Sen. Byrd Forgets Words to Pledge as TV Cameras Roll
Thursday, June 27, 2002 1:07 p.m. EDT
newsmax.com
Leading Democratic Senator Robert Byrd forgot the words to the Pledge of Allegiance this morning, after he was chosen to lead his colleagues in a rousing recital of the oath in defiance of yesterday's ruling by the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.
With TV cameras rolling for the event, the world's so-called greatest deliberative body rose to recite the patriotic words of loyalty, waiting for Byrd to start.
"I pledge of allegiance to the flag," the West Virginia Democrat began, bobbling his syntax right out of the box.
Then Byrd jumped to "And to the republic for which it stands," omitting the words "of the United States of America," which end the Pledge's first sentence.
Sensing his error, the octogenarian former Ku Klux Klanner interrupted, "No, no, no." But the rest of the Senate continued on with the correct version.
Having lost his place entirely, Byrd lowered his voice to a barely audible level as the Senate finished on its own.
Conservative radio talker Rush Limbaugh picked up on Byrd's memory lapse, telling his audience, "He knew that all three networks were there and he choked. He choked under pressure. Either that or he doesn't know the Pledge from top to bottom."
For Senate Democrats and others who may have forgotten how to recite the Pledge of Allegiance, see: Offend a Leftist Censor: Recite the Pledge |
