Regarding national anthem "controversy," Hannity asks: "Is this another statement" by Obama?
On the October 23 edition of Fox News' Hannity & Colmes, during a discussion of Sen. Barack Obama's (D-IL) purported failure to place his hand over his heart during the national anthem at an Iowa campaign event, co-host Alan Colmes said to Fox News contributor and nationally syndicated columnist Dick Morris, "Just as long as conservatives are going after Obama, let me put up on the screen another person during the national anthem." An on-screen image of President Bush appeared in which Bush's hand is resting on his midsection as the national anthem is reportedly being played. Later, co-host Sean Hannity said: "[F]irst of all, at least the president wasn't making a statement, and he did have his hand over his heart in the right place, Alan," adding: "That was a cheap shot. That was one little, you know, freeze-framed picture from one second." After Colmes said "Obama is a cheap shot," Hannity replied: "No. Obama -- but the difference here is Barack Obama made a statement about the Iraq war with the flag pin. And to not do it here, people are raising questions about why. Is this another statement?"
The Obama campaign has dismissed as "ridiculous" the suggestion that Obama was making a "statement," noting that "[s]ometimes he does, sometimes he doesn't" place his hand over his heart during the national anthem. Indeed, photos show him with his hand over his heart during the anthem.
As Media Matters for America documented, on his October 4 radio show, Hannity discussed an interview in which Obama said that he had stopped wearing an American flag pin on his lapel during the lead-up to the Iraq war: "[W]hy do we wear pins? Because our country was under attack. And to politicize once again the war to this extent. Well, who cares about the war? Are you proud of your country? Do you believe in America?" Media Matters noted that Hannity himself has not worn an American flag lapel pin on a number of recent occasions.
The image of President Bush shown during the program, also noted by the blog News Hounds:
During the October 23 show, Colmes asked Morris: "Can you believe [Obama] was -- is this unbelievable? Is this going to ruin his chances politically forever or what?" Morris responded: "If he'd covered his heart, he'd have covered himself," to which Colmes responded: "Oh, come on. That's very funny, but come on." Morris said: "I think it's ridiculous. It's a stupid controversy."
On October 23, two other programs -- Fox News' Fox & Friends and the CBS-syndicated newsmagazine Inside Edition -- also featured segments on Obama not covering his heart during the national anthem. As Media Matters documented, on the October 23 edition of Fox & Friends, co-host Steve Doocy stated: "First he kicked his American flag pin to the curb. Now Barack Obama has a new round of patriotism problems." Doocy's assertion echoed a statement made by the conservative blog NewsBusters, which noted in an October 20 post that Time magazine had photographed Obama without his hand over his heart during the national anthem: "Turns out that not wearing a flag lapel pin isn't the only way Barack Obama chooses to show he's a different kind of Democrat." Inside Edition also featured a segment discussing Obama and the national anthem "controversy" on October 23. The segment included a statement from an Obama campaign spokesperson regarding Obama's purported failure to place his hand over his heart: "Sometimes he does, sometimes he doesn't. In no way was he making any sort of statement, and any suggestion to the contrary is ridiculous." The segment also included two photographs of Obama placing his hand over his heart during other renditions of the national anthem, which Inside Edition said it received from the spokesperson:
From the October 23 edition of Fox News' Hannity & Colmes:
COLMES: Illinois Senator Barack Obama finds himself at the center of yet another controversy, as conservatives continue their assault on his patriotism, if you can believe that. The Democratic presidential hopeful is captured on film at a steak fry sponsored by Iowa Senator Tom Harkin. A closer look shows that Obama, unlike his Democratic colleagues, isn't putting his hand over his heart during the national anthem. Can you believe this? It's an outrage.
Joining us now with reaction is the author of, oh, Outrage -- wait a minute, what a coincidence. Former Clinton adviser -- I didn't even know that was coming -- Dick Morris. Can you believe he was -- is this unbelievable? Is this going to ruin his chances politically forever or what?
MORRIS: If he'd covered his heart, he'd have covered himself.
COLMES: Oh, come on. That's very funny, but come on.
MORRIS: I think that --
COLMES: That's very -- cute line.
MORRIS: I think it's ridiculous. It's a stupid controversy. But you know --
COLMES: Well, wait a minute.
MORRIS: What I think about Obama --
COLMES: Yeah.
MORRIS: -- is that he's God's gift to Hillary. Because he's just strong enough to keep Gore out, just strong enough to make the race all about him. But he doesn't know how to use issues to win an election.
