He probably got an invite to do a Landon Lecture and didn't see any need to waste time in Lawrence.
Curious question, who was the last president to not speak at a Landon Lecture?
I know we've had: Bush2, Serial Rapist, Bush1, Ron Badass, Carter, Ford, Nixon
What's B.O.'s deal? I mean, huge tool, douche, shitty pres, but we let rough ridin' Gerald Ford do one.