[Rick TYler]

Originally Posted by DCA Fan

But as for my two cents, I can't see why you wouldn't invite President Obama. As others have said, the worst that could happen is that he declines.

I think the worst thing that could happen is that he could show up. Having the presidential circus come to town would seriously disrupt the event, take the focus off where it belongs (the work of the students), and provide a platform for a working politician to get PR on our collective time. I would much rather have a successful scientist or engineer, or an apolitical public figure (sort of like the first George Bush, but not like Bill Clinton who is still actively involved in politics) than Obama. I don't think the students on CD realize how a presidential visit would suck all the air out of the event and make the Championships a sideshow to the presidential appearance. As others have suggested, the security around a presidential visit is VERY likely to disrupt an entire day of the event. Let him stay in Washington and get some work done.