Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: MONDAY, August 9, 1993 TAG: 9308090102
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: BOWLING GREEN LENGTH: Medium
Assured Clinton had been invited to the Boy Scout Jamboree, the 13-year-old from Binghamton, N.Y., looked skeptical.
"It's not that far. He should be here," Billy said.
Clinton broke with recent tradition in not addressing the more than 30,000 Boy Scouts gathered for the jamboree, the Scouts' quadrennial national campout.
President Bush spoke to the gathering at the last jamboree in 1989, and President Reagan sent his wife, Nancy, in his stead in 1985, when he was recuperating from colon surgery.
The jamboree typically features at least one address from a major political figure in between the sporting events and traditional outdoor activities.
Boy Scout officials said a visit from the White House has been especially common in recent years when the event has been held at the Caroline County Army base 70 miles and a short helicopter ride from Washington.
"I know he's got a lot of things to do, but it's an American tradition and he's breaking it," said Michael Shattan, 16, also from Binghamton.
Other Scouts seemed nonplussed when asked about Clinton.
"I really don't care," said Mike Cook, 17, from Hillsboro, Ore.
Fellow Hillsboro Scout Trent Grimm, 16, nodded agreement. "We weren't really expecting it anyways."
Rumors flew all day that Clinton would appear or perhaps send Vice President Al Gore. But Boy Scout spokesman Darryl Ewing said it was clear Saturday night that the president would not appear.
"We hoped for that but it's been a definite no," Ewing said.
The White House made no official comment on why Clinton declined the invitation.
About 80,000 Scouts and visitors sat on the grass Sunday night and listened to country music singer Louise Mandrell.
The show was the last large stage event of the 1993 jamboree, which concludes Tuesday. The weeklong event drew Scouts from every state and from more than 50 foreign countries.
by CNB