Obama: Only one national anthem
posted at 3:00 pm on July 3, 2008 by Ed Morrissey
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Barack Obama picked some low-hanging fruit and scored some points in Denver today, after a local jazz singer substituted what some called the “black national anthem” for the Star Spangled Banner at a municipal event. Saying that Rene Marie should have sung what she promised, Obama made clear that he only recognizes one national anthem for Americans:
Sen. Barack Obama said today a jazz singer’s decision to sing the ‘Black National Anthem’ at Denver’s State of the City speech this week was wrong.
“Well, ‘Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing’ is a beautiful song that has been sung in African-American churches and other events for a very long time,” Obama told the Rocky in phone interview. “We only have one National Anthem. And so, if she was asked to sing the National Anthem, she should have sung that. ‘Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing’ is a beautiful song, but we only have one National Anthem.”
Obama’s comments came as the controversy over Rene Marie’s rendition entered its third day.
Think of it as a milder version of a Sister Souljah moment. Obama took the opportunity to burnish his message on patriotism while jumping to the head of the bandwagon. He also deftly defused an issue that could have smoldered all the way to the convention.
It’s a smart move with almost no downside. Well played.
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Only one national anthem
For all 57 States.
[The Heinz Kerry affect... ;-]
Shivas Irons on July 3, 2008 at 3:03 PM
Can’t argue with that, but was there really any other way for him to play it?
flipflop on July 3, 2008 at 3:03 PM
I agree.
But, next week will he change his mind?
Rogue Traveler on July 3, 2008 at 3:03 PM
Bus & Driver moment?
“Lift every voice and sing from under the bus.”
Meric1837 on July 3, 2008 at 3:03 PM
Move to the Right. Move to the Right.
pseudonominus on July 3, 2008 at 3:04 PM
I agree Ed, well played. Listening to talk radio today as they were going on about this, I was wondering what Obama thought about this.
Geronimo on July 3, 2008 at 3:04 PM
Yeah, right, this from a guy who is Racist, Anti-American and Pro-Jihadi, and is a Marxist Muslim practicing “Taqiyah”!
Typical “Taqiyah” statement from Obama; say something he obviously doesn’t believe, all the Obamiots go “Yeah, see he said it, it has to be true”, and all his fellow Marxist Muslim Jihadis go “Yeah, we get it, wink, wink, nudge, nudge, he’s saying it because all the dumbass white guilty Leftist nutbags who Love him, THINKS he means it!! BAWAAAAHH! Stupid Dhimmis are actually going to elect him to be President of the United States! BWAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHH!”
Dale in Atlanta on July 3, 2008 at 3:05 PM
Well he got that right, wonder if he bought her a drink, apoligized and then explained that he had to do that to get elected.
“Take one for the bro’.”
right2bright on July 3, 2008 at 3:05 PM
How many weeks before we get his next ‘opinion’.
tarpon on July 3, 2008 at 3:06 PM
I’m not sure why it warranted a comment from him.
geckomon on July 3, 2008 at 3:06 PM
I thank Senator Obama for this easy and cheap demonstration of his patriotism. Better than nothing.
rockmom on July 3, 2008 at 3:06 PM
Only one national anthem.
But WHICH one?
Labamigo on July 3, 2008 at 3:06 PM
Well played?
C’mon it’s like that Eddie Izzard script.
“Which do you choose, cake or death”
“I choose cake, please”
“alright then”
There was no way he was going to support her actions. He COULD have done nothing which would’ve shown some character towards his previous principles but been glossed over.. y’know like NOT wearing a flag pin.
But hey, under the bus she goes.
Did he wear a flag pin when he said it?
Skywise on July 3, 2008 at 3:07 PM
Why did it take him three days?
