Presidential candidate Rep. Tim RyanTimothy (Tim) RyanMinnesota AG Keith Ellison says racism is a bigger problem than police behavior; 21 states see uptick in cases amid efforts to reopen Congress must fill the leadership void Pelosi pushes to unite party on coronavirus bill despite grumbling from left MORE (D-Ohio) on Wednesday denied that he deliberately kept his hand off his heart during the national anthem at Tuesday\u2019s Democratic presidential debate.<\/p>\n
\u201cCongressman Ryan wasn\u2019t protesting and didn\u2019t mean to make any statement last night in Detroit, it was a moment of absentmindedness while on a debate stage that won\u2019t happen again,\u201d a Ryan campaign spokesperson said in a statement.<\/p>\n
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\u201cHe was, in fact, singing along with the choir to honor our country. Congressman Ryan loves our country and will continue to honor the flag during the anthem in future events, as he has in countless events in the past,\u201d the statement adds.<\/p>\n
He was the only contender on stage to not place his hand over his heart during the anthem.<\/p>\n
Ryan also denied he was making a statement speaking after the event last night, telling ABC News, “I love this country as much as everybody else.\u201d<\/p>\n
\n“No, not really,” Rep. Tim Ryan says when asked if he has anything to say about causing a stir for being the only candidate for not putting his hand on his heart during the national anthem at #DemDebate.<\/p>\n
“I love this country as much as everybody else” https:\/\/t.co\/FPoMn84lw9 pic.twitter.com\/jbcHLX24hT<\/p>\n
\u2014 ABC News Politics (@ABCPolitics) July 30, 2019<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
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The Ohio congressman faced some criticism from conservatives on social media Tuesday evening.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe View\u201d co-host Meghan McCainMeghan Marguerite McCainMeghan McCain slams Cuomo, de Blasio as ‘an utter disgrace’ following another night of unrest in NYC Crowds flock to Missouri’s Lake of the Ozarks over Memorial Day weekend CNN’s Cuomo pulls out massive cotton swab to tease brother after live COVID-19 test MORE\u00a0noted the moment and former White House press secretary Ari Fleischer\u00a0accused Ryan\u00a0of \u201cappealing to the Kaepernick wing of the Democratic Party.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\nPut your hand over your heart for the star spangled banner Tim Ryan!!! #DemocraticDebate<\/p>\n
\u2014 Meghan McCain (@MeghanMcCain) July 30, 2019<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
\nRep. Tim Ryan didn\u2019t put his hand over his heart during the national anthem. I guess he\u2019s appealing to the Kaepernick wing of the Democratic Party.<\/p>\n
\u2014 Ari Fleischer (@AriFleischer) July 30, 2019\u00a0<\/p><\/blockquote>\n