Sen. Byrd Forgets Words to Pledge as TV Cameras Roll

NewsMax.com ^ | 6/27/02 | Carl Limbacher and NewsMax.com Staff

[kattracks]

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 Ninth 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 their 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

Read more on this subject in related Hot Topics:

School Choice

[Joe Brower]

Holy smokes, is this for real?

[marvlus]

LOL. This is so funny!! I can just see him trying to recover. This guy is getting senile!! LOL!!

[SMASH IMPERIALIST LIBERALISM!!]

Before 1923 the Pledge read: "I pledge allegiance to my Flag and to the Republic for which it stands."

Perhaps Senator Byrd was remembering the old version?

[SMEDLEYBUTLER]

I'll bet he knows all the words to the Klan pledge.

[TADSLOS]

He must have been concentrating on his next pork barrel bill introduction.

[kattracks]

Perhaps Senator Byrd was remembering the old version?

Maybe he hasn't recited it since then?

[kattracks]

To be fair, at least he made the gesture.

[MassExodus]

1ô41J\eet from J.C. Pennys with eye holes - $2.00
Length of hemp from hardware store - 5 cents per foot
Life membership in the Ku Klux Klan - undertermined

Forgetting the words to the "Pledge of Allegiance" on National Television -

PRICELESS

[twigs]

I agree. I don't think this means anything. Sometimes Byrd drives me crazy, but he is an expert on the constitution and believes in its history with a passion that probably exceeds most everyones. The man is old!

[MassExodus]

White sheet from J.C. Pennys with eye holes - $2.00
Length of hemp from hardware store - 5 cents per foot
Life membership in the Ku Klux Klan - undertermined

Forgetting the words to the "Pledge of Allegiance" on National Television -

PRICELESS

[McGruff]

Have to check CSPAN to see if they will replay this.

[maryz]

Perhaps Senator Byrd was remembering the old version?

That was my first thought. Newsmax should hold its fire for genuine offenses, rather than an old man's understandable lapse.

[hchutch]

You might be right. Senator KKK is losing it.

[Protect the Bill of Rights]

Can't fault him on a personal level, because my grandmother probably could not remember the words.

That being said, if his short term/long term/lack of functioning brain cells is that bad, it is time for him to go!

[Constitution Day]

I'll bet he wouldn't have forgotten if it was a statement about "white n----rs".

[Tony in Hawaii]

Go easy on him, his dawg Billy passed away.

[NotJustAnotherPrettyFace]

LOL!

[VOA]

Sen. Byrd Forgets Words to Pledge as TV Cameras Roll

Poor fellow, must have been confused by having flash-backs to whatever
pledge he made in the midst of burning crosses and bedsheet hoods.

I feel sorry for the state of West Virginia, to have this guy as a Senator.
And do they still have a gun-grabbing [and M-16 owning] Rockefeller as Senator as well?

At least I have one Senator (Feinstein) who will occassionally (and probably
accidentally) say rational things.

Regardless, as Jed Clampett would say "Pitiful...pitiful.".