By Brad Atzinger

Two of the most powerful legislators in the nation shared a stage at the University of Louisville yesterday when Senate Democratic Leader Sen. Harry Reid visited on behalf of the McConnell Center.

The Nevada democrat presented to a packed house in Bigelow Hall yesterday at 8 a.m. Despite the early-morning appointment, students and faculty eagerly anticipated this historic event for U of L.

“In these divisive times, it is quite unusual to have Senate majority and minority leaders appear together,” said Gary Gregg, U of L’s Mitch McConnell chair in leadership and director of the McConnell Center. “Given that, we think Reid’s discussion will be timely, educational and of national interest.”

Reid focused much of his lecture on bipartisanship, and the importance of party leadership working together in congress.

“In public, [Sen. Mitch McConnell] and I are only seen screaming and hollering at each other,” said Reid. “But that’s not how it works behind the scenes.”

Reid met privately with the McConnell Scholars and other U of L faculty members at the Brown Hotel in downtown Louisville Sunday night.

Monday’s public lecture, however, demanded more attention. Several national media outlets were at the university for Reid’s visit.

Though the powerful men took no verbal jabs at each other during the cordial visit, students were impressed by the spectacle.

“I was kind of in awe seeing the two Senate leaders on the same stage right in front of me,” said sophomore chemistry major Kala Faulkner. “It certainly made me proud to be a McConnell Scholar.”

Reid said that while his party is currently in control, the margin is very slight.

“My majority is a slim majority, 51-49,” said Reid. He cited the party dissent of Democrat Joe Lieberman on Iraw War issues as further proof of the delicate balance.

The Iraq War inspired other dissenters to attend the lecture in protest of both Reid and McConnell.

A small band of Democrats from the “Iraq Campaign” held signs at the end of Reid lecture urging troop pullout, and informing McConnell that his “Time is Up.”

“Mitch McConnell has been the water boy for Bush’s failed Iraq policy,” said protester George Hanrahan, a 1983 graduate of U of L.

Others saw flaws in Reid’s presentation. “I felt like he dodged a few questions, and he wasn’t as open as I had hoped,” said Forrest Pittman, a sophomore biochemistry major.

Reid reiterated that the real business of the Senate goes on away from the cameras.

“Sen. McConnell and I have a good relationship,” Reid said. “He keeps the integrity of the Senate in mind.”

Despite the good nature between the party leaders, Reid made sure to point out that there are important political differences between them.”I am a Democrat, and proud to be so,” Reid said.

The McConnell Center has hosted a slew of dignitaries, including Sen. Ted Kennedy and President George W. Bush.