Tell me about Barack Obama's history?

While Barack Obama is a US Senator which starts each session with the Pledge of Allegiance often, there is no clear answer to this question. There is a YouTube video showing Obama leading the Senate in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance (with his hand to his heart), and there are pictures showing Obama holding his hand to his heart for the Pledge on other occasions. This confusion was the result of a picture showing Obama standing without his hand to his heart, next to two other candidates who are holding their hands to their heart. But the photo's caption is incorrect, they are not reciting the Pledge of Allegiance, but rather standing for the National Anthem (which can be verified by watching a YouTube video of the event). This was during an informal, outdoor event for Democratic candidates. Although protocol suggests that the hand should be held to the heart during the National Anthem, observing any sporting event will show that only some Americans do so. But regardless of hand placement, most Americans stand respectfully during the National Anthem, which is what Obama was doing in that photograph. When his aides were asked about this, they replied that sometimes Obama puts his hand to his heart during the Anthem, and other times he does not. It has also been reported that Senator Obama believes that to say the pledge may be offensive to others and that he wouldn't want to take sides on the issue of saying the Pledge.

First answer by ID1212508757. Last edit by Rwhammersley. Contributor trust: 2 [recommend contributor]. Question popularity: 24 [recommend question]