COLMES: All right, I've got an issue for you. Just as long as conservatives are going after Obama, let me put up on the screen another person doing the national anthem. I want to put his picture up on the screen. And let's -- oh, look. His hand -- he's got the wrong organ. It's supposed to go over your heart, and I think he's got his organs mixed up.
Is that unpatriotic, Dick, that his hand is not on his heart? Can you believe he became president? When he actually did the national anthem with his hand on his -- I don't even know what organ that is.
MORRIS: You know, in the past, I've accused you of using talking points, but this one I think you found on your own.
COLMES: Dick, thank you for retracting all the horrible things you've ever said about me.
[...]
HANNITY: Dick, let me go back to this issue. And first of all, at least the president wasn't making a statement, and he did have his hand over his heart in the right place, Alan.
COLMES: That wasn't his heart.
HANNITY: That was a cheap shot.
COLMES: That wasn't his heart.
HANNITY: That was one little, you know, freeze-framed --
COLMES: It's not his heart.
HANNITY: -- picture from one second.
COLMES: Obama's a cheap shot.
HANNITY: No. Obama -- but the difference here is Barack Obama made a statement about the Iraq war with the flag pin. And to not do it here, people are raising questions about why. Is this another statement?
MORRIS: Yeah. I doubt it. I doubt it. He was probably just dreaming of something off somewhere and didn't focus on the fact that there was a Pledge of Allegiance [sic] going on. You notice his back is to everybody.
HANNITY: Maybe he was contemplating invading Pakistan again, perhaps --
MORRIS: Yeah, something like that.
HANNITY: -- and his mind was --
MORRIS: But what is pathetic about Obama is he could win this election. He could defeat Hillary right now. All he has to do is get up there and say, "If you are elected president, you will keep the troops in Iraq. You told The New York Times that, and you would do that. I would pull them out. I am the peace candidate, you're the war candidate."
HANNITY: Well, it would help, certainly, with the anti-left [sic] and the MoveOn.org left.
MORRIS: And what else is there in the Democratic primary?
HANNITY: Well, right now, there's not. Let's talk about Hillary's chances. She says that right now she is -- quote, "My experience makes me uniquely equipped -- equips me to be president of the United States." As we --
MORRIS: I would say that, if she were on a reality show, the show would be Survivor because her experience is not at governing. You know, she was in the White House for eight years, but so was the pastry chef.
COLMES: Oh, come on.
MORRIS: And what does her knowledge of the White House mean? She knows where the light switches are?
HANNITY: Yeah.
MORRIS: This woman ran policy in the administration for two years, and it was all on health care. After that, she toured the world, wrote a best-selling book, and then orchestrated the scandal defense over [Monica] Lewinsky. That qualifies her to be president? What she means by experience is she's used to beating Republicans.
HANNITY: All right, Dick. Now, we're going to get back to "Mondays with Dick Morris," coming up next week. Dick Morris on Hannity & Colmes.
From the October 23 edition of the CBS-syndicated Inside Edition:
DEBORAH NORVILLE (host): Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama finds himself in a campaign controversy today. The Illinois senator is being taken to task for not placing his hand over his heart during the national anthem.
[begin video clip]
MALE REPORTER: Barack Obama is under fire because he's standing with his hands clasped during the national anthem. But Senator Hillary Clinton and New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson both have their hands over their hearts. The new controversy comes just weeks after Obama came under fire from conservative bloggers for not wearing an American flag pin on his lapel.
BETH FRERKING (senior editor, the Politico): Those same bloggers are now saying this is just one more instance and one more example of him not being as patriotic, or at least appearing as patriotic, as they would like.
MALE REPORTER: The video is now sweeping the Internet, even though it happened in mid September at an Iowa campaign rally attended by every major Democratic presidential candidate. Everyone else on the stage has a hand over their heart, except Obama.
FRERKING: I don't think people arrest people for that, and if they did, I think we would be arresting hundreds of thousands of people at football games, baseball games, basketball games.
MALE REPORTER: These pictures of Obama with his hand over his heart were given to us by a campaign spokesperson who said, quote, "Sometimes he does, sometimes he doesn't. In no way was he making any sort of statement, and any suggestion to the contrary is ridiculous."
At least colmes brought up the "other" picture. Morris predictably dodged, and Sanctity proceeded to get the smear back on track for the neanderthal crowd. But if you ask me, I think bush was tuggin' the monkey, pullin' the chain, pumpin' the iron...
Hey! Where's Hannity's lapel pin?
I'm angry!
Outrage!
Loud noises!
