(CNN) - Neither former President George H.W. Bush nor his son former President George W. Bush will attend the inauguration of President Barack Obama.
Both attended Obama's first inauguration in 2009, when the younger Bush's second term ended. Former presidents often attend inaugurations and have prominent seats alongside legislators, Supreme Court justices and other dignitaries.
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This will be the first inauguration that the elder Bush has missed since 1997, according to spokesman Jim McGrath. That year, former President Bill Clinton was sworn in for his second term.
The elder Bush was released on Monday from a Houston hospital, where he had spent more than a month after being admitted with bronchitis. He spent a week in intensive care as doctors treated a fever.
His doctor said Bush would continue to receive physical therapy as an outpatient. At age 88, he is the oldest living president and is four months older than former President Jimmy Carter.
Freddy Ford, a spokesman for the younger Bush, told CNN, "President and Mrs. Bush wish President Obama and his family all the best for a wonderful inaugural weekend." Ford did not say why Bush would not attend.
Obama will take the oath of office for his second term at noon Sunday, as is constitutionally required, at the White House. The ceremony at the Capitol will be held on Monday.
– CNN's Dave Alsup contributed to this report
From CNN Politics
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If my 88 year old dad had just gotten out of the hospital, I wouldn't be there either.
Bush the Smarter has an excuse for not attending–not so with Shrub.
That is ashame. All of those sad soles thinks by all of them not showing up hurt him it don't and will not matter. Because he the first black is doing and has done a spectacular job. Bush only wish he could have had an ounce of intelligence. Boehner and his no brain dumb little followers have no clue of what they in Washington for. They are sOooOooo jelous this black man has more smart in his toe than all of his little peaons. They have tried everything in their to mack this president look bad and all of them including that clown face no ignorant D.Trump and that extra large nut that scare every thought of the non thinking lost soles on the radio they all need to go jump off the highest cliff. This president has run circles around all those nuts. So they need to get with the Obama program so they stop looking like large group of FOOlS!!!
GW heard it was a cash bar, so what's the point?
Life goes on. Maybe he wants to be with his dad.
Another Bushism to leave the American people (and the international community) wondering WHY they are not attending. At first blush it would appear to be the health of the elder Bush as the cause. However, GW isn't attending either.
But – this certainly is reflective of how the American people are treated by sitting and retired presidents whose pensions we pay a dear price for.
No worries for the rest of their lives, are there?
Despite the fact that they didn't do anything worth bragging to your mother about. She did, though – on that social security check.
So – I think I'll go visit my AMERICAN MOTHER on Inauguration Day and turn the television off.
Who cares!,,,
Perhaps GW wants to be with GH rather than BO after his hospital stay?
Somebody check George on the way out–he looks like he was pilfering the silver.
Thank goodness Little Bush is not coming. If i had to look at that weasel and his wife again i might barf.
But I do wish Big Bush better health.
Why should the Bush family attend this glitzy/expensive affair to be attended mostly by Obamalooneys performer wannabes and druggie friends and contributors from Hollywood and HIS butt kissing big business chummies. That would be like giving credibility to the Magic Kingdom president.
Besides, Moochelle may have nothing to wear on that day!
Why would anybody attend? Obama's presidency is another sad day for our country. It wouldn't be a thrill for me to see either George W. Bush, the worst president ever, or Obama, who is in the running to match Jimmy Carter as the most "do-nothing" president.
Is there anybody on either side of the political spectrum who can be a "good"president for a change?
He shouldn't attend...a failed president doesn't belong on the stage next to Obama.
I'm glad Bush 43 is not going. The best place for him is to be with Bush 41. I'm getting ready to send 43 a thank you note to his Presidential Center in Dallas. I miss you President Bush, I really do.
Good for this nation.
Are we sure George W was invited to the Inauguration? The RNC did not invite him to the Republican Convention in 2012
I wouldn't either.
That is a Blessing. This Country has had enough Bushes to last us a lifetime!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Will Matt Romney attend?
Of course they won't. I wouldn't expect HW to since he has been gravely ill, but W probably doesn't want to lose his bigot card by being there. Or remind the world of how he fracked this country up. Don't worry neither will be missed.
Bush the younger probably has some brush to clear at the ranch. It couldn't be that he is embarrassed to be one of the worst presidents of all time and is STILL in hiding, could it?
Its quite obvious why the younger buish's wont attend. Obama is black !
Bush probably thinks this is another rnc, where he was not welcomed ! LOL
Bush Jr is the reason we are in the fiscal mess we are in. And who destroyed our reputation around the world I might add. Who needs him there. Wish we could just erase him from our history books
The bushes dont stop nothing anyway, but obama is a kind man. We will see obama on tv best wishes to you an michell an family.