The candidates at the back of the pack of the Democrat field all realize they have to distinguish themselves in order to make the cut for the September round.  Rep. Tim Ryan of Ohio chose the low road, declining to cover his heart as the National Anthem was played.  At least he didn't take his knee. Sorry, Tim — that's probably not enough to get a gig from Nike as an endorser.

Plenty of people noticed.

One of these is not like the others. pic.twitter.com/CqFJBLrkrI

— The Daily Wire (@realDailyWire) July 31, 2019

Rep. Tim Ryan didn’t put his hand over his heart during the national anthem. I guess he’s appealing to the Kaepernick wing of the Democratic Party.

— Ari Fleischer (@AriFleischer) July 31, 2019

You can watch the sad spectacle here:

.@RepTimRyan does not put his hand over his heart during the National Anthem before tonight's #DemDebatehttps://t.co/QPrGh6lgl7 pic.twitter.com/zDz6ftZaS1

— Washington Examiner (@dcexaminer) July 31, 2019

While the partisan in me hopes Ryan makes the cut and continues to taint the Democrats with his disrespect, the patriot in me wants him and his party to wake up and stop this.

Photo credit: Twitter.