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Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Email Story to a Friend January 21, 2005 Local GOP faithful soak up inauguration scene President Bush’s historic day met with cheers, jeers as Rogue Valley residents look on By PAUL FATTIG Mail Tribune Donna Cain didn’t mind the chilly weather, the intense security or the large crowd late Thursday in Washington, D.C. The Rogue River resident was ecstatic after witnessing George W. Bush being sworn in for his second term as the nation’s 43rd president. "It was extremely emotional," she said in a cell phone interview. "I feel so privileged to live in a country where we can elect our president, where we can attend the inauguration, where we can express ourselves freely. "We’re all here because we are Bush supporters," she added. "We’re jubilant that he won." Fellow inaugural attendee Kim Pickett Bradford of Medford agreed. Advertisement "We were about center stage — we had field glasses to see," she said of her spot on the National Mall. "But I felt so fortunate to be part of it. "When he was being sworn in, I was thinking how pleased I am that he was re-elected," she added. "I completely support his positions." Although both Bradford and Cain had met Bush when he stumped in Oregon, they stressed they were at the inaugural as average citizens. Cain, who is the secretary of the Oregon Republican Party, was accompanied by three Medford residents — Lola Breeze, Sheila Foy and Christine Walker. "We’re just private citizens who wanted to be here ... it was a momentous occasion," Cain said. In addition to the swearing-in ceremony, the event included a parade and nine celebratory balls. Authorities estimate that nearly a quarter of a million people gathered in Washington for the $40 million event, although that also included protesters. The presence of the protesters reflects the strength of democracy, Bradford observed. "Everybody gets a chance to speak their opinion — that’s what makes America great," Bradford said, although she was quick to observe she disagreed with the demonstrators. The Medford business consultant and Bush campaign volunteer was joined by her parents, Charles and Delores Pickett of Medford, and her daughter, Jacqueline, 9, a fourth-grader at Hoover Elementary School. Before Thursday’s inaugural, her group toured the West Wing, said Bradford, who was an intern for former Oregon U.S. Sen. Bob Packwood in 1982. They also met CIA director Porter Goss, former astronaut Buzz Aldrin, former conservative congressman J.C. Watt and actress/singer Hilary Duff. In addition, they caught a glimpse of California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and media celebrity Barbara Walters. "It felt like the Britt, except that it was all happening at once," Bradford said, referring to the annual Britt Festivals in Jacksonville. "It’s been a great experience." Her daughter agreed, although her priorities were a bit different. "It was really fun, especially seeing Hilary Duff," she said, noting she plans to give a full report to her class upon returning home. "I‘m going to say I met Hilary Duff, saw a bunch of movie stars and also saw the president," she said. For Cain, this was her second presidential inaugural, having attended Bush’s first in 2000. She is also a veteran of the GOP’s 2000 nominating convention in Philadelphia as well as the 2004 convention in New York City. "It was so impressive that so many people came here from around the country," Cain said. "When the president was speaking, I found myself looking at the Capitol dome and thinking about how meaningful it all was." The local Oregon contingents plan to return to Medford on Sunday. Reach reporter Paul Fattig at 776-4496 or e-mail him at [email protected] Mail Tribune Home | Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life | Opinion AP News | Archives | Site Map | Community | Classified Copyright © 1997-2005 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback www.bingo.com Home Security Systems Trunks, Footlocker dvd-r Distance Education Computer Security Ztech Media Hosting Sports Equipment Online Casino Reviews Student Loans tcg student loan consolidation Online Pharmacy online casino Myspace Home Equity Loans Windermere Van Vleet Rogue Valley Travel Reservationstogo Hotel Reservations Southern Oregon Loans Online Casino News Natto Kinase Nattokinase Casino Gambling Sites Budget Website Templates Investments & Loans Advertisement s