When I was a kid, the etiquette was to stand respectfully for the anthem and only put your hand over your heart if it was holding a cap or hat. When did the etiquette change and who changed it? I probably don't want to do what the people who changed it dictate anyway.
Doh! Another Right Wing manufactured outrage exposed for the nonsense that it really is.
Agreed... Boy o boy. I'm always amazed at how easily these jokers dig right in... all under the facade of 'in the name of God', 'patriotism' or 'family values'. It's a good racket.
Not to mention... that pic of Bush...ah, exactly where is his hand? Too funny.
Some people's hearts are........Well, you know.
Oops, messed up. Some think that is close to where some men's brains are.
That pic of bush is hilarious! He looks kind of ill, as if he needs some Rolaids.
(Or, judging by the placement of his hand, maybe an ice pack.)
I wouldn't put much stock in Dick,
It's obvious the man's a prick.
As for the spinmeisters at FOX.
These pundits are but talking cocks.
As for where George has placed his hand,
It does not merit reprimand,
We know our Pres is not too quick,
Perhaps his heart's near his joy stick.
These cretins support a president who led us into an unnecessary war based on cherrypicked intelligence, and who has tried to establish an Imperial Presidency...and they're nitpicking over crap like this? Please.
You know, I just won't rest until Bill O'Reilly's body language expert tells me what I should think about all this.
My body language expert tells me that Hannity likes licking the snot off his upper lip. It will be interesting to see if BO's expert concurs.
Shyawn, why do you hate Kleenex?
Of course this is a ridiculous diversion, Fox News is famous for this type of marginalizing and image planting towards Democrats, is anyone surprised?
Yet everybody knows there are certain behaviors and expectations when it comes to political candidates, why fight them, just do it, play along and smile - like kissing babies, wearing only dark suits with red or blue ties during debates (if you are a man), tell everyone who will listen how much you love America and the optimism of it's people, flip pancakes at community breakfasts for photo ops.........and wear flag pins, and place hand on heart during National Anthem.
I don't know if anyone would actually vote against Obama for this, but if they did, they weren't in his camp to begin with I suppose.
Maybe Bush had a touch of indigestion during the National Anthem when he realized he had almost singlehandedly destroyed the U.S.A.'s good name around the world.
I think it's because he failed biology and honestly thinks his heart is there.
Shrub indoubtedly reads Media Matters and all its threads religiously, and would like to do the hand over heart salute properly, despite trying to subvert the Constitution and destroy the middle class. Therefore, I offer him a tutorial complete with patriotic music:
http://www.homeofheroes.com/hallofheroes/1st_floor/flag/1bfb_disp6.html
The only person shown in that picture that has their hand over their heart is the girl in the plaid skirt. She was the only patriot who showed up that day.
I think that MMFA is right - this whole issue is a cheap shot at Barack Hussein Obama. After all, Barack Hussein Obama has given the country almost 1/3 of a Senate term in service to the nation. To even question Barack Hussein Obama's patriotism, loyalty, or bravery is just wrong!
I didn't realize a politician's patriotism, loyalty, and bravery could be measured by how long they held a position.
It's about time our worthless "media companies" tackled the truly important question surrounding the National Anthem Controversy (NAC).
What kind of National Anthem is it, that simply asks not one question, but two:
"Can you see the Flag by this morning's dawn light, the Flag that you last saw in the previous night's twilight?"
And then the question is essentially repeated (for the benefit of the shell-shocked who didn't hear it the first time), this time asking flat out:
"Having seen that Flag through the night, by rocket light, is that Flag still waving this morning?"
That's it. That's the substance of the lyrics of "The Star-Spangled Banner". Just two questions (true, there are two question marks in the lyrics); that's what the American People do, when they sing those words at ball games; they sing words that ask whether or not you can see the American Flag this morning, after having seen it at the previous day's "twilight's last gleaming", and after having seen it "through the night"... the question is asked...
"O say does that star spangled banner yet wave O’er the land of the free, and the home of the brave?"
That's a question, that the National Anthem ends with.
It's a serious controversy, just why our National Anthem asks a question (twice!), testing our eyesight if we can see the American Flag.
John Williams just led an orchestral of the National Anthem, prior to the start of game one of the World Series...
No Song, no lyrics, no words to stumble on, or to find ridiculous, or to ridicule: just the music, as an orchestral.
It's actually a very stirring National Anthem, if you're an American, when presented that way, orchestrally.
No offense to Francis Scott Key intended.
