No Bush, no Hillary: Big-name no-shows for GOP, Dem conventions

May 24, 2013 | 12:10 pm

J. Scott Applewhite

Sarah Palin

FILE - In this Feb. 11, 2012 file photo, Sarah Palin, the GOP candidate for vice-president in 2008, and former Alaska governor speaks in Washington. Sarah Palin and George W. Bush won’t be in Tampa. Hillary Rodham Clinton and Al Gore aren’t making the trip to Charlotte. And scores of other Republican and Democratic stars are taking a pass as their parties gather at every-four-years national conventions. The reasons are varied _ and political. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

Chris O'Meara

Tampa, Fla., Skyline, Republican National Convention

The Tampa Bay Times Forum shown Thursday, Aug. 16, 2012, in Tampa, Fla., is the site of the 2012 Republican National Convention. The 2012 Republican National Convention will be held in Tampa, Florida the week of August 27. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)

Chuck Burton

Time Warner Cable Arena

The Time Warner Cable Arena in downtown Charlotte, N.C., is shown Thursday, Aug. 16, 2012. The arena is one of the sites for the Democratic National Convention. The convention starts on Sept. 3, 2012. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)(AP Photo/Chuck Burton)

LM Otero

George W. Bush

FILE - In this June 16, 2012 file photo, former President George W. Bush smiles as he takes in a baseball game in Arlington, Texas. The Rangers won 8-3. Sarah Palin and George W. Bush won’t be in Tampa. Hillary Rodham Clinton and Al Gore aren’t making the trip to Charlotte. And scores of other Republican and Democratic stars are taking a pass as their parties gather at every-four-years national conventions. The reasons are varied _ and political. (AP Photo/LM Otero, File)

Carolyn Kaster

Hillary Rodham Clinton

FILE - In this July 24, 2012 file photo, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton speaks at the State Department in Washington. Sarah Palin and George W. Bush won’t be in Tampa. Hillary Rodham Clinton and Al Gore aren’t making the trip to Charlotte. And scores of other Republican and Democratic stars are taking a pass as their parties gather at every-four-years national conventions. The reasons are varied _ and political. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster, File)