UPDATE (10:25 p.m. ET): In an exclusive interview with TheBlaze, WOFL Fox 35 reporter Mike Synan said he is "100 percent positive" that the crowds were chanting "Hail Obama!" at the event. Further, he said there were at least three or four other local TV stations at the event that heard it as well.
"We all started talking about it after my tweet started getting attention," he told TheBlaze. Everyone was "in agreement" about what was being chanted and many agreed it was "tacky."
People have questioned Synan's claim, some because they are Obama supporters and others because there is no video that proves inconclusively that "Hail Obama!" was being shouted at the rally.
Synan said the chant began before Michelle Obama took the stage and before the TV stations were plugged into the audio and the TV stations were unable to capture video.
Responding to his critics, the 15-year veteran reporter said he would have reported it the same way if the crowds were chanting "Hail Romney."
"I am just a reporter," Synan told TheBlaze. "I just report on what happens."
However, in 15 years he said he was never heard a crowd say "hail" before anyone's name, much less a politician. He said some of his colleagues at other local news outlets didn't think it was as newsworthy as he did.
"I don't think anybody else thought it was a big deal like I did," he said. "They generally say the same things at these rallies, so my ears are always up for something that's different."
TheBlaze is currently reaching out to other reporters who Synan says can corroborate his claim.
Here is Synan's report for WOFL Fox 35:
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Read TheBlaze's original story below:
Crowds of President Barack Obama's loyal supporters chanted "Hail Obama!" during a campaign rally featuring First Lady Michelle Obama in Daytona, Fla. on Thursday, according to a local reporter who was at the event.
Mike Synan, a local reporter for WOFL in Orlando, says he is positive that "hundreds" of people in the crowd at the rally chanted "Hail Obama," not something that sounded similar. He also said he would not risk his 15-year reputation as a journalist to make something up.
Crowd for #FLOTUS event in Daytona now chanting "Hail Obama". Wow, just wow #fox35
— Mike Synan (@msynan) November 1, 2012
Synan spent hours defending his claim as Obama supporters attacked him for making up "a load of crap" and others questioned if he heard correctly. The local reporter did not walk back his claim:
True. Would not lie. Chanting "Hail Obama" RT @jeffreybillman: @msynan For real, or are you just Drudge-baiting?
— Mike Synan (@msynan) November 1, 2012
100% RT:"@shoutingboy: @msynan Are you sure they weren't chanting "MICHELLE Obama"?"
— Mike Synan (@msynan) November 1, 2012
@pizentu I did not mishear. Was not the full crowd. Someone would yell "hail Obama" and hundreds that could hear that person would repeat
— Mike Synan (@msynan) November 1, 2012
100% sure it was "Hail Obama" RT @macrotots: @romniac @msynan Are you sure it's not "Hell"??? Or (worse) "Heil"?
— Mike Synan (@msynan) November 1, 2012
Not that we have. Much too far before the event and not entire crowd, so would be muddled RT:@vulgarug: @drewmtips @msynan Is there video?"
— Mike Synan (@msynan) November 2, 2012
I am the reporter, and not the only one who heard it. Would never ruin 15 years of cred RT:"@sanosuke1981: @msynan it's a load of crap."
— Mike Synan (@msynan) November 2, 2012
I am the reporter, and not the only one who heard it. Would never ruin 15 years of cred RT:"@sanosuke1981: @msynan it's a load of crap."
— Mike Synan (@msynan) November 2, 2012
While WOFL was not able to get video of the chant, TheBlaze is currently on the lookout for video captured by participants or bystanders. Check back for updates.
Featured image via Getty Images
(H/T: Weekly Standard)