NeighborhoodCatLady on July 3, 2008 at 3:07 PM
Obama picks small targets. He would not criticize Jay Rockefeller when Rockefeller basically said that John McCain and other American fighter pilots were war mongers. Nor would he criticize Reverend Wright until it became politically impossible to avoid it. As for Obama’s true feelings about America, it was only a few months ago when Obama made the astonishing statement: “America, despite all its fault…”. Nobody in the media dared asked Obama the following question: What precisely are “all of America’s faults”? Are you referring to the supposed racism and sexism and materialism and yahooism that you mentioned in your private San Francisco speech? Are you referring to the great unwashed out there who cling to their bibles and to their guns? Obama’s picking on some unknown singer in Denver is even easier than Clinton’s Sister Souljah nonsense. I wonder if anyone will ask Obama: “Do you think that Al Sharpton’s speecehs in front of Freddie’s Store in Harlem was helpful to uniting America”?
Larraby on July 3, 2008 at 3:07 PM
The local jazz singer didn’t sing the national anthem. Barack Obama says that there is only one national anthem. ‘Well Played.’
General Clark says that McCain’s getting shot down isn’t a qualification to being president. Barack Obama gets to come out and say that he does not agree with Clark bashing McCain’s service. ‘Well Played.’
I sense a pattern here.
wise_man on July 3, 2008 at 3:09 PM
Yes, but there was no other plausible move to play. If he responded that he thought it was nice or he recognized two anthems, he may as well just’ve gone home.
amerpundit on July 3, 2008 at 3:09 PM
Yeap. What else could he do ? Nothing but free points.
JonRoss on July 3, 2008 at 3:09 PM
Bump…Bump…Bump…a jazz singer gets tossed under the very crowded underside of Obama’s bus!
sabbott on July 3, 2008 at 3:09 PM
Excellent. Well said.
wise_man on July 3, 2008 at 3:09 PM
Well, thank the good Lord that Obama made it clear that there was only one national anthem. I was pretty sure there were two and “Sexyback” was one of them.
Whew. All praise to the Democratic Messiah!!!
mjk on July 3, 2008 at 3:10 PM
Suicide to do otherwise.
DAT60A3 on July 3, 2008 at 3:11 PM
It was a no-brainer. It’s not like people like this singer aren’t going to vote for Obama, no matter what he says or does.
aero on July 3, 2008 at 3:11 PM
Okay, here is a cheap shot but maybe not so cheap when you consider how he has played Clark.
Maybe, just maybe, and this is going to a stretch, Obama told her to sing that song so he could have his moment to defend “our” National Anthem. He needs to boost his American image.
Sorry, I just don’t trust the Obamarama.
BobK on July 3, 2008 at 3:11 PM
Perfect.
And I too find his wording interesting. From what we know of Obama’s character and connections, I’d bet neither is his personal “national anthem.”
baldilocks on July 3, 2008 at 3:12 PM
Well, George Stephanopoulos and Charlie Gibson might. If they are ever alloed to ask him any questions again, that is.
wise_man on July 3, 2008 at 3:13 PM
In other words, “Just asking questions”?
:)
Rogue Traveler on July 3, 2008 at 3:13 PM
This is an irrational world and he will lost points for it.
tomas on July 3, 2008 at 3:14 PM
Yes on the Clark issue, and yes on the ‘patriotism’ issue, one day before independence day.
I wonder why.
wise_man on July 3, 2008 at 3:15 PM
I question the timing!11!eleventy!
Dusty on July 3, 2008 at 3:15 PM
Is Obama not acknowledging the “Black National Anthem”? Which is stupid, as i’ve never heard of a nation by the name of “Black”. If he doesn’t acknowlede the song, does that make him racist?
PappaMac on July 3, 2008 at 3:15 PM
Rogue Traveler on July 3, 2008 at 3:13 PM
Yep.
wise_man on July 3, 2008 at 3:09 PM
Yep
BobK on July 3, 2008 at 3:16 PM
Exactly.
Didn’t see him mention ‘The Star Spangled Banner’.
Don’t mean to split hairs here.
But I think he was probably careful to not say:
‘
cntrlfrk on July 3, 2008 at 3:16 PM
That is not the national anthem I knew…
ynot4tony2 on July 3, 2008 at 3:16 PM
Dang… beat me to it!
Skywise on July 3, 2008 at 3:16 PM
His focus group made the right choice.
I wonder which version his charming wife prefers?
