Obama Heckled, Leads Crowd In Pledge Of Allegiance

McClatchy reports on another interruption at a Barack Obama event:

A heckler sitting in the press section interrupted Barack Obama's opening remarks at a town hall meeting in Berea, Ohio, and forced the candidate to lead the crowd in the Pledge of Allegiance. The audience of several thousands groaned with the heckling, but Obama waved them back and said then led the group in reciting the pledge.

Ben Smith has more:

A slightly odd moment at the beginning of Barack Obama's event in Berea, OH, when a man on the press riser -- apparently a photographer -- began loudly demanding that the crowd recite the Pledge of Allegiance.

The crowd began to chant, drowning the man out, but Obama -- perhaps sensing a moment of peril -- quickly shushed them, and led the crowd in the Pledge.

"We usually do an invocation and a pledge before we start," he said. "I don't know why we didn't, but this young man reminded us."

Obama was heckled last week for not focusing on African-American issues.

Comments

[Insideout143]

I'd rather be heckled by someone wanting to say the Pledge than by someone spouting about the Iraq War, like they do to McCain. McCain is heckled for important issues, while all they can do with Obama is attempt to make him look un-American. Rush Limbaugh must be so proud, and is probably talking it up at this moment.

[sdbsingle1]

I don't know whether to blast that comment, or agree with it, but I'll say this to you--are you voting Rep. or Dem this year?

McCain gets heckled about a War that is a failure and a mistake that he continues to support, while people are acting ignorant and wanting the POA, when that guy was just there to do that, and he'll not vote for Barack anyway, but his 1 vote can go elsewhere, because people like that need not support people who want solutions.

If that's all people have, then the GOP is really screwed in Nov.

[rasthedestroyer]

Just more cheap thrills from the retreads..­. WAKE UP AMERICA...­.

[Lupin77]

Obviously the heckler was a plant.

[abby4ever]

Lots of people on this thread think so but there is disagreement as to which side planted him. What's your guess?

[2bad]

There's no doubt! It was a non-issue, flag waiving, self-righteous, sanctimonious republican. Petty, transparent attempt to get O to NOT do the pledge so McBush could have another BS news cycle about nothing relevant to the problems that face this country!

[kamenwati]

What kind of plant are you? Dogweed? Ragwort?

[Roy49]

I saw it last night on the news and Senator Obama was outstanding! He put that fire out with quickness and had everybody stand up with their hands over their hearts and say the Pledge of Allegiance! That is what a 'True Ameircan' does! Fast on his feet and patriotic to his heart! Hail to the Chief!

Obama 08'

[Nyla785]

Gee, I hope the Obama is conversant with the term 'audience plant'. The repubs have done this routinely in past elections.

[uvymopkq]

To bad his wife is ashamed of her country.

[Masterbasser]

HEY......b­umpkin. Give it a rest. That idiotic incident hyped by your side lost steam quite a while ago....you lost......­.try to make up something new and stupid....­....like your screen name.

[boston2008]

I WAS ASHAME OF THIS COUNTRY WHEN GEORGE BUSH CHEATED HIMSELF INTO THE WHITE HOUSE AND WE ALLOWED IT. I WAS ASHAME OF THIS COUNTRY WHEN GEORGE BUSH LIED ABOUT GOING TO WAR WITH IRAQ BECAUSE THEY HAD W.M.D'S...­.. AM STILL ASHAME OF A COUNTRY THAT ALLOWS FOX NEWS TO PASS FOR A LEGIT NEWS ORGANIZATION. AM A SHAME OF A COUNTRY THAT KEEPS RE- ELECTING THE REPUBLICAN PARTY EVEN THOUGH THAT SAME PARTY KEEPS PUTTING THE COUNTRY IN A WHOLE OF DEBT WITH CHINA, MEXICO, CANADA AND OTHER HOSTILE COUNTRIES AROUND THE WOLRD.

[CtJean]

No, we're just ashamed of you.

You, however have NO shame.

Pitiful

[abby4ever]

flagged for being off-topic.

(Not really, but that really was a cheap shot, and so irrelevant­.)

[MDinOK]

Uvymopkq
Besides Fox News or Rush Limbaugh, where do you get your information?

[poco767b]

Search youtube for 'Heckler at Obama event in Berea, Ohio'
It is an interview with the heckler. He is angry that they 'disrespected the flag' by not starting with a pledge.
He is a little scary, i hope he has the secret service keeping an eye on him because he has press credentials.

[poco767b]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=031VHnUD0aw
video from the press section.

[MissingAmerica]

The heckler was out of line. How great is it that we finally have a candidate who handles the situation with dignity and respect for all, including the heckler. I just plain like Obama; he's a class act.

[poco767b]

Couldn't have gone better if the guy worked for Obama. Swish! nothing but net.
Any more grunts the GOP want to throw in front of the Obama express?

[Charmed]

Obama handled that well......­he has such a good temperment and he's SMART.

[abby4ever]

Oh for crying out loud!

[k6007]

Nothing but a repube 'plant'...­....and, I mean that literally.

[poco767b]

so vegetation??

[marthlois]

I admire Obama very much. I just hate it when I hear the media say "Well, McCain's so comfortable in town halls - Obama loves the big audience"! Having followed him for some time now, I'm even more moved when I watch his town halls online - and they are plentiful! He's compassionate, a great listener & answers each and every question from either side. He's a man to be proud of!

Oh, and by the way, I heard Rachel Maddow say today (about Obama's tact lately): "Well, the Obama of 47 is way different than the Obama of 46!" Ah, not so much. They're one in the same. He just realizes that while a peacemaker & negotiator - there are times when he has to bring some other skills to the forefront & he does so at the right time. I never had a doubt about his ability to do so.

[neesy08]

I was watching this on CNN's live feed when this happened. O was as cool as a cucumber! Amazing!

[LiberalBuzz]

Ya know that O will be just as quick on his feet in real emergencies.

McBush would have stood there with a deer caught in the headlights look until the SS took the guy away and then would have had to have his back pounded to get him started again.

O will be a great president.

[abby4ever]

"Oh,
you're still the one that makes me strong
still the one I want to take along
we're still having fun, and you're still...

THE ONE."

[DragonMama]

I was the lady that asked the last question (with a baby in a soft carrier on my chest). Any idea where I can snag the video for my son to see when he's older?

[mergina]

You see, the pledge of allegiance to a a flag, and a flag pin, is more important than the CRUSHING LIFE THREATENING ISSUES AT HAND for the next president, the American people and indeed the human race. America is the LAND OF IDIOTS. Mess with their flags and flag pins and you better get outa town. HOW ABOUT A FLAGLESS PLANET, ONE WORLD, ONE SPECIES, FINALLY PULLING TOGETHER TO HEAL THIS PLANET AND SAVE THE HUMAN RACE FROM EXTINCTION? How about a flag or flagpin for that?

[jukesgrrl]

Oh. Honey. You're way too progressive for THIS country. Sweden, yes. France, maybe. USA, in denial.

[Nofuzzydreams]

Or in Germany where only 16% of the women have college degrees compared to 22% in the US. Many more women in Germany are confined to doing housework!! BTW you may be right about France - they have fewer idots like you - they get 80% of their energy from Nuclear!!

[BCubedReg]

What country are you living in? Such noble ideals will never fly in this country. Jeez , you would have to vote for that guy Obama if you wanted to come anywhere close to that.

[Nofuzzydreams]

Yes!! How about grabbing every American's wealth and redistributing it to the world!! I feel like breaking out singing!!