Democratic presidential candidate Tim Ryan was criticized for being the only candidate to not put his or hand on his heart while the “Star-Spangled Banner” played before the debate on July 30 in Detroit.
The Ohio Representative stood with nine other candidates at the Fox Theatre.
The other candidates were: Montana Gov. Steve Bullock; South Bend, Indiana, Mayor Pete Buttigieg; former Rep. John Delaney (D-Md.); former Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper; Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.); former Rep. Beto O’Rourke (D-Texas); Sen. Bernie Sanders (D-Vt.); Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.); and author Marianne Williamson.
.@RepTimRyan does not put his hand over his heart during the National Anthem before tonight’s #DemDebatehttps://t.co/QPrGh6lgl7 pic.twitter.com/zDz6ftZaS1
— Washington Examiner (@dcexaminer) July 31, 2019
While the other candidates placed one of their hands over their hearts, Ryan stood with his hands clasped in front of his waist. Williamson started without a hand over her heart but placed it there about halfway through the anthem.
“Rep. Tim Ryan didn’t put his hand over his heart during the national anthem. I guess he’s appealing to the Kaepernick wing of the Democratic Party,” wrote Ari Fleischer, former press secretary in the George W. Bush administration.
“No hand over the heart during the national anthem: @RepTimRyan he should not run for President,” added Mercedes Schlapp, a former Trump campaign official.
“Put your hand over your heart for the star spangled banner Tim Ryan!!!” wrote Meghan McCain, the daughter of late Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.), who is currently a host on “The View.”
Rep. Tim Ryan didn’t put his hand over his heart during the national anthem. I guess he’s appealing to the Kaepernick wing of the Democratic Party.
— Ari Fleischer (@AriFleischer) July 31, 2019
Put your hand over your heart for the star spangled banner Tim Ryan!!! #DemocraticDebate
— Meghan McCain (@MeghanMcCain) July 31, 2019
No hand over the heart during the national anthem: @RepTimRyan he should not run for President #CNNDebate
— Mercedes Schlapp (@mercedesschlapp) July 31, 2019
Democratic presidential debate contender, @RepTimRyan (D-OH), only @CNN debate participant in Detroit to appear onstage during presentation of colors, playing of national anthem, w/hands politely folded at waist, & not positioning his right hand over his heart.
Why, pray tell?
— James A. Gagliano (@JamesAGagliano) July 31, 2019
Ryan on Tuesday attempted to take moderate stances relative to other candidates, repeatedly sparring with Sanders over healthcare and immigration.
It’s possible that at least one contender will decline to place his hand over his heart on the second night of the CNN debates, set to air on Wednesday.
According to New York Times reporter, Reid Epstein, the campaign of Washington Gov. Jay Inslee asked if the national anthem would be sung before the debate.
The Washington State GOP wondered if Inslee would kneel while the anthem played, as NFL players started to do several years ago to protest alleged racially-motivated shootings of blacks by police officers.
Out of over 2,100 respondents to a poll done by the group, 82 percent said they thought Inslee would take a knee.
