Elder Bush refuses to attend Kennedy's funeral Son attending is enough, Bush I says 
Former President George H. W. Bush, who has enough stamina to sky-dive each year on his birthday, apparently doesn't have the stamina to attend Sen. Ted Kennedy's (D-MA) funeral.
The elder Bush's spokesman told the AP Friday that the 43rd president decided not to attend when he learned that his son would be going.
A spokesman for Bush said Friday that he and his wife, Barbara, decided not to attend Kennedy's funeral after learning their son, former President George W. Bush, would attend.
Spokesman Jim McGrath quipped that Bush Sr. feels his son's presence will "amply and well represent" the family at Kennedy's funeral Saturday.
In a statement released following Kennedy's passing, the elder Bush released a statement saying that he "always respected" Kennedy.
"While we didn't see eye-to-eye on many political issues through the years, I always respected his steadfast public service," Bush said in a statement.
Kennedy "was a seminal figure in the United States Senate - a leader who answered the call to duty for some 47 years, and whose death closes a remarkable chapter in that body's history," he added.
Bush released a condolence statement on behalf of him and his son immediately after Kennedy's death. It was part of a stream of fond remembrances issued by Republicans.
All other living presidents -- President Barack Obama, President Bill Clinton, President George W. Bush and President Jimmy Carter -- will be attending.
-John Byrne
The Raw Story Quote:
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A spokesman for Bush said Friday that he and his wife, Barbara, decided not to attend Kennedy's funeral after learning their son, former President George W. Bush, would attend.
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Maybe he's not attending because his son is and he doesn't want to be around his son.
j/k