RICHMOND, Ky. (AP) - Two political rivals teamed up Thursday to tout the progress made toward construction of a facility that will destroy Richmond's stockpile of Cold War-era chemical weapons.

Republican U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell and Democratic congressman Ben Chandler made a rare joint appearance Thursday after touring the destruction site at Blue Grass Army Depot.

But Chandler said afterward not to read too much into his news conference with McConnell. He says he expects to eventually support McConnell's Democratic opponent, Bruce Lunsford. Chandler hasn't yet made a public endorsement.

The current schedule calls for the Richmond weapons to be destroyed by 2017. Both lawmakers said they believe that is an achievable goal.

Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved