Terry McBrayer

DENVER – Appearing at his first state delegation breakfast of the convention, Governor Steve Beshear (D-Lexington) addressed the crowd this morning in Denver. He was part of a line-up that included former state party chair Terry McBrayer and presumptive presidential nominee Barack Obama’s (D-Ill.) environmental advisor, professor Dan Esty.

Most of the Kentucky delegation then went several blocks east from their downtown Denver hotel to a restaurant for a luncheon featuring a little non-political star power. Actress Ashley Judd, who grew up in the Bluegrass state, joined the delegates for a meal.

Judd also sat with the delegation in the Pepsi Center last night.

The Kentucky delegation was offered the opportunity to bike from their hotel to the luncheon by the “Freewheelin’” program – an organization providing free bikes at the convention as part of an effort to make the event more environmentally-friendly.

When asked how by party chair Jennifer Moore how many would bike from the morning breakfast, at least a dozen Kentuckians raised their hands.

More from Denver coming shortly on PolitickerKY.com.

DENVER – In the aftermath of U.S. Sen. Hillary Clinton’s “unity” speech last night at the Democratic National Convention, Kentucky’s delegates were effusive in their praise for Clinton’s remarks while some previously outspoken advocates of her campaign sounded ready to jump into the camp of presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama (D-Ill.).

“She preached party unity,” said Kentucky Clinton Delegation Whip Harold Robinson of Frankfort. “It was something that needed to be done.”

Micah Spicer, a Clinton delegate from Wingo, said the New York lawmaker’s speech hit the right buttons, noting he would ultimately get behind Obama’s candidacy.

“I thought she did an excellent job. She talked to the crowd she needed to talk to and made it clear she was supporting Obama,” said Spicer. “After the roll call, after all is said and done, we’re going to get behind Obama.”

Many Kentucky Democrats referenced one specific line of Clinton’s speech as the most significant, including Attorney General Jack Conway (D-Louisville).

DENVER -- The whirlwind of activity surrounding the Democratic National Convention will find Kentucky's delegation all over Denver today, with events capped off by a party jointly hosted by those from the Bluegrass state, Ohio, and Alabama.

Delegates started the day this morning with their daily breakfast at their downtown Denver hotel.

Keynoting today's meeting was U.S. Rep. John Yarmuth, who blasted the Bush administration as a galvanizing force to unify Democrats across the nation.

Kentucky Democratic Party chair Jennifer Moore emceed the event and announced that, during each day's breakfast, she would highlight a different set of races. Today she spoke about Kentucky's state Senate races.

Much of the Kentucky Democratic delegation was also in attendance, including Attorney General Jack Conway (D-Louisville), Lt. Gov. Daniel Mongiardo (D-Hazard), Louisville attorney and Obama fundraiser Matthew Barzun, former party chairs Terry McBrayer and Jerry Lundergan, state Auditor Crit Luallen (D-Frankfort), and several Louisville metro council members.