COVINGTON — That invitation to a Republican Party inaugural ball hasn't been lost in the mail.

        It hasn't been sent. In fact, it's not even finished.

        But it's close.

        Tischbein Design, a three-person graphic design and marketing firm in Covington, was hired three months ago by a Virginia political consulting firm to design the invitation for one the presidential inauguration celebra tions set for Jan. 20 in Washington.

Marc Tischbein (left), owner of Tischbein Design, and Bryan Kopp, senior art director, show the icon they created for the invitation to a Republican Party ball. (Patrick Reddy photo) | ZOOM |

        “We thought that would be plenty of time to finish the job,” said owner Marc Tischbein. “Who would ever have guessed that the election would take so long to decide?”

        With Democrat Al Gore finally conceding Wednesday and Republican George W. Bush claiming victory, Tischbein senior art director Bryan Kopp can put the final touches on the computer-designed invitation he created for the event.

        “I voted for George Bush,” Mr. Kopp said, “but I really wanted him to win, because if he didn't then this job wouldn't have happened. We weren't hired for the Democrats if they won, just the Republicans.”

        Tischbein only did the design work. The invitations, about 15,000 of them, will be printed near Washington.

        The 13-year-old graphics company has done other political work, designing invitations and campaign material for, among others, the Republican National Commit tee, Kentucky state Sen. Dick Roeding of Lakeside Park and former Kenton County Judge-executive Clyde Middleton of Fort Mitchell.

        “We always like the work,” Mr. Tischbein said, “but it's kind of special to be involved in this election because it has lasted so long and will go down in history.

        “But I think like everybody else,” he said, “we're finally glad it's over.”

        The invitations are likely to be mailed out next week.

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