All Entries in the "Inauguration" Category

Mongiardo takes on Bunning, Paul touts his values in new TV ads

FRANKFORT — All four major candidates in Kentucky’s U.S. Senate race are on the air with television ads 75 days before the May 18 primary.

Republican Rand Paul and Democratic Lt. Gov. Daniel Mongiardo started airing new TV ads Wednesday.

Mongiardo’s ad, the first of his campaign, focuses on his efforts to protest Republican U.S. Sen. Jim Bunning’s stand earlier this week against an extension of unemployment benefits.

“In 2004, Daniel Mongiardo took on the failed policies of Bunning/Bush,” the ad begins. “So, when Jim Bunning blocked unemployment benefits for 120,000 Kentuckians, Daniel took on Bunning again. Called Bunning’s actions a “disgrace.” Led rallies in Louisville and Lexington. He stood up for Kentucky workers—taking on Bunning and Tea Party supporters. Bunning’s backed down.”

Mongiardo’s ad comes a day after his key Democratic opponent, Attorney General Jack Conway, launched his own ad blasting Bunning, who is not seeking re-election.

Paul’s ad takes a less confrontational approach, saying he lives Kentuckians’ values and will take on those in Washington who spend too much.

McConnell and other GOP lawmakers get hisses at inauguration

WASHINGTON — Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell and fellow Republicans received a reception Tuesday that rivaled the frigid winter weather as thousands of inauguration attendees greeted GOP officials with boos, chants, hisses and — in some cases — stony silence.

The chilly display toward McConnell, who was flanked by other high-ranking Republicans as he took the stage at President Barack Obama’s swearing-in ceremony, was a momentary break in the otherwise jubilant spirit of the day.

In D.C., ‘You could just feel the excitement’

After fighting intermittent chills of cold and excitement, Jacqueline Coleman gushed about being witness to history.

“You could just feel the excitement,” she said of the crowd around her during the inauguration of President Barack Obama in Washington D.C. “Everyone was happy and anticipating what President Obama was going to say.”

Coleman, a 26-year-old teacher from Mercer County, eagerly fought through the throngs of onlookers by herself to the part of the Capitol grounds just past its Reflection Pool. She had a ticket for that section while her friends were relegated to the general public area somewhere among the masses on the National Mall.

Crowds start early, metro packed at dawn

People wanting to get the best seat – or standing room – for Tuesday’s inaugural events were up and out early in Washington D.C.

A little before 5 a.m., two photographers and I caught a subway from roughly the area of the zoo to come downtown to the McClatchy Washington Bureau. There was room on the train, but just barely as we squeezed on with camera bags and laptop cases.

Kentuckians hit Washington in high spirits

In high spirits, Central Kentuckians piled off two motor coaches in downtown Washington D.C. Monday morning, undaunted by having endured a 12-hour bus ride.

They were elated to finally get to the city where president-elect Barack Obama will be inaugurated on Tuesday. “I’m excited, overjoyed. I want to be part of history in the making,” said Clara Bradshaw Roberts, 59, of Lexington.