Why Bush isn't joining Obama at Ground Zero: 5 theories

The former president declines an invitation from his successor to lay a wreath at the World Trade Center site on Thursday. Why?

George W. Bush takes in a baseball game in Texas; the former president has laid low after leaving the White House and so declined to join Obama at Ground Zero Thursday.
(Image credit: Tom Pennington/ Getty Images)

Soon after President Obama decided to to mark the death of Osama bin Laden with a Thursday visit to the World Trade Center site in New York City, he invited George W. Bush to join him. While the former president "appreciated the invite," says Bush spokesman David Sherzer, he declined, having "chosen in his post-presidency to remain largely out of the spotlight." Is that really why Bush turned down the joint appearance at Ground Zero? Here, five theories:

1. Bush is simply classy and gracious

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