Many of Senator Obama's supporters have expresse concern that lies are being spread about him via email and we have no way to correct them. We can do so by responding "quickly and forcefully with the truth". Forward any of these untrue emails to watchog@barackobama.com. They respond with infomration to help combat these false rumors. For example, I have received the following email an encourage you to share it wth your friends and anyone you know who may have questions.
Dear Friend,Thank you for inquiring about the false accusation that I have refused to sing the National Anthem or say the Pledge of Allegiance. I knew when I decided to run for President that I would not be immune from the "anything goes" form of attack politics that has been so prominent in our elections in recent years. And this outrageous charge is just another example of the kind of mean spirited, "shock" politics I will move beyond as President.There is a photo of me taken during the singing of our National Anthem with a false caption stating that it was taken during the Pledge, and that I refused to put my hand over my heart. I am honored to lead a life of public service, and it is inconceivable that I would ever refuse to say the Pledge or sing the National Anthem. My grandfather served in World War II and helped raise me. He was a great patriot, and he taught me that you put your hand over your heart during the Pledge, and you sing during the Anthem. That's what I did that day, as I have done countless times before.In fact, as a U.S. senator, I am sometimes called upon to preside over the opening of the Senate in the morning, at which time I am proud to lead my colleagues in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance, with my right hand over my heart. Anybody who doesn't believe in the Pledge shouldn't be running for President. To learn the facts and see video of me reciting the Pledge in the Senate, please click here: http://www.barackobama.com/factcheck/2007/11/12/obama_is_a_patriot.phpEvery time I have been elected or reelected to the Illinois Senate and the United States Senate, I have proudly raised my right hand, placed my left hand on the Bible and sworn to "support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic." And I will be proud to take the Presidential Oath of office on January 20, 2009.Thank you again for contacting me. Please share this message with anyone you know who has been misled by this baseless and particularly hurtful political attack.Sincerely, Barack Obama
