Kim Delaney escorted from Philadelphia podium

[September 24, 2011]  PHILADELPHIA (AP) -- Kim Delaney, star of the television show "Army Wives," had to be escorted from the podium at an event in Philadelphia after struggling to read her speech from a teleprompter.

It happened Thursday at an event honoring former Defense Secretary Robert Gates.

Delaney is a 52-year-old Philadelphia native. Her remarks were punctuated by long pauses and fragmented sentences. After several minutes, a video began to play. She was escorted away from the podium to a chair on the side of the stage by a woman who appeared to be a producer.

Her publicist did not immediately respond to a message seeking comment.

The event Thursday at National Constitution Center was in honor of Gates. He received the 2011 Liberty Medal, a civic award, for his long public service career.

[Associated Press]

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