Dem, I may be a wee bit bias here but I love our anthem. It doesn't matter how many times I hear it (usually at sporting events) it still moves me and a really good rendition brings tears to my eyes. And I may come off a little rah rah USA here but my husband and I often debate who has the better national anthem and it isn't even a contest in my opinion...his is reaslly stogy. (-:
That's how I felt about it, after hearing John Williams lead an orchestral of the Anthem. That's why I had to tack on that recognition of how well it sounded, as music, after having commented about the lyrics. It was nice to have heard it that way, w/o the lyrics; it should be done that way all the time I think.
Its incredibly hard to sing and the tune is an old British drinking song. I much prefer America the Beautiful.
Hey, who doesn't like a good drinking song. I didn't know that actually until you guys wrote about it here. Gotta say you just got lumped in with my husband Solon, America the Beautiful isabout as stogy as My husband's anthem. (-: (-:
Gotta admit though Jimi Hendrix did a bang up job of it
Yeah, I remember that. I remember that lots of people thought Jimi's rendition was kinda scandalous. He was interviewed on Merv Griffin at the time (sounds rather unhip now, but lots of cutting-edge artists showed up on his and others' talk shows back in the day), and Merv asked whether it was a statement, or a joke, or what. Jimi just smiled and said, "I thought it was beautiful."
With more passage of time, I think his rendition sounds--and feels--more beautiful.
Jimi was in the US military. He was in Airborne, which means that he jumped out of planes. Those who criticized his rendition of the Anthem should be asked "Why do you hate our troops?"
Of course, Jimi did a great job. I think that rendition absolutely epitomizes the feeling at the time in the country.
I also really like Marvin Gaye's version at the NBA All-Star game. It is definitely worth a listen.
link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QRvVzaQ6i8A
backup cut and paste link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QRvVzaQ6i8A
MORRIS: I think it's ridiculous. It's a stupid controversy. But you know --
COLMES: Well, wait a minute.
MORRIS: What I think about Obama --
COLMES: Yeah.
MORRIS: -- is that he's God's gift to Hillary. Because he's just strong enough to keep Gore out, just strong enough to make the race all about him. But he doesn't know how to use issues to win an election.
When Morris says something like this about one of HRC's opponents you know how seriously ridiculous this trumped-up story is.
Notice how quickly he tries to turn the story into a piece about Clinton.
You know, once I was at a baseball game sitting right behind Sean Hannity and he didn't have either of his hands over his heart during the National Anthem--the beers were in the way.
That wasn't a slam against Irish people lest anyone thinks that-it was a slam against an idiot.
I don't think I could ever run for political office. I own a cat and like beer.
Politically beer is good, cats are iffy. Dogs I think work better, unless your Mitt Romeny's familly dog. You could teach your cat to bark,it has been done and say its some obscure dog breed. Some might question this. You can then ask them how long have you hated dog's? Also if you've sucessfully taught him/her/other how to bark then teaching it to sic would be easy
Isthisagreatcountryorwhat,
I'm so glad you found out that Sean is a fraud. I've been telling people for months that he is a fraudulent fool.
This Fox News media thorn has branded himself as an all-American boy that doesn't drink, doesn't do drugs, doesn't smoke, loves God, family and country, a Christian, loves country music and everything American. Yeah, right Sean.
The real Sean Hannity is a Bush/GOP bot who cozies up to the GOP like a dog to his master, hoping to get a big, juicy bone in return.
He won't wear a flag lapel pin because he doesn't want to. He's a phony patriot. I encourage anyone who sees this worthless circus clown to photograph him without his flag lapel pin, or if you see him at a baseball game without his hand over his heart to photograph it.
You know recently there was a Value Voters debate held in Florida on September 17, 2007. How come those great patriotic Republicans didn't protest when 'God Bless America' was changed by the 'Church of God Choir' How come there is NO Republican outrage about THESE changes? Patriotic by a**!
Why should God bless America? She’s forgotten he existsAnd has turned her backOn everything that made her what she is
Why should God stand beside herThrough the night with the light from his hand?God have mercy on AmericaForgive her sin and heal our land
The courts ruled prayer out of our schoolsIn June of ‘62Told the children “you are your own God nowSo you can make the rules”O say can you see what that choiceHas cost us to this dayAmerica, one nation under God, has gone astray
Why should God bless America?Shes’s forgotten he existsAnd has turned her back on everything That made her what she is
Why should God stand beside herThrough the night with the light from his hand?God have mercy on America Forgive her sins and heal our land
In ‘73 the Courts said weCould take the unborn livesThe choice is yours don’t worry now It’s not a wrong, it’s your right
But just because they made it lawDoes not change God’s commandThe most that we can hope for is God’s mercy on our land
Why should God bless America?She’s forgotten he existsAnd has turned her back on everything That made her what she is
Why should God stand beside herThrough the night with the light from his hand?God have mercy on AmericaForgive her sins and heal our land
(Reading from 2nd Chronicles 7:14) If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and forgive their sin and heal their land
God have mercy on America forgive her sins and heal our land
Typo, should have been, Patriotic MY a**!
