"Incoming House Speaker Nancy Pelosi took a pass, too — as did about 500 of the 535 members of Congress."
Pelosi should be ashamed of herself for not attending the service.
Interesting. Thanks for posting.
this is the non event of the century. Before he died nobody cared about him one way or the other. No reason everyone should pretend to care now.
So should President Bush.
It seems to me it is more likely bad timing than anything else.
I actually thought "the main event" (pardon the analogy) was on Tuesday at the National Cathedral.
When Reagan's body was in the Rotunda, I remember people coming and paying their respects, but I don't remember seeing a lot of dignitaries at the ceremony that was similar to the one last night.
I thought the attendance at that ceremony was limited due to the size of the Rotunda. I may be wrong on this one, but even though it was termed his funeral, the ceremony at the National Cathedral is when all the out of country dignitaries and political figures will show up.
As should President Bush.
It is sad but President Ford was no Ronald Reagan...
Boy, that doesn't look good, does it? Washington Post at it again, or could/should G.W. have been there?
Just wondering.
""Everybody's got to deal with their own schedule," Sensenbrenner, who brought his wife and son to the funeral, said of his absent colleagues. In his minority view, funerals "are important," he said. "When you're in an official position, it's one of the things that's the right thing to do."
Why didn't W Bush show up? It's former president state funeral... only very few former presidents were still alive before Ford died: Ford, a lunatic peanut farmer, a BJ-president, and his own father.
Actually, all of them are shameful, including Bush. This man was our President for awhile. Makes me even think less of our Congress than before, if that is possible.
sad ping
His true friends were there; that's what's most important.
Milbank is a bitter POS with no class
So should President Bush. There's no excuse for him not attending.
Dana Milbank is a nasty, no-class, POS. Couldn't the Washington Post do any better than this article?
I think there is more to the story- such as the fact this is not the final event in a series of ceremonies. That said, while the former President lies in the Capitol, there should have been more from Congress. It is more than a sign of agreement with policies or personalities, it is a gesture of respect for the Office of the Presidency. The one out I give is to President Bush, who I'm sure if he was asked to go, would have gone. He is a gentleman.
WpPo can't resist taking a shot. FOX News said President Bush was detained because of weather. Either FNC lied or the Washington Post made a false claim.
As usual, The Washington Post never misses a chance to put a negative spin on Bush et al.
This was NOT a state funeral; that will be on Tuesday, and President Bush will be speaking. More than likely, the Clintons, Pelosi, etc., will also be there. Saturday night was set aside as a time for a few of President Ford's friends and former associates to eulogize him. In case no one noticed, the place was packed...