McDermott's pledge error blamed on a childhood moment
Seattle Post-Intelligencer ^ | 4-29-2004 | Wyatt Buchanan
seattlepi.nwsource.com
Thursday, April 29, 2004
By WYATT BUCHANAN
SEATTLE POST-INTELLIGENCER WASHINGTON BUREAU
WASHINGTON -- Republicans are chastising Rep. Jim McDermott for omitting the phrase "under God" from the Pledge of Allegiance when he led the House in reciting it yesterday.
McDermott said he mistakenly reverted to the pledge as he had recited it in childhood. The phrase "under God" was added in 1954, when McDermott was 18.
Republicans are skeptical, citing the Seattle Democrat's opposition to a congressional resolution last year that called for the overturning of the court ruling that declared the phrase unconstitutional. That resolution passed the House by a vote of 400-7.
McDermott voted "present" on a similar resolution in 2002.
"Jim McDermott has had two opportunities to vote in favor of having 'under God' in the pledge and he has voted the other way both times," said Chris Vance, chairman of the Washington State Republican Party. "I suppose it is possible what he is saying is the truth, but I don't think so."
McDermott responded in a written statement: "My thoughts were not where they should have been and I reverted to the pledge as it was written and taught in the public schools throughout my childhood."
He said he would "endeavor to concentrate on what I'm doing in the future and say the modern version."
McDermott's spokesman called "ridiculous" any charge that the congressman had planned to leave out the words.
"If Jim had wanted to make a statement about that he would have made a speech," said Mike DeCesare, his spokesman.
But in an interview last month with the conservative weekly newspaper Human Events, McDermott said he makes a point to omit "under God" when reciting the pledge.
"I personally don't think it adds anything to the Pledge of Allegiance, and I personally don't say, 'under God,' McDermott is quoted as saying. "I consider it an infringement that I don't like. I don't like infringements of church and state. And so I don't know that I'm rigid, but I try to be consistent."
DeCesare had told reporters last night that McDermott omitted the phrase because of uncertainty over the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals ruling that declared the phrase unconstitutional.
But he said yesterday that was his incorrect assumption made before speaking with McDermott.
McDermott, one of the most liberal members in Congress, is no stranger to controversy.
Last year Republicans attacked after he suggested the capture of Saddam Hussein was timed for political advantage. Two years ago Republicans labeled him "Baghdad Jim" for suggesting during a visit to Iraq that Saddam was more trustworthy than President Bush. |
