George Herbert Walker Bush posted his first tweet on Tuesday, becoming the third U.S. president — and the first Republican president — to join Twitter.

Bush Sr. seems to have beaten his son, George W. Bush, to the service. The second President Bush does have a presence on Twitter via his Presidential Library, alongside several parody accounts, but no personal account.

The 41st President's first tweet expressed his sadness that he couldn't be at the memorial service for Nelson Mandela in South Africa. Mandela was freed from prison, won the Nobel Peace Prize and became president of South Africa all during Bush's single term in office, 1989 to 1993.

Barbara and I wish we could have joined the U.S. delegation honoring President Mandela today. He, and his countrymen, are in our prayers. — George Bush (@GeorgeHWBush) December 10, 2013

The Bush account was verified within minutes of its appearance on Twitter. By then, Bush's grandson Pierce and spokesperson Jim McGrath had confirmed that the account belonged to the man affectionately known as Poppy.

Barack Obama was the first president to join Twitter, and was already on the service when he entered office. President Clinton officially signed up in April of this year.

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