By Kathy Lynch
About a dozen of the University of Louisville College Democrats will be heading to Washington, D.C. to join in the celebration they worked to make happen, according to Joanna Erny, president of the chapter.
“We are so excited,” said Erny, a junior political science major. “I get chills when I think about it.”
Erny and her cohorts, several of which are McConnell Scholars, will be loading into two vehicles for the 12 hour drive to be witness to President-elect Barack Obama’s inauguration.
Although the weather could be miserable said Erny, not even that could diminish their excitement.
“Actually I supported Hillary,” said John Weber, member of U of L’s College Democrats. “But this is history and I want to be able to tell about it in the future.”
Before the election had taken place, the group began checking into hotel rooms and accommodations, in case their candidate won the election.
“The day before the election the prices of hotels were already going up,” said
Erny. “The day after the election they were crazy, even Motel 6 was like $500 a night.”
When the group checked on sites such as craigslist.com, they said they were amazed to see homes being put up for rent for as much as $25,000 for just the four day event.
The group hit a streak of good luck when Erny contacted a friend she met while working on Obama’s campaign during the summer and lives in Washington, D.C.
“We are taking sleeping bags and piling on her floor,” said Erny. “She has a one bedroom apartment. It will be like camping out.”
The group will be starting their adventure on Sat. Jan. 17, after the U of L men’s basketball team takes on number-one Pittsburgh.
“We can abandon pretty much anyone for Obama, but we can’t abandon Pitino.”
On the other side of the aisle, the U of L College Republicans do not have anything special planned for that day.
“Even if [Obama] is not our candidate,” said Andrew Carroll, treasurer of the Kentucky Federation of College Republicans as well as the U of L chapter. “This is an historic moment for our country. We should all take time out of our day and watch.”
The expected turnout is about five million said Weber.
“Supposedly the metro and transit people say they can hold like 2 million [people],” said Weber. “I am a little nervous, but looking forward to it.”
According to Weber, there are 10 McConnell Scholar freshmen this year with five Democrats and five Republicans.
“Of the five Dems, four are going on the trip,” Weber said.
The College Democrats of America is holding their winter conference in Washington, D.C. at the same time, coinciding with the inauguration. Students will be kept busy by attending seminars and free concerts and according to Erny, Vice President Joe Biden is expected to be making appearances as well.
“It will be an electric atmosphere,” said Erny. “An amazing day to be in the capital.”
