[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2010/images/07/19/art.getty.chelsea.hillary.jpg caption="President Obama will not attend Chelsea Clinton's wedding, according to White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs."]
Washington (CNN) - White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs said Monday President Obama will not attend the wedding of Chelsea Clinton scheduled for this weekend.
The location and invite list have been guarded like state secrets, but when asked at the end of the Monday White House press briefing whether the president would attend, Gibbs said "no." Previously, Gibbs had said he was not aware of plans, but this is the first time he'd directly indicated the president will not be in attendance. No word on whether the president had actually been invited.
Media reports have the wedding taking place at the former estate of John Jacob Astor, Astor Courts in Rhinebeck, New York on Saturday, July 31. Some local media outlets had reported President Obama was to attend the event after the Secret Service was spotted working on security preparations. The 30 year-old Clinton is marrying longtime friend and beau Marc Mezvinsky, 32.
And why is this news? If the President attends a funeral he'll be criticized for it.
Darn,he was gonna turn it in to a fund raiser for his reelection in 2012. oh,well better luck next time. ha! ha!............
neither am I. I got better things to do.
Certainly the President understands his and the First Lady's presence would only add to the already expected commotion so he is very smart, both politically and socially, in staying away. I am sure he was respectfully invited and respectfully declined. The Clintons understand the position he is in, and I am sure Chelsea will have enough to worry about that day than having the President there stealing any so-called "thunder", though I think he would be smart enough to keep a low profile, but that wouldn't be possible, he is after all the President.
Oh I think he will attend, if only to make a cameo appearance. If he was invited he'll be there out of respect for Hilary and the wonderful job she's been doing. BUT I'm glad that Gibbs is saying he isn't so that we won't have to hear the usual " he should be in the WH 24/7" crap from the right wingnuts.
He's the President, but he's also a human being no matter how hard we try to work him into the ground.
i just can't get over it. Chelsea has always shown by not selling her wedding to the highest bidder, yet the media hound Palins are looking for a reality show for their wedding. Good luck and my God bless your wedding Chelsea.
Conflicts with his tee time (but probably not invited either!
Because he's not 100% in with these elitist snobs.
I'm sure they could use another waiter.
He will meet with Chavez and shake his hand, offer to meet with Ahmadinajad, and bow to Saudi royalty but can't find a day to go to the wedding of the daughter of his Secretary of State? Every day I wake up and say there is nothing else this incompetent president can do to surprise me but every day he proves me wrong. My god, how did this country elect such an incompetent fool for a president?
He won't be going to Neptune either...and that tidbot of info is equally important to knowing that he won't be going to this stupid wedding. NOBODY CARES. Jeeziss Aytch. Who told CNN that we give a crap about Chelsea Clinton's wedding? WHO? Don't be shy...come out and admit it and the punishment will be over quickly, we promise.
Guess Oblammer can't fit this wedding in between his golf games, campaigning and vacations.
Lucky girl...and BTW the real question was he actually even invited because use logic of course secret service men are going to secure this wedding. Anthorer question if he was going would her guest have to pay 30K per person for him being there like his quest are having to do for his birthday bash being thrown in Chicago by his buddy .
I think it was classy of the president to decide not to attend. That will be Chelsea's day and she should not have to be worried about all the comotion of the secret service and the distraction it will cause. I know folk will be ready to make something big of it, but I am sure it was a decision based on the best for all involved.
Is it really that big of a deal? I don't understand why some of you are so personally offended. ... I wouldn't go either.
WHO CARES? I do not care what the clintons do except maybe I hope hiliary runs in 2012 against that worthless nobummer and wins then she get defeated.
I can't believe the level of ignorance from some people, here you have a president who is doing everything he can to work on behalf of "ordinary Americans" and get nothing but hateful words on a minute basis and we just got rid of a president who nearly brought American to its knees financially as well as starting unnecessary wars, but somehow he is hailed as a patriotic, great American, it is right down sickening. How is a person to think anything other than it has a lot to do with his race??
Some people need to criticize others and put them down. It adds something to their unfortunate miserable lives.
This time i must say it is the right decision. This young lady has lived in a spotlight not of her own choosing her entire life. She will already have at least 1 former President(maybe more)–enough secret service to fill a ballroom. I find it admirable that the Clintons have been able to keep a tight lid on this and protect her as much as possible. Will it actually be in Rhinebeck–who knows–don't bet on it. But wherever it is Congratulations Chelsea – have a wonderful life.
Wow, you haters can't help yourselves can you? You hate the Clintons, you hate Obama, you hate all Democrats so you bash this article for no other reason than to express your hatred for them. If the President goes to the wedding he would be criticized. If he doesn't go, well, then he must have not been invited because Hillary is going to run against him in 2012!! Yeah, right. Hillary is his Secretary of State and you think she wouldn't invite him out of sheer courtesy (and he wouldn't decline out of sheer courtesy? Bunch of hateful (and really stupid) tbaggers, aren't you?
This is a relief. I could already picture some self-styled Hero for the Real America – maybe one of the more virulent contributors to these columns – crashing a plane into the assembly.
Very thoughtful of the president to not steal the spotlight from the happy couple. Blessing to all. Mazel Tov!
His attending would cause an even larger security nightmare for this family event.
Besides the Republicans will criticize him regardless of whether he went or didn't. They are so desperate they can only criticize since they have NOTHING to offer in restoring our nation and helping the PEOPLE.
Laverne wrote: "I can't believe the level of ignorance from some people..."
Believe it. Anonymity is Ignorance's spokesperson and right-hand man, I'm afraid.
Because they saw Secret Service working on it, they assumed Obama would attend? Did they forget that the bride's father is a former president and, therefore, eligible for Secret Service protection? Duh.
Besides, why would Obama attend? He's not related or even a close personal friend of the family. He's just her mom's boss. They're making mountains out of molehills.