Opinion: Obama sends his regrets

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Barack Obama’s schedule is a bit hectic at the moment; as he noted at today’s Democratic presidential candidates debate, he was barely able to carve out time to purchase a Christmas tree with his two daughters earlier this week in Chicago.

So it probably came as no surprise to Mike Rowley, the Iowa history buff who was hoping to lure Obama to a ceremony in the state’s far southeastern corner, that the White House contender won’t be able to make it. But at least Rowley got a reply to his invitation.

Rowley, as we wrote about, had called Obama’s attention to an ancestral link to a Revolutionary War veteran. He asked him to join the Iowa chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution later this month at a grave site in the small town of Montrose to honor a veteran of the war who ended up in Iowa.

Obama, in a letter transmitted today, thanked Rowley and congratulated him ‘on the work you do to preserve our shared heritage.’ He also described himself as ‘indescribably proud to know that one of my ancestors fought for our independence and the freedoms we currently enjoy.’

But Obama added: ‘Unfortunately, I will not be able to accept your generous invitation due to previous commitments during this busy time.’

Perhaps Rowley will have better luck next campaign season. (Our advice: schedule the ceremony earlier in the cycle.)

-- Don Frederick