George W. Bush To Skip Republican Convention In Tampa
Source: Talking Points Memo
For the second time in a row, Republicans will not host their partys last elected president at their national convention.
President George W. Bush will not attend the GOP convention in Tampa later this summer, TPM has confirmed. Bush joins his father, President George H.W. Bush, in skipping the event. The elder Bush said he could not attend because of health reasons; the younger said he wants to stay out of the political fray weeks before the general election.
He supports Gov. Romney and wants him to succeed, George W. Bush spokesperson Freddy Ford told Politico Friday in a statement confirmed by TPM. President Bush is confident that Mitt Romney will be a great President. But hes still enjoying his time off the political stage and respectfully declined the invitation to go to Tampa.
Ford told TPM he cant speak for the rest of the family when it comes to attending Mitt Romneys official crowing as Republican presidential nominee. Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush (R) is reportedly planning to be on hand for the convention.
Read more: http://2012.talkingpointsmemo.com/2012/07/george-w-bush-to-skip-republican-convention-in-tampa.php?ref=fpnewsfeed
libinnyandia
(1,374 posts)bluestateguy
(44,173 posts)Although this persistent attendance taking by the media--regarding both conventions--is rather stupid.
bulloney
(4,113 posts)A former president not coming to his party convention? Why? Might they find him getting all sloshed and acting like a drunken sailor? Would the mere camera shot of him at the convention remind swing voters how horribly he ran the country?
Will Darth Cheney, Donny Rumdum and any of the other clowns from this administration attend?
Wasn't there a recent report that Romney didn't extend an invitation to the convention to Palin?
This all looks and smells like damage control to me.
Auggie
(31,174 posts)DCKit
(18,541 posts)Lucky for us, he's got no memory, and will be there if he's not too drunk to get on the helicopter.
I so want him front-and-center.
BlueToTheBone
(3,747 posts)skip"
no_hypocrisy
(46,136 posts)just like McCain. *'s presence is the kiss of death for republican campaigns.
stubtoe
(1,862 posts)Pointing out that their economic policies are similar, etc. etc.
Zoeisright
(8,339 posts)Since his main goal in life was to be "famous".
monmouth
(21,078 posts)KamaAina
(78,249 posts)Wouldn't that be Bush 41?
NYC Liberal
(20,136 posts)Art_from_Ark
(27,247 posts)So yeah, that would be bu$h Sr.
edhopper
(33,595 posts)between the policies of GWB and RMoney.
But half the country are too stupid to see that.
struggle4progress
(118,309 posts)sofa king
(10,857 posts)It's not something you see very often the GOP side anymore, but it used to be standard practice for the most prominent living President from the party to deliver the "warhorse" speech at the convention, where the audience is whipped into a froth and the opposition broadsided with the former President's voice and authority.
Reagan did it for H.W. and I think H.W. did it for Shrub. On our side, we've seen Bill Clinton do it twice and I think I remember Jimmy Carter doing it several times. The warhorse speech is usually set for a prime-time slot and it gets wide coverage--which is exactly why they don't want W. to do it.
I have a vague recollection that Nixon really wanted to "help" Jerry Ford at the convention in '76, but he also was invited to stay the hell away.
Which puts W in exactly the company he deserves, doesn't it? At the folding card table in the kitchen, so the adults can enjoy themselves.
Journeyman
(15,036 posts)tabasco
(22,974 posts)Excellent.
Skittles
(153,169 posts)Berlum
(7,044 posts)Bush is the Compleat Republican, a 1% a-hole screw off.
No wonder the other Republicans love him and his Epic FAIL. He is, tragically, the BEST they can do with their pathetic, cesspool-spawned, so-called "family values."
RFKHumphreyObama
(15,164 posts)has turned into a bunch of right wing loonies and Bush the stupider has probably been asked not to come because he's political poison. A fitting legacy for him really
alp227
(32,037 posts)Because Jeb doesn't have as many skeletons in the closet as the two Georges?
cstanleytech
(26,303 posts)so really, does he need more?
SoapBox
(18,791 posts)Hilarious.
Turbineguy
(37,355 posts)I'm skipping it too.
tanyev
(42,583 posts)Major Nikon
(36,827 posts)I guess it would be just too painful for everyone involved to have to see what happened the last time America was stupid enough to elect a Republican presidunce.
dawn frenzy adams
(429 posts)Well he might as well attend. After all, Mittens has hired every psychopath, loser and scumbag from the Bush Administration.
Ready4Change
(6,736 posts)Worst President Ever.
cstanleytech
(26,303 posts)MichiganVote
(21,086 posts)None of these republican elites have any use for the party, any party. They make their own rules however they want.
loyalsister
(13,390 posts)I don't think he wanted to be president. His personal investment was just for fun "it was awesome being famous and powerful" as opposed to "I'm proud that we toppled Sadaam and laid the groundwork for Obama to get OBL.... He has a lot to be ashamed of, but he could have spun some things to indicate he was interested in what he did as president. Chenney and his advisors were in charge. Chennery could never have gotten elected, so they put Bush up to give speeches, sign bills and enjoy the fun parts of being president.
I don't think he wanted to do it and is relieved to be out of it.
Overseas
(12,121 posts)blkmusclmachine
(16,149 posts)2pooped2pop
(5,420 posts)was mistaken for a wind storm and sent thousands ducking for cover.