He's damned either way. If he says "I am not attending for my own personal reasons" he'll never hear the end of it. Sure, he could lie and say he has a tummy ache, or he could go on vacation.
Or, he could give his reasons, and then try to not talk about it. He only talks about, which his been actually pretty rare, when he is asked out it.
If he says "no comment" 40% of the people will press him until he comments. Then another 40% of the people will complain about him commenting. 10% of the people will comment negatively on the particular party of which he is affiliated; 5% will comment on positively about that party. 4% will comment on Tiger Woods (not realizing they are in the wrong thread). 1% are SPAM about phalical enhancements and/or Nigerian beneficiaries.
Or, he could give his reasons, and then try to not talk about it. He only talks about, which his been actually pretty rare, when he is asked out it.
If he says "no comment" 40% of the people will press him until he comments. Then another 40% of the people will complain about him commenting. 10% of the people will comment negatively on the particular party of which he is affiliated; 5% will comment on positively about that party. 4% will comment on Tiger Woods (not realizing they are in the wrong thread). 1% are SPAM about phalical enhancements and/or Nigerian beneficiaries.