By VINAYA SAKSENA

CUMBERLAND — Mayor Daniel McKee will not be in his office on Monday, as he will be on his way to see the president.

The mayor has been invited to travel to Washington D.C. to witness President George W. Bush’s State of the Union Address that night. And to hear him talk Wednesday, McKee was clearly excited about the trip.
“For anyone who’s into their government, this is kind of like going to the Super Bowl,” the mayor said. “It gives me a good opportunity to soak up democracy in action. I’m very excited about it.”
McKee will be making the trip as a guest of U.S. Rep. Patrick Kennedy, who announced his invitation to the mayor in a written statement this week. For his part, the mayor said the trip to the nation’s capital would be special for him for several reasons, not the least of which was the amount of time since his last visit there.
“I’ve only been to Washington once (before),” he said. “This is the first time I’ve been to Washington as a mayor.”
McKee said he had been invited to Washington D.C. by members of the state’s congressional delegation in the past, but was unable to go due to the combined commitments of public office and family.
However, he said the time was right for the visit now. Kennedy said in a statement that he had his own reason for feeling it was appropriate and important for the mayor to join him for the president's address to the nation.
"Mayor McKee epitomizes the plight of mayors across the country facing diminishing resources from the state and federal governments, as well as the challenges innate in running a municipality," Kennedy said in a statement. "He is quickly becoming known in national circles as an innovator and strategic thinker, particularly in the area of education."
Kennedy praised McKee for his efforts to change the way public education is administered in order to make it more cost effective. He specifically cited the Office of Children, Youth and Learning, created last year, as an example of these efforts, praising its mission of fostering “civic engagement” and providing “a comprehensive learning environment.”
McKee, meanwhile, said he hoped to speak to Kennedy about this and other educational initiatives he has been working on, including a proposed regional school. He said he also hoped to address the rising cost of energy, and the possibility of legislation to close legal loopholes affecting energy industry speculation, which he said was believed to be contributing to rising energy costs.
The mayor also said he hoped to connect with other legislators on Capitol Hill and possibly foster relationships with them. However, he acknowledged that there was only so much he could do in the two days he expected to be in Washington, and he had no trouble accepting that reality.
“I don’t think I’ll get to talk to the president,” McKee said. “But I think it will be interesting to see if I can meet (other officials). I’m thankful to the congressman for the invitation, and I look forward to the trip.”