Palin Defends Hank Williams, Jr. After He Says, "Obama's Not Real Crazy About" The National Anthem

By: Scott Conroy
Topics: Sarah Palin

(CBS)

From CBS News' Scott Conroy:

(COLORADO SPRINGS, COLO.) - At a Sarah Palin rally here tonight, country music star Hank Williams, Jr. took the stage to sing the national anthem, as he has done at Palin events across the country for weeks. But this time, the singer decided to share his personal views about Barack Obama with the crowd.

"You know, I'm usually at 'Monday Night Football' tonight, but Colorado, this is a lot more important tonight," Williams, Jr. said. "Join me now in our national—you know, that song that, uh, Mr. Obama's not real crazy about, we're singing it right now."

The crowd cheered, and Williams, Jr. sang the national anthem. The country singer then went into an ode he penned about the Republican presidential ticket, a song called "McCain/Palin Tradition," which has lyrics referring to Palin as a "good lookin' dish."

Palin then stepped up to the microphone and defended Williams Jr.'s right to free speech.

"We want to take a minute here to thank Hank Williams Jr.," Palin said. "Over the past couple of months he has traveled with us. He and his most beautiful family stops all along the way this campaign trail. Now this is the last rally that we get to do together, and he's been just a great inspiration—never one to hide his opinion or be afraid to share it. Hey, he exercises those First Amendment rights. We love him! Yes. So we want to thank Hank and we are going to see him tomorrow night on the other side of victory, my friend."

Though Paln defended Williams Jr.'s rights, she said nothing to the crowd to disabuse the crooner's notion that Obama isn't fond of the national anthem. Palin has, however, previously said that she is sure Obama loves his country and doesn't doubt his patriotism.

Scott Conroy
Scott Conroy is a National Political Reporter for RealClearPolitics and a contributor for CBS News.
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by ohioboomer November 5, 2008 12:29 PM EST: These people are pigs, both ''Painlin'' and this ''other one''. I think if you don''t like something or support it, just get out. And don''t let the door hit ya in the butt on the way out. Good riddance to bad rubbish.; Reply to this comment


by thisniss November 4, 2008 4:58 PM EST: Nothing speaks to your character like your ability to slander a man on the day his Grandmother died, Mr. Williams. Both you and Governor Palin do your party proud.; Reply to this comment


by newslink November 4, 2008 3:39 PM EST: How do Hank know what Obama like? This man has been a drunk 80% of his adult life. And now he risk fans to make a Stupid comment like this. Was he Drunk again?; Reply to this comment


by leenielamb November 4, 2008 11:28 AM EST: As some one who is no stranger to Southerners, my father and 1/2 my family are from the south. So I love most southerners. Hank Williams Jr. is some one I once admired. I read his biography years ago. Then in the ''80s he was performing in my area and after the show went to the local country and western club. In his book, he stated how he had learned his lessons and was faithful to his "then" wife. Well, not that night! He was drunk off his butt and cheatin'' up a storm. What a hypocrite! After that night I lost all respect for him. What kind of religious god-fearing man does that! After 9/11 he gave a performance and said that the north and the south were finally one country. Uhh, excuse me, but the civil war was ended over 140 years ago. You''re just getting over that NOW! I''m surprised HE can even sing the national anthem, and doesn''t "Dixie" instead. I can definately see why he and Sarah Palin are paired up. Two lyin'' hypocrites for the price of one.
She and her husband seem to want to seceed from the Union, too. Just like in the 1860''s. How patriotic is that?
This pro-american is voting for Barack Obama.; Reply to this comment


by cansada November 4, 2008 11:23 AM EST: Williams can call her a good looking dish and that is not sexist?
Palin pals around with a guy like Williams, from the smoking gun.

http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/0404061_hank_williams_1.html

"I''m Hank Williams Jr., ***"
Country singer charged with assaulting Memphis hotel waitress
APRIL 4--Country singer Hank Williams Jr. today surrendered to cops on a warrant charging him with throttling a hotel waitress last month in Memphis. Williams, 56, is facing an assault rap for allegedly choking Holly Hornbeak during a March 18 confrontation in the Peabody Hotel lobby bar. According to a complaint affidavit, Hornbeak, 19, told cops that Williams (full name: Randall Hank Williams Jr.) verbally abused her and made other inappropriate comments during the bizarre incident. The tirade apparently began after a Williams crony asked Hornbeak if she knew who Williams was. When she said no, Hornbeak recalled, the singer replied, "I''m Hank Williams Jr., ***." After Williams unsuccessfully tried to kiss her, the report states, he "grabbed her by the neck from behind, choking her." The performer turned himself in this morning to the Shelby County Sheriff''s Office and was booked for assault to commit bodily harm.; Reply to this comment


by veteran22 November 4, 2008 11:12 AM EST: Christians bearing false witness again...; Reply to this comment


by liberal4sure November 4, 2008 10:21 AM EST: That is all the rethuglicans have to run on is lies, smears, false attacks, negativity and divisiveness. Just what this country really needs. NOT!; Reply to this comment


by airboatboy1 November 4, 2008 9:24 AM EST: It''s really hard to imagine that people could be influenced by Hank Williams Jr or Joe the Plumber. Who in the hell would care what they think?; Reply to this comment


by Regensburger November 4, 2008 8:47 AM EST: Gotta love people like sher747, who can''t see their hypocritical bias even when it''s plain as day on the page.

After criticizing Obama supporters for deriding his detractors as "not credible", in one paragraph she declares Democrats "stupid drunked donuts", in "bunkers", "defaming", "jobless idiots", "angry on everything", and declares conservatives "normal people".

You know, just like sher747.; Reply to this comment


by ericmiami November 4, 2008 8:42 AM EST: Hank Senior is spinning in his grave, and Hank III is probably embarrassed. Shame on Hank Jr.; Reply to this comment