I thought Secretary of State Trey Grayson gave the best speech but it was a little odd. Immediately after saying that Kentuckians want their elected officials to "set aside partisanship" because "that's the old way," Grayson called for abolishing straight ticket voting on Kentucky ballots. Some folks applauded. But Governor Steve Beshear and his wife Jane, who were seated to Grayson's immediate right, didn't clap. I suspect it has something to do with the number of old school democrats, and in many cases, black voters, who often vote the straight party democratic ticket.

Other notes from the swearing in: Former Chief Justice John Palmore swore in Crit Luallen. Luallen called Palmore a Kentucky treasure. Attorney General Jack Conway said he will likely reorganize his office to focus more on cybercrimes. He also pledged to pursue lawsuit against pharmaceutical companies who have "wrongly marketed pills" and, in his view, helped hook thousands of Kentuckians on prescription drugs.