
(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


If there hadn't been a W administration, there never would have been an Obama administration.
I wouldn't attend that idiots inauguration either!
It sort of would be embarrassing to have a WAR CRIMINAL there....that you are harboring....you know....torture, murder, treason...all those republican values.
Thats fine. Dont need no Bushs
GHWB gets a pass because he's not well. I'm sure GWB is way to busy clearing brush or smirking to attend – besides, Jeb might have told him to stay home.
no damn excuse
Oh well!
Bush41: RIP. Bush43: couldn't find his way back to DC without a guide, and besides daddy told him NOT to leave the ranch and no hotel would accept his reservations. Stay in Texas and pollute the air there.
I don't blame him for not attending such a self indulgent BORING "inauguration"!!!
I would guess it's because his dad is still sick and on the mend. I'm sure it's nothing personal. Hope Bush Sr. gets better soon!
So what happened to son Jeb ?
The Shrubs should be in prison and not free to roam the earth and prey on people.
this is a bad thing, how?
Good that they won't attend. They would taint the occasion.
I wouldn't waste my time either, President Bush. The big eared buffoon uhbama will probably just start lecturing everyone.
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Before we all go off on a Troll-Rant, maybe we should all remember that Dubya's Dad just got out of Intensive Care, and there was a real possibility that he might have DIED. The guy wants to spend time with his dad. Let's all try to relate.
Good. The current president does not need this mans input on anything. The whole Bush clan needs to take a long walk on a short pier. Q-Tip included.
What state was the president from who signed the civil rights act and voter rights act from?
The only thing stopping Iran from getting wiped out is Obama. After he is gone, Iran will be in ruins.
Showing who they really are...I understand daddy Bush...but W has no excuse...I'd bet he'd be worshiping Romney's a$$ had he been the one..
Dubya still looks like a buffoon.
No big surprise that the National Embarrassment and his Ashamed Daddy would choose to stay in hiding, rather than remind America of the abject failure of their respective tenures as POTUS.
George W. Bush ?
It's just as well that W isn't there. Because of him there are 1000s of young Americans who were killed in his personal war in Iraq, and they won't get to be at an inauguration. Or with their family. Or to see their children grow up. W ended up killing more Americans for no reason than any terrorist organization ever thought about. We don't ever need him back in DC. Ever.