By

Stephanie Condon /

CBS News/ August 9, 2012, 2:06 PM

All but one of the living former presidents and VPs skipping conventions

Former President George W. Bush addresses the audience at a $1 million fundraiser for Romney, then the Republican Massachusetts gubernatorial candidate, in 2002 in Boston, Massachusetts.

/ TIM SLOAN/AFP/Getty Images


Former President George W. Bush

Former President George W. Bush has turned down his invitation to attend the Republican National Convention in Tampa in late August. "He's still enjoying his time off the political stage and respectfully declined the invitation," his spokesperson said.

Given his shaky popularity rating, Mr. Bush's presence at the convention may not have helped Mitt Romney anyway: A recent CNN/ORC poll shows that 54 percent of Americans have an unfavorable view of Mr. Bush, making President Obama's predecessor the only living president with an approval rating below 50 percent.

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Harry1899 says:
The article erroneously states that George Bush 43 is "the only living President with a popularity rating below 50 percent." No Obama's is below 50 percent. Jimmy Carters is below 50 percent among people who are old enough (55+) to remember what a disaster her was.
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wfw3536 says:
The Dems must be really happy with Clinton, a man of such high morals. Oh, that right he is the person who said, "I did not have sex with that woman". And then they have E Warren speaking at the convention, who used her story about being an American Indian to game the system for her benefit. She really owes the American Indians an apology.
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ProgressIsTheFuture replies:
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I guess since you can't go after him on his economic policies all that is left for you is "morals," pathetic
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takacrat says:
I'm sure that he is going to get the Head Job Speech of his life!
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nohater says:
don't care for clinton's politics but like how he got monica, got caught and got away with it including the act of adultery which hillary accepted and didn't divorce bill. what man among us wouldn't want to have it all as bill clinton has had when it comes to doing what he did so excellently. from photos, monica looked good at the time and she served bill clinton the sitting potus extremely well.
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ProgressIsTheFuture replies:
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I guess since you can't go after him on his economic policies all that is left for you is "morals," pathetic
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venusvegasvada says:
GW Bush- Hiding on GOP orders. The last thing Romney needs is for GWB to show up and have him compare his economic plan to Romney's. Because they are the same.

Clinton- Steps up to the plate. You have to hand it to Bill.

Gore- There (but not there) by commenting on both conventions.

Cheney- Going fishing. The GOP's VP of the decade told the hide, shut up and stay out of sight.

HW Bush- Can't speak Tea-Party. He's part of the old guard that the GOP is flushing down the toilet. You remember them? The ones that could compromise on issues for the good of the nation?

Quayle- Nice guy, but a Poison Pill. GOP sent him fishing tickets with Cheney.

Jimmy Carter- Getting up there in years. I could see him sitting this one out. He's earned it.

Mondale- See Carter.
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Goodnayber says:
"Only one former President"... would have been preferable to "only one prez" (used in list of headlines), as "prez" Obama will most likely be at the convention too, :-)!, and "former presidents" preferable to "living former presidents" (used as the headline for the article screen) as those no longer living would most likely not be expected (or encouraged,:-)) to be in attendance,:-)...(I'm just sayin', :-)!!!)
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Goodnayber says:
"Only one former President"... would have been preferable to "only one prez" (used in list of headlines), as "prez" Obama will most likely be at the convention too, :-)!, and "former presidents" to "living former presidents" (used as the headline for the article screen) as those no longer living would most likely not be expected (or encouraged,:-)) to be in attendance,:-)...(I'm just sayin', :-)!!!)
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talkin2u924 says:
Wow, says a lot about the state of our political environment. Perhaps even the old guard are tired of the name calling and hostile nature of the business anymore. Perhaps we should all take a hint and be out of the house when the conventions are on. Ha ha.
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gjc1n1 says:
I don't know why ANYONE would go to EITHER convention. Everything has been decided ahead of time, there is no mystique. It's just a high-flying vacation for the political wackos.
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lesserof2evil says:
He's going fishing cause he couldn't find anyone to go hunting with. FACT
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