Democrats replay day’s greatest hits

Sadie Kellar, 11, Lawrence, sits in front of a fence at Abe and Jake's watching a program during a replay of Barack Obama's inauguration Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2008.

Even though it was a recording of President Barack Obama’s inauguration from several hours earlier, cheers still emanated from supporters Tuesday night in Lawrence.

“It’s joyous. Finally we have somebody who represents us in the White House,” said Lawrence resident Marybeth Bethel during the Douglas County Democrats celebration at Abe and Jake’s Landing, 8 E. Sixth St.

Ed Quick, chairman of the county party, estimated 450 people attended the event as they watched replays from the morning and other coverage. Obama didn’t win Kansas in the November election, but he did carry Douglas County by a wide margin.

The Democrats also praised Obama’s inaugural address, calling it realistic about the economic and other challenges the country faces.

“He will be asking Americans to make sacrifices, and I think a little bit you saw Americans react positively toward that,” said state Sen. Tom Holland, D-Baldwin City. “They want to be part of the solution going forward.”

State Sen. Chris Steineger, D-Kansas City, Kan., said the speech also struck a chord with people.

“I think collectively to get ourselves out of this economic predicament and then regain our standing in foreign affairs is going to take a lot of self sacrifice,” he said.

People in Lawrence also soaked in hours worth of inaugural events as they were broadcast live on television Tuesday morning.

Employees and many of those exercising at the Lawrence Athletic Club, 3201 Mesa Way, had their eyes glued to television sets as Obama was about to be sworn in as the nation’s 44th president.

“I’m just real happy something like this happened; it’s a big change,” said Wayne Jackson, personal trainer. “It just lets you know you can do anything in this country … no matter what race you are.”

Others had an early lunch at downtown Lawrence establishments to take in the historic inauguration of America’s first black president.

“I’m African-American myself, so I think this is definitely going to be a historical day for me to remember,” said Demetrius Early, who watched the events on a television projection screen at Buffalo Wild Wings, 1012 Mass.

Applause broke out at the Kansas Union after Obama made his inaugural address. Dozens of students crowded into multiple rooms at the university to watch the events on TV screens.

“It’ll be a notable event that you’ll remember for the rest of your life,” said Jenni Watts, a Kansas University senior from Salina.