Obama Reject Sings Anthem for McCain
By NewHampster on October 22, 2008 at 2:55 PM in Current Affairs
Friday I wrote about Zach Bencal of Londonderry, NH getting a last-minute call from the Obama campaign. They called to cancel the high school kid’s singing of the National Anthem at the Obama event last Thursday. Yes, they canceled the 90-second song that unites us so they could squeeze in more speakers.
Today, when John McCain speaks at St. Anselm College, Zach Bencal will be singing our National Anthem.
The New Hampshire Union Leader has the story:
By ALEC O’MEARA
Union Leader Correspondent
Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2008LONDONDERRY – Zach Bencal has become something of a celebrity after his scheduled singing of the national anthem at Sen. Barack Obama’s New Hampshire rally last week was canceled at the last minute.
“A friend of mine from school said to me today, ‘Oh my God, you are going to become the next Joe the plumber!’” the Londonderry High senior said.
The non-appearance has taken on a life of its own on the Internet, as conservative blogs have used the late scratch to question Obama’s patriotism. The issue gained liftoff when the Drudge Report initially incorrectly reported that the campaign had cut both the anthem and the Pledge of Allegiance from the rally. It turned out the pledge was delivered by a retired Marine before Obama’s arrival at Mack’s Apples.
Bencal will be back in the spotlight tomorrow — he has accepted Sen. John McCain’s campaign’s offer to sing the anthem at the Republican’s campaign event at St. Anselm’s College in Manchester
“I’m a huge believer that everything happens for a reason, and I guess this is one of those things,” Bencal said, conceding that the last week has been “unusual, to say the least.”
Bencal said the Obama campaign called him the night before he was to sing and said his services would not be needed, because an additional speaker had been booked.
Sandra Abrevaya, communications director for Obama’s Manchester campaign office, later called it a miscommunication. (ed. typical not my fault Barack)
Jeff Grappone, New England communications director for the McCain campaign, issued a statement regarding the scratched anthem yesterday.
“Standard operating procedure for Barack Obama: politics first, country second. John McCain knows firsthand the sacrifices that have been made in defense of our nation. He always honors America with pride, paying tribute to the sacrifices of the men and women who have fought for our freedom,” Grappone said.
I sincerely hope that McCain speaks about this and that they put it in an ad. But John, please don’t talk about the importance of singing the anthem at events, or patriotism. This is really about Obama and his campaign placing no value on promises, no value on his word. It is just the latest in a string of broken promises like taking public financing, FISA and not abandoning his life long preacher.
After all, when Obama makes a promise or commitment it’s just words.
Update: McCain has already spoken this morning and Zach did sing the anthem.
Here’s what some St. Anselm students think of our John McCain. Picture from today.
by Ronald Scott
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