Ummmm, because republicans are hipocrites?
If Hacknity thinks a human heart resides in the stomach....I hate to think of where he believes the brain is. I've heard he's complained of headaches when sitting down.
..quick play me some filler music Johnny!
And Dem02020, the questions that are asked throughout the poem is all dramatic effect. Francis Scott Key along with another US official were held in the port of Baltimore after negotiating a prisoner release. FSK takes the approach of "firing up the troops" and inspiration. For him, seeing the flag above Fort McHenry both during the nighttime bombardment and subsequent land assaults and setting it to an old drinking song was patriotic.
If anything, those are questions we Americans should be asking ourselves each day. When we go about our day working, are we ensuring that through our politics and actions that the flag will be there tomorrow?
It's almost like the Cruicifix for Roman Catholics, a reminder in their believe that Jesus Christ died for our sins. The National Anthem is our cruicifix to protect and cherish this great country.
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Correction : ...was patriotic thing for him [Francis Scott Key] to do.
Correct me if I'm wrong, but I thought the british were responsible for singing it to the tune of a drinking song, and the americans adapted it because they realized that doing it out of spite to the british had many benefits?
Has anyone else noticed that neither Dick Morris nor Sean Hannity are wear flag pins in that video segment?
They must hate America as much as Obama does.
wear = wearing
Please explain how Hannity has an audience. If the best he can do is be the "pin police" or "hand on heart police" he needs a brain transplant.
I am beginning to think Hannity exists SOLEY to think up stupid controversies. What else would his function be? Certainly not as a political philosopher (no education), and certainly not as a legitimate commentator (no experience in anything).
I know I always bring that up, but it is because it REALLY bothers me. I don't mind hearing the opinions of someone with some credibility, even (or especially) if they differ from my own, by I just can't get over the fact that Hannity is on the air as some kind of expert, and has NO resume.
He has the only kind of resume Rupert Murdoch requires, a blind hatred of anyone who is not a rabid conservative, and an exuberant willingness to tell even the most naked lies with a straight face (albeit with a slanted head).
He may picked two Irish-Americans as his lead dogs for a similar reason Bush placed Rice and Powell in high cabinet positions. I understand he has a real 'God save the Queen' attitude.
I think that Little Dick Morris was thinking about the comments made by Mikey Malkin. When she mentioned stinking tofu...he thought she daid sucking toe food and got all excited. I think that is what happened but I could be wrong.
And where is Mrs. Bushs' flag pin? And would somebody please wake up the Vice President...
"said sucking...
"Is this another statement" by Obama?"
I hope so. And I hope he is saying this should give the GOP seizures.
Hannity,
If you folks out there want to get Hannity's pantaloons in a bunch, start writing, e-mailing, calling for him to release the figures on the "Freedom Concerts" he held this, and in past years?
Are any of you aware that he's never released a single accounting of what has been brought in by his concerts since the first one was held, a few years ago?
This money (for 2006) is hidden in Freedom Alliance's 2007 Form 990 under the heading: Public Donations. There were over $9,600,000 given in cash last year alone, and over $26,000,000 cash given in the past 5 years, but no accountability has ever been given, except in the few pennies on the dollar given with great fanfare, to the vets and their families. Last year, out of the $9.6 million cash collected, only $397,900 was actually spent on direct cash grants, and College Scholarships to the wounded and their families!
Public accountability is something that Hannity rages about all the time! How about some accountability from Hannity, on his using Wounded Veterans to raise money, but won't release the figures?
Mercado,
Hannity won't release anything. You can e-mail and call him everyday, he won't do it. I strongly encourage you to contact the IRS with the figures that you have. The IRS can force Freedom Alliance and Hannity to open their books. Otherwise, contacting him is fruitless.
Dick Morris has a very irritating voice. Not only that. He is a nut for Hillary.
I heard HRC is soon going to become President when "Hell Freezes Over".
"Alberto Gonzolas was wearing that flag pin the whole time he was sredding the Constitution."
-Barack Obama
Dang!!!!!!!!! Great comeback. That is why I just love Obama. Razor wit.
Jeesh, doesn't anyone have anything better to complain about.
Don't worry, the idiot Republan mouthpieces or the President will say something stupid. It happens about every 10 minutes.