U.S. Rep. Ken Lucas of Boone County was among the 50 or so Democrats who attended a White House lunch Monday to mark President Bush's first 100 days in office.

        All 535 members of Congress were invited to attend, but only about 200 showed. Many members have not returned to Washington from the two-week Easter recess that ended Monday, said White House spokesman Ari Fleischer.

        As the only Democrat in Kentucky's federal delegation, Mr. Lucas clearly saw the luncheon as an opportunity to reaffirm his posture as a conservative willing to cross party lines.

        “I sense a different climate and attitude up here,” Mr. Lucas said after the lunch. “I'm very hopeful meaningful things can get done on education and other issues.”

        Mr. Bush, a Republican, used a similar message during what Mr. Lucas described as “brief remarks” during the event.

        “We've had some good debates, we've made some good progress and it looks like we're going to pass some good law,” Mr. Bush told lawmakers gathered in the Rose Garden. “I know we don't always agree, but we're beginning to get a spirit here in Washington where we're more agreeable, where we're setting a different tone.”

        Mr. Lucas said he wants the White House and Congress to agree on at least a partial prescription drug benefit for senior citizens.

        “I think we can afford it and we really owe it to our seniors and the American people,” he said.

Race panel leaders to be named
Tristate getting desperate for rain
Lower-income Ohioans more likely play lottery
Police pulled from FBI teams
Can Shirey do job with ax over his head?
City poised to vote on profiling remedy
Inspectors cite Christ Hospital
PULFER: Whistler makes music anywhere
Reagan Highway work on last lap
Covington jail likely on hold
Thomas More acts on accreditation warning
Agency identifies faults
Children may have caused fatal fire
DNA testing leads to murder charge
Retiree dies saving friend
Butler Co. townships expand commerce
Enquirer's Tri-County news bureau relocates
Even a little lead harms kids, Tristate doctor finds
Ky. Speedway sued over tax-free status
Lucas at Bush luncheon, sends 'get-along' signals
Man sentenced in UC student's death
Mysteries persist in slaying
Plans for new school face review
Adults find new option for college
Campbell County losing principal
In The Schools
Kentucky Digest
Kentucky Education Notes
Killer denied another trial
Local Digest
Schools' CARE program will move
Students revive Civil War era
Unclaimed tax refunds total $38,780
Druggists trick would-be OxyContin thieves