JammieWearingFool on July 3, 2008 at 3:17 PM
next week
.
put your right foot in
put your right foot out
put your right foot in
and you shake it all about
you do the flip floppy and you turn yourself around
that’s what it’s all about
abinitioadinfinitum on July 3, 2008 at 3:19 PM
You think to hard Ed. Obama is triangulating himself.
bard on July 3, 2008 at 3:19 PM
#1 Yup. The best that money can buy.
#2. Oh, no you didnt~~~~!
wise_man on July 3, 2008 at 3:19 PM
Like Muhammad Ali doing the rope-a-dope.
Dr.Cwac.Cwac on July 3, 2008 at 3:20 PM
I’m willing to bet we hear Lift Ev’ry Voice a whole lot during the next Inaugural, if Obama is elected.
rockmom on July 3, 2008 at 3:20 PM
you do the Baraaaaaaaaaack Obama
do the Baraaaaaaaaaaaack Obama
abinitioadinfinitum on July 3, 2008 at 3:21 PM
That’s just plain funny.
Rogue Traveler on July 3, 2008 at 3:22 PM
Lemonade out of lemons is a good thing, but first one has to buy the lemons. Just sayin’
a capella on July 3, 2008 at 3:22 PM
The 95% black vote knows he doesn’t mean it lets ask Rev. Wright what he thinks.
dhunter on July 3, 2008 at 3:23 PM
Like squeezing oil out of a rock.
Can you hand me that rock?
upinak on July 3, 2008 at 3:27 PM
To be honest, I couldn’t give a rat’s @$$ what he thinks of the national anthem. First I want to know how he feels about the Fairness Doctrine.
CurtZHP on July 3, 2008 at 3:27 PM
A slam dunk move politically, and I even believes he meant what he said (a less frequent occurance these days for Barack, for sure.)
michaelo on July 3, 2008 at 3:29 PM
Yep, but it rings hollow, coming from a man who has never done an authentically patriotic thing in his entire life. Not to mention the fact that he spent 20 years in a “church” that preaches “black liberation theology” and pledges its allegiance not to America, but to the “motherland” of Africa.
AZCoyote on July 3, 2008 at 3:29 PM
RACIST!!!
omnipotent on July 3, 2008 at 3:30 PM
Only one national anthem
But he will not place his hand over his heart for the American national anthem.
martinrrrr on July 3, 2008 at 3:30 PM
Good point !
brtex on July 3, 2008 at 3:34 PM
It’s come to having to remind your supporters to sing the real national anthem until after the election.
Has one presidential candidate ever represented such racial division in this country before? I have grown so tired of the oppressed Black masses that have been getting preferential treatment for forty years, and still can’t wait for their moment in the sun to give the USA the finger. I will go out of my way to help any former US slaves, and will work diligently to take down any US slave owners. As for the rest of the Black African Americans, get over it.
Hening on July 3, 2008 at 3:34 PM
Ed, I don’t see any Obama comments in the link you provided above.
faraway on July 3, 2008 at 3:35 PM
If the woman who sang the Black National Anthem were a true American patriot, this wouldn’t have happened, but then again, BHO wouldn’t have shot and scored. If I was a conspiracy theorist, I would say that he planned it that way, but I’m not a lefty.
Come to think of this I should be relieved that he won’t recognize the Spanish lyrics for the national Anthem, but I don’t trust the Marxist ‘messiah’ masquerading as a phony spouting dreams of hopeful change.
Christine on July 3, 2008 at 3:37 PM
Come to think of IT…
Christine on July 3, 2008 at 3:37 PM
Notice he doesn’t mention that he respects the National Anthem only that there is only one. The one he won’t sing proudly with his hand over his heart!
Bfunky292 on July 3, 2008 at 3:39 PM
Article
Is this true? Does the NAACP play the Black National Anthem in place of the National Anthem?
faraway on July 3, 2008 at 3:40 PM
Who said it — Osama Obama or his pet TelePrompter?
It’s a good way to take everyone’s attention away from Wes Clark and the hundreds of other ways The Messiah has shown that he’s far from ready for any position of authority.
