

I think it takes a lot to show up in that situation after the kind of campaign that was run against her [by Trump], said Tad Devine, who worked as a senior advisor to Clintons main primary challenger, Sen. Bernie SandersBernie SandersHillary gives Bernie cool reception at Trump inaugural lunch The Hill's 12:30 Report Sanders: This is a 'tough day for millions of Americans' MORE (I-Vt.).

Devine noted how Trumps crowds had chanted Lock her up! in reference to Clinton at campaign rallies.

Her opponent encouraged people to want to put her in jail, and to question her in a fundamental way, he said, adding that Clintons attendance is testament to her strength of character. I really think she should be praised.

Devine, and others, viewed Clintons decision to attend as an important marker smoothing the transition of power, especially when so many others are unreconciled to Trumps election.

It's not easy to lose a presidential election, said Michael Dukakis, the Democrat defeated by George H.W. Bush in 1988.

And the circumstances of Clinton's loss make it even tougher, he said.

"Winning is a helluva lot better than losing, and when, in fact, you win by three million votes and the other guy takes office, it can't be easy," he said in an email to The Hill that referred to Clinton's win in the popular vote.

Clintons presence at the inauguration is not necessarily a rebuke to those who have boycotted the ceremony. But it is a powerful symbolic gesture of her acceptance of the elections outcome.

Certainly she will feel disappointed, but it is very important that she attend because it is a signal to people that the system of government works, said Hank Sheinkopf, a New York Democratic strategist who has worked with Clinton in the past but did not do so during her most recent campaign. Her appearance is a way of endorsing democracy.

He added, It is a very classy thing to do. It speaks well of her and her character, despite what her detractors might like to intimate. She has absolutely no gain here.

Clinton will be making the high-profile appearance with her husband, former President Bill ClintonBill ClintonTrump: 'Very honored that Clinton attended inauguration Hillary Clinton holds head high as Trump takes office ImpeachDonaldTrumpNow.org launched immediately after Trump sworn in MORE. Every living former president is expected to attend the inauguration with the exception of the elderly George H.W. Bush, who has been hospitalized.

Hillary Clinton has remained mostly out of the public eye since losing the bitter election, with even chance encounters between her and random strangers earning airtime and headlines.

In recent years, it has been the usual custom but not a universally observed one for the vanquished candidate in a presidential election to attend the inauguration of the winner.

Mitt Romney did not attend President Obamas second swearing-in in Jan. 2013. But, four years before, Sen. John McCainJohn McCainSenate committee to vote Monday on Tillerson Trump fails to mention Clinton in inaugural address Hillary Clinton under microscope at inauguration MORE (R-Ariz.) was present for Obamas first inauguration. Then-Sen. John KerryJohn KerryTrump fails to mention Clinton in inaugural address Hillary Clinton under microscope at inauguration Overnight Tech: Meet the key players for Trump on tech | Patent chief staying on | Kerry aide goes to Snapchat | Uber's M settlement MORE (D-Mass.) and outgoing Vice President Al GoreAl GoreTrump fails to mention Clinton in inaugural address Hillary Clinton under microscope at inauguration For presidents and politics, geography still matters MORE attended President George W. Bushs inaugurations after he beat them in the 2004 and 2000 election respectively.

Some observers draw parallels between Gores decision to accept Bushs victory following a deeply controversial Supreme Court decision and Clintons attendance at Trumps inauguration.

Devine said that Gore demonstrated his respect for the rule of law, and he strengthened it in America at a very fragile time. I think we are in a time like that right now.

Another Democratic strategist, Evan Stavisky, suggested that Gore could have some sense of the emotions that will be churning within Clinton on Friday.

There are very few people who can sympathize with Hillary Clinton right now, and are still alive, other than Al Gore. Most people cant even pretend to know.

Any interaction between Trump and Clinton, however brief, will draw particular scrutiny. The same goes for any meeting between the president-elect and Bill Clinton, who campaigned vigorously on his wifes behalf and sometimes found himself in Trumps crosshairs.

The couple have experienced tumultuous turns in fortune, both privately and politically, over the years. But Fridays inauguration will rank high among them.

Hillary Clinton is a woman who has had an extraordinary life with lots of ups and downs, said Sheinkopf. She has adjusted well to some of the most dramatic moments in American public life. Hillary Clinton is one tough cookie.

This story was updated at 9:36 a.m.

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Hillary Clinton under microscope at inauguration - The Hill