Beshear lays out optimistic vision at inauguration, even as political dynamics remain unchanged

Pomp and circumstance were the order of the day as a worship service, parade, swearing-in ceremony, and an inaugural ball marked the start of the Democrat’s second round in the top post.

Beshear watched from a viewing stand around noon as a parade procession as marching bands put on their best show, public officials waved from cars, and organizations filed by with banners.

The official ceremony in front of the Capitol boasted a number of homegrown Kentucky artists, including Ben Sollee and Tyler Childers, who performed what advisor Rocky Adkins described as one of Beshear's favorites, "Universal Sound."

Poet Laureate Silas House contributed a reading that drew heavily upon themes of community and recovery from disaster, noting near the end, "Kentucky, we walk a ways together, whether in cold rain or moonlight. Sometimes the only music is hammers and saws but we keep going, aiming for the high ground."

In his speech, Beshear reprised his trademark optimistic tone, saying it’s Kentucky’s time to make a lasting difference for generations, but also warning about what he described as “toxic” politics that seek to pit Kentuckians against each other.

"Together we will not meet hate with hate, or anger with anger, or even frustration with frustration," the governor said. "Instead, we will continue with the same love, empathy, and compassion which has guided us through so much."

Tuesday marked the beginning of what the administration hopes will be a term that turns the corner from four years of unprecedented challenges – even as the Democrat remains far outnumbered by Republicans in the Capitol.

Yet it's not hard to come out of a day of festive events geared toward putting election year politics in the rear view mirror feeling at least a bit more hopeful. That was the case for Democratic politician-turned-consultant Bob Babbage, who says he’s optimistic about a reset of sorts.

"I'm very hopeful for a new dialogue, a new conversation, and a combined push for major priorities that change us transformationally and forever," he said.

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But the balance of power remains essentially the same in Frankfort, with Beshear the lone high-ranking Democrat paired with an overwhelmingly Republican General Assembly that isn’t sounding intent on giving Beshear any kind of honeymoon.

Senate President Robert Stivers attended the inauguration and Secretary of State Michael Adams was on hand for the parade, but WUKY was unable to get immediate comments from Republicans after Tuesday’s ceremony.

While the governor has made calls for a unity a regular theme, GOP leaders paint a far different picture – with perhaps his most outspoken critic, Senate Majority Leader Damon Thayer, describing the governor and lawmakers as if they might as well exist in different worlds.

"There’s no incentive or reason for us to work with him. … He doesn’t deserve an opportunity for reparation, especially after the campaign," Thayer has said.

Other GOP leaders are not quite so scathing, saying the door is open to work on some issues together. But with supermajorities in both chambers, Republicans like Thayer say they have little reason to work with a governor they can easily leapfrog legislatively.