MrScribbler on July 3, 2008 at 3:41 PM
This stuff is all set up ahead of time.
Clark makes his statements so Obama can come out and denounce it – making him look more pro-military and patriotic.
This national anthem stuf is put out, just so Obama can refute it – making him look more patriotic.
If the McCain campaign won’t give them the ammo they need – they manufacture it themselves. Send a surrogate out to pitch the ball – then let Obama step up and hit it in the direction they want. Actually smart on their part, with their willing accomplices in the newsrooms of the world.
It’s all manufactired folks – and people are buying it.
JC in CA on July 3, 2008 at 3:43 PM
Soooooooo, does he know the name of our one National Anthem? He knows the name of the inartful national anthem, but he never comes out and says The Stars Bangled Banner.
Maybe the staffers will fill him in later today.
fogw on July 3, 2008 at 3:45 PM
From the link: scored some points in Denver
Seem to be there.
wise_man on July 3, 2008 at 3:48 PM
wise_man on July 3, 2008 at 3:13 PM
Such distrations…
Maybe this is finally something which helps Michelle’s children?
catmman on July 3, 2008 at 3:49 PM
wise_man, thanks. The article is changing faster than Obama changes positions. (or my mind is going)
faraway on July 3, 2008 at 3:52 PM
Question.
Does this cost Obama support among African-Americans?
Mew
acat on July 3, 2008 at 3:53 PM
Potential exists for backlash here, American Blacks know that O-Possum doesn’t reverence this song because it’s not about him or his mother or even his father. Just saying…
Maquis on July 3, 2008 at 4:05 PM
only one national anthem
just change the words to what he wants us to believe in;
add a new verse and quit using the original text.
maverick muse on July 3, 2008 at 4:09 PM
I was a substitute teacher in Chicago. Never once did any of the schools I worked in sing the Star Spangled Banner. The majority of the totally black schools began the day with the Pledge and then the Black National Anthem. Some schools just did the Pledge. I would be willing to bet the vast majority of Chicago blacks don’t even know the words to the Star Spangled Banner.
UnEasyRider on July 3, 2008 at 4:10 PM
Yeah, that took a lot of courage……..
How about dealing with this……..
Seven Percent Solution on July 3, 2008 at 4:14 PM
What happened to “words…just words”. He better HOPE there is more room under the bus cause he doesn’t CHANGE much.
trs on July 3, 2008 at 4:16 PM
UnEasyRider on July 3, 2008 at 4:10 PM
In some parts of the south, some people think that the last chorus is “Gentlemen, start your engines.”
BobK on July 3, 2008 at 4:17 PM
Not so fast. I call B.S. on Barry.
Barry said, ‘Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing’ is a beautiful song, but we only have one National Anthem.”, but Trinity United Church of Christ refers to Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing as the “Black National Anthem”.
Where has Barry been on this for the past 20 years? Saying that this song is sung in Black churches is one thing (and the song is perfectly fine in and of itself) but to call it a “National Anthem” is an entirely different matter altogether, and I have never heard a peep out of him until today. St. Sabina’s, where his wacko comrade Pastor Pfleger presides, calls it the same thing.
Buy Danish on July 3, 2008 at 4:21 PM
So it took Barry three days to get it right on a no-brainer. Does he want a medal?
This is a distraction. Let’s talk about the issues.
Steve Z on July 3, 2008 at 4:21 PM
Teh setup?
Teh plant?
Ah, Teh Clinton.
- The Cat
P.S. I’m a Clintruther.
MirCat on July 3, 2008 at 4:23 PM
We need the Obamessiah to clarify exactly which nation he is talking about…and which National Anthem he thinks should survive!
landlines on July 3, 2008 at 4:24 PM
UnEasyRider and Buydanish.
I am not usually surprised, but I am stunned by this.
Black Anthems sung in black churches?
Black Anthems sung in public schools?
Wow.
faraway on July 3, 2008 at 4:28 PM
took a poll, found out that people were mad.. then threw the black anthem under the bus.. typical politician.
