Anthem Was Sung in Spanish at Bush Inaugural

NationalAnthem Sung In Spanish At First Bush Inaugural; Bush sang it in Spanish oncampaign trail.

OnFriday, President Bush

blasted the idea of singing the Star SpangledBanner in Spanish. But Bush’s highly-scripted 2001 inaugural ceremonyactually featured a rendition of the national anthem sung in Spanish by JonSecada. From Cox News Service, 1/18/01:

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

Pop star Jon Secada sang the national anthem inEnglish and Spanish.

Apparently,Secada singing the anthem in Spanish was a regular feature of the Bushcampaign. From the 8/3/00 Miami Herald:

The nominee, his wife Laura, erstwhile rival JohnMcCain and his wife Cindy joined Bush on a platform where children sang thenational anthem – in “Spanglish,” Secada explained.

Thismorning, ThinkProgress revealed that, according to Kevin Phillip’s bookAmerican Dynasty,

Bush himself sang the national anthem in Spanish . Lookslike Bush’s conviction that “the national anthem ought to be sung inEnglish” was something he acquired very recently.

Think Progress (http://thinkprogress.org/2006/05/02/national-anthem-sung-in-spanish-at-first-bush-inaugural/)

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