# Hmmm... Former Pres. Ford not at Bush inauguration. Why? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [January 20, 2005, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hmmm-former-pres-ford-not-at-bush-inauguration-why/285742 "2005-01-20T16:52:45Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 19\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![stuyguy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ec9cab/32.png) [@stuyguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stuyguy)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2005, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hmmm-former-pres-ford-not-at-bush-inauguration-why/285742/1 "2005-01-20T16:52:45Z")
Geo. Bush just opened his speech with a salutation to former presidents Carter, Bush the 1st and Clinton. So Gerald Ford was not there. Anyone know why? ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2005, 4:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hmmm-former-pres-ford-not-at-bush-inauguration-why/285742/2 "2005-01-20T16:58:24Z")
I believe his health is not that good. ---
**Author:** ![An\_Arky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/87869e/32.png) [@An\_Arky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/An_Arky)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2005, 4:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hmmm-former-pres-ford-not-at-bush-inauguration-why/285742/3 "2005-01-20T16:58:33Z")
I’m pretty sure he’s not in the best of health now. ---
**Author:** ![Ace309](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ace309/32/1050_2.png) [@Ace309](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ace309)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2005, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hmmm-former-pres-ford-not-at-bush-inauguration-why/285742/4 "2005-01-20T17:05:23Z")
No linkable cite, but **An Arky** and **Colibri** are correct according to New York City’s Fox affiliate’s news team. They were discussing the inauguration a few days ago on the morning show and the news copy mentioned that Ford would not be attending because of his advanced age. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2005, 5:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hmmm-former-pres-ford-not-at-bush-inauguration-why/285742/5 "2005-01-20T17:08:20Z")
Health. Remember, he also didn’t attend the Clinton library dedication for the same reason. ---
**Author:** ![Eve](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Eve](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eve)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2005, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hmmm-former-pres-ford-not-at-bush-inauguration-why/285742/6 "2005-01-20T17:28:12Z")
He _is_ 91 years old. ---
**Author:** ![Diceman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/22d042/32.png) [@Diceman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diceman)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2005, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hmmm-former-pres-ford-not-at-bush-inauguration-why/285742/7 "2005-01-20T17:30:58Z")
Gerald Ford became a favorite for the 2005 Death Pool after he missed the opening of Clinton’s library. If his health is so bad that he can’t go listen to a speech, then he’s probably not long for this world. ---
**Author:** ![Triskadecamus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b19c9b/32.png) [@Triskadecamus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Triskadecamus)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2005, 5:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hmmm-former-pres-ford-not-at-bush-inauguration-why/285742/8 "2005-01-20T17:43:44Z")
Two airplane rides, and a minimum of two hours in sub freezing weather is a fairly tough set of challenges for any healthy 91 year old man. Give him a break. :rolleyes: ## Tris “Words fail me. I may have to hit someone.” ---
**Author:** ![Munch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/munch/32/5281_2.png) [@Munch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Munch)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2005, 7:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hmmm-former-pres-ford-not-at-bush-inauguration-why/285742/9 "2005-01-20T19:23:11Z")
> [@Triskadecamus](#): > > Give him a break. > > :rolleyes: Who was giving him a hard time? 😕 ---
**Author:** ![Triskadecamus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b19c9b/32.png) [@Triskadecamus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Triskadecamus)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2005, 7:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hmmm-former-pres-ford-not-at-bush-inauguration-why/285742/10 "2005-01-20T19:42:43Z")
> [@Munch](#): > > Who was giving him a hard time? 😕 Well, perhaps I am overly sensitive, but assuming and impending death because of his non attendence seems . . . well, harsh. Tris ---
