For an Obama aid, sometimes he does and sometimes he does not. Not exactly what I would call respecful of our country's flag and all the brave men who have died to protect it.

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Link: http://urbanlegends.about.com/od/barackobama/a/obama_anthem_2.htm

As to the second point, the implication that Obama has taken an ideological position against following protocol during the national anthem is misleading. He was caught on film one time singing along with the anthem instead of putting his hand over his heart, but on other occasions before and since, he was photographed doing the latter. An Obama aide offered this explanation:

Sometimes he does, sometimes he doesn't [put his hand on his heart]. In no way was he making any sort of statement, and any suggestion to the contrary is ridiculous. ("Inside Edition," October 23, 2007)