AUGUSTA – Maine’s first lady, Karen Baldacci, doesn’t have to worry about what to wear to President’s Bush inauguration. She and Gov. John Baldacci aren’t going.

They aren’t invited.

“The invitation hasn’t come,” Baldacci said Friday.

When asked if the fact that Baldacci chaired the Kerry-Edwards presidential campaign in Maine has anything to do with the snub, the governor just hung his head and chuckled.

Baldacci then reassured reporters in his office that he has a good relationship with President Bush.

“We disagree about issues, but we had a pleasant conversation” the last time Baldacci visited the White House. With the president’s parents often visiting their home in Kennebunkport, “It’s important for us to be appreciative and accommodating,” Baldacci said. “I know Maine citizens want that.”

Randy Bumps of Minot, chair of the Republican Party in Maine, said he’s not surprised Baldacci, a Democrat, wasn’t invited. “Even Republican lieutenant governors didn’t get invited. The tickets were really limited.”

Bumps said he will be going to the inauguration.

At the end of February, Baldacci will attend the National Governors Convention in Washington. Baldacci said he will be meeting with President Bush as part of a group of governors concerned about lower Medicaid funding.

Baldacci was present when Bush was sworn into office four years ago. Baldacci was a member of Congress then.