First couple make quick stops at balls

Over and over, President Bush and the first lady danced to a medley that included “I Could Have Danced All Night.”

Could have, but didn’t.

Bush shuttled through his 10-ball dance card at warp speed Thursday night and clocked in back at the White House by 10:03 p.m., nearly an hour and a half ahead of schedule. Setting the tone for the evening, one White House aide flashed an index finger and proclaimed, “One down” as the presidential entourage left Ball No. 1.

The Bushes skipped dancing altogether at their first stop, and twirled all of 1 minute, 6 seconds at Stop 2. By Stop 5, they had it down to 52 seconds. Cumulative dance total for the night: 8 minutes, 54 seconds.

As Bush prepared for his first turn on the inaugural dance floor, he confessed, “It may be the first time in four years.”

Laura Bush took her twirls in a silver-and-blue V-neck gown by Oscar de la Renta. Presidential twin daughters Jenna and Barbara hovered in the background only briefly in Badgley Mischkas.

Anti-war protesters mourn Iraqi war dead

Anti-Bush demonstrators waving signs that said “Worst President Ever” and “the American Nightmare” jeered the president’s motorcade during the inaugural parade Thursday.

“The celebration seems really expensive. I heard they brought in a ton of meat for the thing. I can’t imagine it all being eaten. So I’m wondering what they’re going to do with it? Are they going to wrestle in it?”— Kelley Sanchez, KU student, Topeka Read more and add your thoughts

The procession of cars sped up as President Bush neared the designated location for protesters on Pennsylvania Avenue. Two rows of police lined the street in front of the main protest site. Officers stationed atop buildings along the route kept close watch on the crowd.

Three blocks from the White House, protesters tried to rush a security gate and a flag was burned. Police briefly locked down the area, trapping some 400 to 500 spectators.

Police said at least 10 people were arrested during the inaugural ceremonies.

District of Columbia police said they had to use pepper spray to break up a “push and shoving match” between officers and protesters near the start of the parade. A police spokesman said at least one officer was slightly injured.

Iran nuclear threat a concern for Cheney

Vice President Dick Cheney, in an interview hours before he and President Bush were sworn in for a second term, said Iran now topped the list of the world’s potential trouble spots.

Iran is pursuing “a fairly robust new nuclear program” and “is a noted sponsor of terror,” he said in an interview Thursday with syndicated radio host Don Imus.

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“You look around the world at potential trouble spots, Iran is right at the top of the list,” the vice president said.

Another concern, Cheney said, is the possibility of Israel making an initial military move if it became convinced Iran had significant nuclear capability.

The Bush administration might seek U.N. sanctions against Iran over its nuclear program if necessary, Cheney said. The administration prefers to address the problem with diplomacy and doesn’t want more war in the Middle East, he said.

Iran repeatedly has denied allegations of a secret nuclear weapons programs, saying its nuclear activities are for peaceful energy purposes.

In the Inauguration Day interview, Cheney also said he overestimated the pace of Iraq’s recovery from the U.S.-led invasion.

Ceremony a family affair

For the 43rd president and his family it was a day to celebrate, coming after an election victory that, unlike his contested win four years earlier, rested on a decisive popular vote.

In uttering the 35-word presidential oath, Bush achieved the second term that eluded his father, the 41st president, and enshrined the Bushes as one of the nation’s political dynasties.

Thursday’s scene suggested that the family’s mark on politics may not end when the current president leaves office.

Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, the president’s younger brother, is often mentioned as a future White House contender and was frequently in view of the TV cameras. Also in view was the governor’s son, George P. Bush, a lawyer who is thought to be planning a future in politics.