"I've always respected his steadfast public service, but..." Na ga do, as Dana Carvey would say.

[Amerigo Vespucci]

Former President George H. W. Bush, who has enough stamina to sky-dive each year on his birthday, apparently doesn't have the stamina to attend Sen. Ted Kennedy's (D-MA) funeral.

The elder Bush's spokesman told the AP Friday that the 43rd president decided not to attend when he learned that his son would be going.

A spokesman for Bush said Friday that he and his wife, Barbara, decided not to attend Kennedy's funeral after learning their son, former President George W. Bush, would attend.

Spokesman Jim McGrath quipped that Bush Sr. feels his son's presence will "amply and well represent" the family at Kennedy's funeral Saturday.

In a statement released following Kennedy's passing, the elder Bush released a statement saying that he "always respected" Kennedy.

"While we didn't see eye-to-eye on many political issues through the years, I always respected his steadfast public service," Bush said in a statement.

Kennedy "was a seminal figure in the United States Senate - a leader who answered the call to duty for some 47 years, and whose death closes a remarkable chapter in that body's history," he added.

Bush released a condolence statement on behalf of him and his son immediately after Kennedy's death. It was part of a stream of fond remembrances issued by Republicans.

All other living presidents -- President Barack Obama, President Bill Clinton, President George W. Bush and President Jimmy Carter -- will be attending.

http://rawstory.com/blog/2009/08/elder-bush-refuses-to-attend-kennedys-funeral/

[hedgehog]

1. I forgot about the sky diving.

http://www.huliq.com/5972/82160/former-president-george-bush-h-w-bush-skydives-85th-birthday

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CJzUT77MCk8

[SoCalDem]

2. Barbara's blue dress won't be back from the cleaners in time

:)

[aquart]

3. Churl.

[Chulanowa]

4. Well, he's right

Junior WILL "amply and well represent" the family at the funeral. Motherfucker will probably show up in boots and a T-shirt, pick his nose, and hten pass out with his hand in his pants. The pinnacle of the Bush Dynasty will surely be on display

[guitar man]

8. yeah and the only reason junior is going

is he thinks there will be free booze there :eyes:

[alsame]

5. Bastard. Unless he's ill, he should be there. As for representing

the family, Barney and Mrs. Beasley would be the best choice.

[WI_DEM]

6. It would interrupt their golf date?

[Rincewind]

7. G.H.W. Bush says " I refuse to appear in public with G.W. Bush"

That's what I think the headline should say:evilgrin:

[Kahuna]

13. Good catch.

;)

[dsc]

9. Kennedy deserves better

Though the elder Bush looked really bad at Obama's inaguration so maybe he is ill.

[ljm2002]

10. It was never a question of representing the Bush family...

...rather, it was a question of showing respect to one of the towering figures of the Senate by having all living Presidents attend his funeral.

Of course the Bush's would find a way to wriggle out, snubbing their noses at the good people of this world is a way of life with them.

[Stinky The Clown]

11. Fuck him. Fuck her. Fuck their spawn

[redqueen]

12. He should stay away.

Him, especially.