**Author:** ![Rex\_Fenestrarum](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rex_fenestrarum/32/7265_2.png) [@Rex\_Fenestrarum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rex_Fenestrarum)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2005, 8:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hmmm-former-pres-ford-not-at-bush-inauguration-why/285742/11 "2005-01-20T20:05:30Z")
Since no one has provided an actual cite, [here’s](http://www.news8austin.com/content/your_news/default.asp?ArID=129570) one: _The other surviving former president, Gerald Ford, is 91 and in failing health. He did not attend the ceremony._ ---
**Author:** ![Munch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/munch/32/5281_2.png) [@Munch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Munch)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2005, 8:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hmmm-former-pres-ford-not-at-bush-inauguration-why/285742/12 "2005-01-20T20:41:25Z")
> [@Triskadecamus](#): > > Well, perhaps I am overly sensitive, but assuming and impending death because of his non attendence seems . . . well, harsh. > > Tris I assume you’re referring to Diceman’s post. I believe he was referring to Ford’s inattendance at the Clinton Library opening speech, not the inaugural speech. In which case, the subfreezing weather isn’t a factor. Besides, he was talking about the Death Pool, which will get any celebrity on a list if they so happen to \*sneeze \* anytime between November 1 and December 31. ---
**Author:** ![BobLibDem](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/boblibdem/32/3149_2.png) [@BobLibDem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobLibDem)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2005, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hmmm-former-pres-ford-not-at-bush-inauguration-why/285742/13 "2005-01-20T20:46:40Z")
According to my quick calculations, Ford will tie Reagan’s longevity record on 11/11/2006. Go Gerry! ---
**Author:** ![Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/earl_snake-hips_tucker/32/3269_2.png) [@Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Earl_Snake-Hips_Tucker)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2005, 9:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hmmm-former-pres-ford-not-at-bush-inauguration-why/285742/14 "2005-01-20T21:10:12Z")
I wonder if this is recent. I thought he appeard on “Larry King” not long after Reagan died–or maybe that was an old interview. (I didn’t actually see it.) ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2005, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hmmm-former-pres-ford-not-at-bush-inauguration-why/285742/15 "2005-01-20T21:20:24Z")
> [@Diceman](#): > > Gerald Ford became a favorite for the 2005 Death Pool after he missed the opening of Clinton’s library. If his health is so bad that he can’t go listen to a speech, then he’s probably not long for this world. But only 9 points. Comeon Colin Farrell! (wait am I in the wrong thread?) ---
**Author:** ![dropzone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dropzone/32/7515_2.png) [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2005, 9:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hmmm-former-pres-ford-not-at-bush-inauguration-why/285742/16 "2005-01-20T21:58:09Z")
Ford wasn’t there? Rehnquist look frail? Laura was in white but the twins were in _off_-white, which is probably appropriate? 😉 Hastert’s really gotten fat? What does it all mean?!?!? I haven’t had this much fun since the heyday of _Pravda._ ---
**Author:** ![Diceman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/22d042/32.png) [@Diceman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diceman)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2005, 2:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hmmm-former-pres-ford-not-at-bush-inauguration-why/285742/17 "2005-01-21T02:29:20Z")
> [@Munch](#): > > I assume you’re referring to Diceman’s post. I believe he was referring to Ford’s inattendance at the Clinton Library opening speech, not the inaugural speech. Yep, I was talking about the library opening in Arkansas. Also, he didn’t look too good at Reagan’s funeral. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2005, 2:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hmmm-former-pres-ford-not-at-bush-inauguration-why/285742/18 "2005-01-21T02:45:29Z")
> [@](#): > > Gerald Ford became a favorite for the 2005 Death Pool after he missed the opening of Clinton’s library. If his health is so bad that he can’t go listen to a speech, then he’s probably not long for this world. I could be scoring big then. I also picked Kim Jong-Il and Augusto Pinochet and neither of them were at the library opening or inauguration either. ---
**Author:** ![Abbie\_Carmichael](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/49beb7/32.png) [@Abbie\_Carmichael](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Abbie_Carmichael)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2005, 4:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hmmm-former-pres-ford-not-at-bush-inauguration-why/285742/19 "2005-01-21T04:25:46Z")
He was eaten by wolves. He was delicious …