NYT: For Bush, Subdued Trip to Family Home

In summers past, President Bush had his filial pride on full display during trips to the family compound here, dutifully escorting his father to the golf course for early morning rounds and bantering about competitive sports.

But in his first visit to the southern Maine coast in two years, Mr. Bush kept a more distant profile for most of this weekend.

Rather than making a highly visible trip to the golf club where his family has played for decades, Mr. Bush went cycling in the woods on Saturday with three men from the local bike rental shop. He skipped a memorial service for his great-aunt on Friday. He was spotted boating with his father — but only by persistent photographers who chartered their own ride out to sea. And on Saturday, his father took the boat out without him.
...
Mr. Bush had some catching up to do not only with his own family but also with the number of visits former President Bill Clinton has made here. The Democrat, who has recently developed a close relationship with the older Mr. Bush, has visited Kennebunkport twice since the president was here last.

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/08/27/washington/27bush.html?ex=1314331200&en=321c97e9daaebc82&ei=5090&partner=rssuserland&emc=rss

The NYT says that one of Maine's local papers carried the caption "Bush plays as protests loom", which I sorta hope wound up on Bar's breakfast tray.

"He skipped a memorial service for his great-aunt on Friday"

"He skipped military funerals for 2624 men and women who died in his war"

"He skipped the remaining days of his Texas Air National Guard duties because they wanted him to piss in a cup and he was using drugs"

"He skipped a fair and honest election in 2000 and 2005 because when you have your brother, Katherine Harris, Diebold and the state of Ohio on your side, who needs it"