Chakra Hammer on July 3, 2008 at 4:30 PM
“This is not the song I’ve known for 20 years…”
sulla on July 3, 2008 at 4:30 PM
I have five dollars that says we go from Red,White and Blue to black, yellow, green and red on January 22nd………
adamsmith on July 3, 2008 at 4:32 PM
I’ve decided that Obama’s theme song (anthem ,if you will), is the Cha Cha Slide.
…slide to the left…slide to the right…Criss Cross! Ev’ry body clap your hands….
JeffWeimer on July 3, 2008 at 4:36 PM
This would have been a whole lot more interesting if the issue came up before Hillary was run over by the bus.
pedestrian on July 3, 2008 at 4:48 PM
A blind man could see what Rene did was over the top.
I’ll bet she sings at the Convention!
ToddonCapeCod on July 3, 2008 at 4:52 PM
Obama: That’s not the National Anthem that I know.
el hombre on July 3, 2008 at 4:59 PM
Sorry, Ed. Obambi the Prevaricator gets no points for answering the phone.
Jaibones on July 3, 2008 at 5:01 PM
I agree Ed, well played. Listening to talk radio today as they were going on about this, I was wondering what Obama thought about this.
Geronimo on July 3, 2008 at 3:04 PM
He didn’t “think” about this at all. He was told that he better say something quick and what to say.
Nahanni on July 3, 2008 at 5:07 PM
Obama “I plan to move US troops from Iraq to Afganistan for war there and get Europeans involved”
So barry does want war
William Amos on July 3, 2008 at 5:12 PM
BHO is an uncle tom in 5, 4, 3, 1…..
unseen on July 3, 2008 at 5:12 PM
It’s a good thing it was “highlight my patriotism” week for Obama. Otherwise, he might have come up with a differing opinion.
Mallard T. Drake on July 3, 2008 at 5:13 PM
Everyone that Barry jettisons, becomes a BUBBA aka Bounced Under Barack’s Bus Again. Thay ought to form a BUBBA society of survivors of the ordeal.
Mallard T. Drake on July 3, 2008 at 5:15 PM
If Barack would just read HotAir.com he’d be a lot quicker with the news he needs to refute.
kirkill on July 3, 2008 at 5:16 PM
Interesting. I wonder what other ethnocentric strains have been heard from the walls of black churches? From Trinity? From Obama’s mouth?
fourstringfuror on July 3, 2008 at 5:30 PM
He’ll flip on that statement soon…
KarmiCommunist on July 3, 2008 at 6:24 PM
He believes we only have one national flag too…..with 57 stars on it.
Zoltan on July 3, 2008 at 6:48 PM
THUMP….
Think_b4_speaking on July 3, 2008 at 7:31 PM
Hey, Rene Marie! Sing this one to “Another One Bites The Dust!”
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
Another Obama’er under da bus!
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
Another Obama’er under da bus!
An’ another one gone!
An’ another one gone!
Another Obama’er under da bus!
Hey!
He gonna toss you too!
Another Obama’er under da bus!
pilamaye on July 3, 2008 at 9:29 PM
I’d of played Dixie or Freebird.
eski502 on July 3, 2008 at 11:49 PM
Absolutely. Up until about a month ago, we would have heard something like: “The ability to speak one’s mind is the key to America’s greatness. The power of dissent is the glue that holds the fabric of the Nation together…”
Or some such.
eeyore on July 4, 2008 at 12:52 AM
Ah, yes AdamSmith that would be a sucker bet. Black, yellow, green and red the colors of the African flag. In these same schools I saw that flag a lot. Black is for the people, green for the green of Africa, red for their bloodshed and I can’t remember what yellow was. For a group so interested in their “homeland” there are very, very few returning to it. Unfortunately. Actually, I don’t think he would dare to just play the Black Anthem, but would do the Star Spangled Banner first, then go for the Black song. It will be a funeral dirge for the people of America.
UnEasyRider on July 4, 2008 at 12:22 PM
Ed, how did you get this gig anyway? Could you be any less original? Lightweight.
dakine on July 5, 2008 at 1:32 AM
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