GraniteGrok

It's pretty much a given that this picture depicting Barack Obama, sans hand on heart, was NOT taken during the Pledge of Allegiance, as claimed by many on the Internet, but instead during the National Anthem, when it is not technically required. OK, fine. I'll concede that the picture simply shows him in bad form when compared to his comrades at the event depicted. And besides, that was a long time ago during the primary. Surely the man who is assumed by many (especially himself) to be the next President come January '09 learned his lesson from that episode (and the lapel pin) and has taken care not to do anything more to feed into the "unpatriotic" meme that tends to follow in his wake.

Heh! Think again. Today when I got to work, nearly everybody was buzzing about a story that aired this morning on WMUR NewsNine:

A Londonderry high school student was supposed to sing the national anthem at Barack Obama's rally Thursday. Just hours before he was to hit the stage, the obama campaign told him he was no longer needed! 17-year old Zach Bengal says he was bumped because the campaign had to make time for more speeches. He says the campaign worker who broke the news was apologetic and said they'd keep him in mind for the future.

It was further backed up within a story from the Union Leader about yesterday's NH visit (via MSNBC):

Not present, or at least not singing the National Anthem at the rally was Londonderry senior Zach Bencal.

Bencal, who sings the anthem for a number of school events and is actively involved in local community theatre, had been contacted by the Obama campaign to sing the anthem. He agreed to do so, then was told later in the evening the anthem had been scratched from the program. Bencal said he was told by the campaign the decision was a simple programming change to make room for another speaker.

"I guess it just wasn't meant to be," Bencal said.

Sandra Abrevaya, communications director for the Obama campaign's Manchester office, confirmed the choice had simply been a last-minute scratch from the rally's program, which included the Pledge of Allegiance.

"We regret the miscommunication with Zach about today's event but we are pleased that several other New Hampshire residents were able to speak at today's event, where thousands of voters in both parties gathered to hear Sen. Obama discuss his plan to bring the change we need to Washington."

Obama was introduced by Governor John Lynch. Also speaking prior to the senator was New Hampshire Congressman Paul Hodes.

And of course, with socialism on the march, when it comes time to spread the word, nothing will stand in its way... not even the National Anthem. Could it be that Obama's handlers figured they'd spare him the embarassment of forgetting to fake patriotism once again?