Was this a power play for the far-left vote, or did he just forget?
Either way, it doesn’t exactly look Presidential.
It seems that CNN was trying to mitigate some of the criticisms that some of the Democrat hopefuls are more concerned on illegal immigrants than American citizens.
The Second Round of Democrat debates began with a color guard and the national anthem.
Debate going the full CNN: action-movie trailer, election-night bass 'n drums … now a color guard, national anthem, and don't forget opening statements.
— Michael M. Grynbaum (@grynbaum) July 31, 2019
It was an interesting choice since the stage was filled with people that want to curtail the Second Amendment.
But that wasn’t the thing that was noticed.
The thing that stood out like a sore thumb was when Rep. Tim Ryan of Ohio didn’t put his hand over his heart as the Star-Spangled Banner was performed.
It didn’t exactly help that Ryan is so tall. towering over everyone else on the stage — he was difficult to miss.
It was noted in Twitter Moments:
https://twitter.com/TwitterMoments/status/1156367094168137728
The former Trump administration’s Director of Strategic Communications weighed in:
No hand over the heart during the national anthem: @RepTimRyan he should not run for President #CNNDebate
— Mercedes Schlapp (@mercedesschlapp) July 31, 2019
So did the Press Secretary for George W. Bush:
Rep. Tim Ryan didn’t put his hand over his heart during the national anthem. I guess he’s appealing to the Kaepernick wing of the Democratic Party.
— Ari Fleischer (@AriFleischer) July 31, 2019
And right-leaning commentators:
Put your hand over your heart for the star spangled banner Tim Ryan!!! #DemocraticDebate
— Meghan McCain (@MeghanMcCain) July 31, 2019
Tim Ryan can't be bothered to put his hand over his heart for the Star-Spangled Banner? #DemDebate
— Michael Knowles (@michaeljknowles) July 31, 2019
https://twitter.com/EddieZipperer/status/1156357608632176640
Even some left-leaning commentators:
Nobody took a knee during the anthem but Tim Ryan didn't have his hand over his heart. #DemDebate pic.twitter.com/KfFFMePXXn
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) July 31, 2019
Is Tim Ryan trying to get talked about on Fox News by not putting his hand on his heart during the anthem? Or is he making a subtle play for the super far left vote? #DemDebate
— TVMoJoe (@TVMoJoe) July 31, 2019
The question arose as many Democrats have supported the Kaepernick-style protests against the flag and the anthem in recent years.
Ryan said that it was a moment of “absentmindedness” and it was not a form of protest.
“Congressman Ryan wasn’t protesting and didn’t mean to make any statement last night in Detroit, it was a moment of absentmindedness while on a debate stage that won’t happen again,” a Ryan campaign spokesperson said in a statement.
“He was, in fact, singing along with the choir to honor our country. Congressman Ryan loves our country and will continue to honor the flag during the anthem in future events, as he has in countless events in the past,” the statement adds.
Source: The Hill
He said as much to ABC News after the debate.
"No, not really," Rep. Tim Ryan says when asked if he has anything to say about causing a stir for being the only candidate for not putting his hand on his heart during the national anthem at #DemDebate.
"I love this country as much as everybody else" https://t.co/FPoMn84lw9 pic.twitter.com/jbcHLX24hT
— ABC News Politics (@ABCPolitics) July 31, 2019
The Washington Examiner which posted the video on Twitter also noted that Marianne Williamson didn’t have her hand on her heart at the start of the anthem either, but put it there about halfway through.
Fellow candidate Marianne Williamson at first did not have her hand on her heart, but she eventually placed it half way through the anthem.https://t.co/56oqg7NuUJ
— Washington Examiner (@dcexaminer) July 31, 2019
It’s interesting to note that nutty, New Ager Marianne Williamson wasn’t called out for her failure to show respect for the anthem, but one of the more moderate candidates was lambasted for it.
We’ve all seen the dishonest games the left have played with the power they’re entrusted with, they’re obviously unworthy of that trust.
But what about 2020? Could a moral person pull a lever for Trump with their integrity intact? Would Jesus himself vote for Trump? We’re glad you asked. There’s a brand new book that covers precisely that question:
“Would Jesus Vote For Trump?” by Doug Giles and Brandon Vallorani.
Would Jesus ever choose someone, with a less than stellar past, to be a leader? Would Jesus be cool with how Trump blasts CNN, The Left, and his feckless ‘compadres’ on The Right? What about Health Care? Would the Great Physician give Trump’s opposition to ObamaCare the ‘two thumbs up?’ Find out in this BEST-SELLER!
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