Obama, Bush, Clinton to travel to South Africa | White House News | Political News | Comcast
The White House said Friday that President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama would travel to South Africa next week to pay their respects. They will be joined on Air Force One by former President George W. Bush and wife Laura Bush, who "gratefully accepted" the invitation from the Obamas, a Bush spokesman said.
The White House said travel arrangements were still being made and it was unclear when the Obamas and Bushes would depart. A memorial service for Mandela will be held Tuesday at a stadium in Johannesburg, followed by a smaller funeral on Dec. 15 in Mandela's hometown.
Former President Bill Clinton said he also planned to travel to South Africa, along with his wife, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. It was unclear whether the Clintons would also fly on Air Force One.
President Obama was a no-show at Margaret Thatcher's funeral despite being invited to attend and thus snubbing England's invitation as a representative of the American people.
Joe Biden also refused, as did Hillary Clinton. (By the way, former Secretary of State George Schultz went to the funeral ...)
The British took note of the fact that the Obama administration chose not to send a single senior member of the Cabinet.
In fact, no actively serving, elected Democrat attended Lady Thatcher's funeral.
The White House said Friday that President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama would travel to South Africa next week to pay their respects. They will be joined on Air Force One by former President George W. Bush and wife Laura Bush, who "gratefully accepted" the invitation from the Obamas, a Bush spokesman said.
The White House said travel arrangements were still being made and it was unclear when the Obamas and Bushes would depart. A memorial service for Mandela will be held Tuesday at a stadium in Johannesburg, followed by a smaller funeral on Dec. 15 in Mandela's hometown.
Former President Bill Clinton said he also planned to travel to South Africa, along with his wife, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. It was unclear whether the Clintons would also fly on Air Force One.
President Obama was a no-show at Margaret Thatcher's funeral despite being invited to attend and thus snubbing England's invitation as a representative of the American people.
Joe Biden also refused, as did Hillary Clinton. (By the way, former Secretary of State George Schultz went to the funeral ...)
The British took note of the fact that the Obama administration chose not to send a single senior member of the Cabinet.
In fact, no actively serving, elected Democrat attended Lady Thatcher's funeral.