First family wedding seeks cover in Texas

US Features

May 9, 2008, 11:47 GMT

Washington - A first family wedding with no paparazzi? Jenna Bush, the daughter of President George W. Bush EPA/PETER FOLEY

Jenna Bush, the daughter of President George W. Bush EPA/PETER FOLEYPresidential daughter Jenna Bush is retreating to the family home in Crawford, Texas, to get married Saturday, ducking the demand for publicity that would have gone with a White House wedding, even though the event might have raised her father's sagging popularity. She's the first presidential child to take vows with dad in office since 1992. That's when US President George W Bush's sister, Dorothy, married during the White House tenure of their father, George Bush. That, too, was a private affair, as were the weddings of 13 of the 22 children of presidents who have married while their fathers were in the White House since 1820, according to Doug Wead, author of All the Presidents' Children. Instead of bucking tradition, Jenna, 26, is in fact upholding a publicity-shy history by marrying Henry Hager, 29, son of a prominent Virginia Republican family, out of public sight. No photographers. Few details. An outdoor affair with 200 guests at the family's Texas ranch. It was in keeping with the style of Jenna, who once stuck her tongue out at the press. Not that she's been spared during her father's seven-plus years as president. When she and her twin sister Barbara violated drinking laws, when they were still under-age in 2001, both made a media splash. Jenna had to pay a 600-dollar-fine in Texas for one of several offenses. She explained her need for privacy to Vogue magazine recently. 'Henry and I are far less glamorous than the White House,' Jenna said. 'I was raised in Texas, and it just felt right.' The president - who has spent more time than his predecessors away from the White House, mostly at the ranch - flew Thursday to Texas to join the rest of the family. 'I was watching the weather very carefully,' Bush told ABC Television's Good Morning America this week. 'We, of course, are hoping for good weather. I think it will be beautiful. I know the wildflowers are blooming, and it's very green. We've gotten some good spring rains.' But Daddy has already leaked some details. He told ABC that it was his idea to build an outdoor altar for the religious vows. 'That's where she's going to get married, right in front of this Texas limestone altar with a cross on it - by our lake,' the president said. The wedding, however, is a case of separation of powers, with First Lady Laura Bush 'in charge,' in the words of her husband. But she has kept details under wraps. Earlier this week, she tore into the Myanmar military government for its handling of the cyclone aftermath, smiling only at the end of the White House press conference when a reporter wished her well for the wedding. 'We're getting, for us, our first son,' the first lady said. The female twins are the first couple's only children. She joked that the grandchildren might have names like 'George and Georgia, Georgina' or even 'Georgette.' Jenna 'just wanted to get married at home. She just feels a lot more comfortable there. ... We want what she wants,' Laura said. Would the president be out early Sunday for his usual bike ride? 'Since he probably won't be staying up to dance the last dance, it'll probably be early,' Laura said, laughing. USA Today reported that such private weddings reflect a American social trend against over-the-top, encrusted traditions. The last high style White House weddings were Lynda Bird Johnson's 1967 marriage to Marine Captain Chuck Robb, while dad Lyndon was mired in the Vietnam War, and Tricia Nixon's 1971 all-out affair with a towering, 2-metre-plus cake as dad Richard launched his re-election campaign. Jenna and Henry met in 2004, when he was working in the White House for Bush's former political strategist, Karl Rove, USA Today reported. The couple are to live in Baltimore, where they have bought a 128- year-old row house for 440,000 dollars. He is to work at an energy company while Jenna is an intern for UNICEF in Latin America. She has written several books, including a children's book that she wrote with her mother.

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SP4: Well That's Good!May 9th, 2008 - 14:18:23

No press bias here!

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Why?May 9th, 2008 - 19:16:17

Aren't his kids serving in the illegal Iraq invasion?

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SP4: You know....May 9th, 2008 - 19:25:18

Matt Damon said that once.

I noticed he never served either. Well, why leave the food service table for war, when you can make war pictures and never get shot, right?

How about you?

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congress voted for it = legalMay 9th, 2008 - 21:48:13

'the illegal Iraq invasion?'

Who says it's 'illegal'?

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rock n roll fan .May 10th, 2008 - 07:21:33

Hey Jenna & Henrey , Good luck with you're new happiness ! George and Laura , I'm happy so much for you too . Have lots of babies you two. I wish I could see Texas , and be part of wonderful lives . But I know that you're there , and the wonderful American troopes are pullin for ya too . Tears i've cried , but love hides in them . Love , Rock n Roll Fan .

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SP4: yeah, illegal.....May 10th, 2008 - 16:03:09

...so was Clinton's lying to a federal judge.

By the way, exactly what law was broken by invading Iraq?

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SP4: ever noticeMay 10th, 2008 - 19:31:53

..that when I correct uninformed, piss-ant posters about the facts, pussies like Dan, above, have to respond with their little insults, because that's all they have, when I'm through with them?

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rock n roll fan .May 11th, 2008 - 11:42:00

Jenna , you and your sister , are NOT sluts . Henrey , you are a lucky man , to Wed into a solid family . I wish I could be with you . Laura , George , I know your proud of them , with beautiful perfect wisdom . SO , your comment was horrible and disgusting ; if your UP for it , there are plenty on the internet . Don't denigrate Children you don't even know . I make some pretty Hatefull comments in this forum , but they don't concern innocent children . srtaighten-out , or go some place else .

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bettyMay 11th, 2008 - 12:48:32

reading this stuff and im wondering what this sp4 person is talking about ?.seems to be talking to him or her self ????

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yahMay 11th, 2008 - 19:54:05

looks like sp4 is sending threats again..
you know he did in winter threaten hillary clitons life..

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