National Anthem Sung In Spanish At First Bush Inaugural

From Think Progress courtesy of AlterNet:

On Friday, President Bush blasted the idea of singing the Star Spangled Banner in Spanish. But Bush’s highly-scripted 2001 inaugural ceremony actually featured a rendition of the national anthem sung in Spanish by Jon Secada. From Cox News Service, 1/18/01:

The opening ceremony reflected that sentiment. A racially diverse string of famous and once famous performers entertained Bush, soon-to-be First Lady Laura Bush, Vice President-elect Richard B. Cheney and his wife, Lynne, who watched on stage from a special viewing area.

Pop star Jon Secada sang the national anthem in English and Spanish.

Click here for the rest.

Some pundits I saw over the weekend were surprised that Bush would do a flip-flop on his earlier efforts to have the GOP woo Hispanic votes. I guess this was an even bigger flip-flop than they thought. It’s pretty obvious that with his numbers down in the deepest of depths Bush is being pushed by Rove, as usual, to turn hard right in an attempt to keep the base, at least, on his side to some extent. It’s a damned shame the President thinks he has to sell out his supporters who speak Spanish.

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