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Stabenow, Levin regard presidency with few celebrations

January 22, 2001

WASHINGTON - It’s like attending the Academy Awards, minus a nomination.

While U.S. Sens. Debbie Stabenow and Carl Levin are no thespians, they can likely relate to the actors who attend the annual glitzy gala despite lacking a chance to win.

You see, Michigan’s two senators are Democrats.

And this was no Democrat weekend. The man whom they both campaigned vigorously for, Al Gore, didn’t win the presidential election.

So much like the actors who watch and respect the acquaintance who captures a golden Oscar statue, Stabenow, of Lansing, and Levin, of Detroit, respect the presidential victor - George W. Bush.

They just didn’t go out of their way to celebrate during an inauguration weekend full of Republican madness.

Both Stabenow and Levin think the most talented of those vying for the presidency is out of a job.

“Certainly this won’t be as exciting as it was four years ago,” Stabenow said Friday, speaking of President Clinton’s second inauguration.

Levin, who Clinton, during his visit to MSU earlier this month, called one of the most respected men in the Senate, attended a very short list of events.

“I’m not making the rounds the way I would have if this would have been for the Democrats,” Levin said Friday.

One highly respected U.S. House Democrat, though, said he doesn’t bother to alter his gala schedule anymore - despite which party’s candidate is moving into the White House.

This weekend was the seventh inauguration ceremony for Rep. Dale Kildee, a 13-term congressman from Flint. He makes appearances at select events, but doesn’t overdo it.

“I’ve enjoyed each” inauguration, Kildee said at Saturday night’s Republican-dominated Michigan Society Ball, before admitting he’s had more fun when his party was transferring into power.

Meanwhile, several Michigan Republicans were seen at a slew of events throughout the nation’s capital between Thursday and Saturday.

Freshman U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers, R-Brighton, said his weekend was so full of galas and office so flooded with event-ticket requests that his office staff couldn’t “wait for Sunday.”

State Rep. Mike Bishop, R-Rochester, who traveled to Washington with wife Cristina, said his social calendar was so packed that “it’s been like a scavenger hunt, trying to make it to as many events as quick as you can.”

Meanwhile, Levin and Stabenow had less hectic social schedules - both senators attending only a select few gatherings.

Stabenow and Levin, out of formality, sat behind Bush during his inauguration speech Saturday. All members of the U.S. House and Senate share the stage with the president during the swearing-in ceremony.

Both senators took to an inaugural lunch, and the Michigan ball Saturday night. Sandwiched in between functions was a Senate session, where seven Cabinet positions were officially filled, including the Energy Secretary post that is now occupied by recently ousted U.S. Sen. Spence Abraham, of Auburn Hills.

That, though, was about it.

Stabenow on Friday actually took advantage of Republicans flooding the capital city by holding an open house to meet and greet constituents who may not have shared her views during November’s election.

“It’s important to me to be reaching out to people who may have voted for someone else,” said Stabenow, who took her post Jan. 3 after defeating incumbent Abraham last year. “Now’s the time to work together.”

Each legislator was designated a block of tickets to weekend festivities, and she knows most of her passes to functions were doled out to Republicans.

And that’s OK with her.

“That’s appropriate,” Stabenow said. “It’s a predominately Republican weekend. And it’s their day. We wanted to make sure everyone has a good time.”

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