as a favor for another fellow on DU, who thinks this story should hit the information superhighway, and so here we go.

from the local paper:

Louisville Metro Mayor Jerry Abramson said the White House turned down his request to welcome President Bush when Air Force One landed at Louisville International Airport.

Instead, Abramson said, he was offered a ticket to the Kentucky Center where Bush spoke.

But Abramson, a Democrat, said he turned that down because he had a previously scheduled meeting. Bush was greeted, among others, by Kelly Downard, chairman of the Metro Council's GOP Caucus.

Abramson said he was disappointed he didn't have the opportunity to welcome Bush as he had done with Presidents Ronald Reagan, George H.W. Bush and Bill Clinton.