to attend

[flowersa]

I'm wondering if "To attend" here means "to be present at" or "to participate" or "Taking part of the event"?

" ... to speak at the Florida Democratic Party convention on December 10. Florida senator
Bill Nelson had asked Obama three times to attend; three times, Obama had said
no"

[bhaisahab]

I'm wondering if "To attend" here means "to be present at" or "to participate" or "Taking part of the event"?

" ... to speak at the Florida Democratic Party convention on December 10. Florida senator
Bill Nelson had asked Obama three times to attend; three times, Obama had said
no"

Usually, to attend an event means to be present at it.