Reply #3: I think he had no choice.

[Straight Shooter]

If he had not attended, it would have been considered a great slap in the fact of Mrs. King's memory. It was strictly a political decision based on his squatter status in the Oval Office. If he had not been there, the uproar would have been just as great. At least he didn't seem to be having his usual jovial good time with pre-screened audiences. I bet the contempt in the room was palpable.

Lord, Lord, though, why did they have to put him right behind the podium. I just finished talking with a friend on the phone, (who is only casually interested in politics), and he said, "If bush is going to attend a funeral, he should have the decency to leave his smirk at home."