(upi/newscom)
Who botched the Oath of Office – Obama or Justice Roberts?
By Jimmy Orr | 01.20.09
It was going so well.
It started on time. The world didn’t end when Pastor Rick Warren gave the invocation. Aretha Franklin’s hat didn’t fly off her head, injuring thousands. Everything seemed to be on track.
Then came the Oath of Office.
No biggie
True, it wasn’t that much of a big deal. Barack Obama became the 44th President of the United States today and a wave of patriotism blanketed the country.
But there was one small gaffe (and oddly, it didn’t occur with Vice President Biden).
The Oath of Oops
It was during the Oath of Office. There was a miscue between Supreme Court Justice John Roberts and the president-elect. Words got fumbled, there was an awkward pause, and the two men talked on top of each other.
The good news is that fisticuffs between the Harvard grads did not ensue.
Faithfully
Basically, it came down to the word “faithfully” and where it is mentioned during the oath.
Justice Roberts said, “”I, Barack Hussein Obama, do solemnly swear [pause] that I will execute the Office of the President faithfully.”
The oath is supposed to read, “I, Barack Hussein Obama, do solemnly swear that I will faithfully execute the Office of the President.”
Cool
How did the president-elect react?
Well, he followed Roberts’s lead for a few words before seeming to realize that Roberts botched it. Ever cool, the president-elect stopped and nodded as if to say, “try again.”
The justice gave it another shot. Obama voiced whatever he could to get Roberts back on track and the ceremony concluded.
Whew
All’s well that ends well, right? You would think so. There is likely no hard feelings between the two — at least for today’s incident that is.
But in the past, there was a little friction. Back in 2005, then Senator Obama voted against Roberts’s confirmation to the Supreme Court.
Cheers
As Cliff Claven would say, here’s a little known fact (courtesy of the Dallas Morning News). This marks the first time in history that a president was sworn in by a chief justice that he opposed.
Shocking? Not really. As Marcus Funk explains:
“It’s simply a matter of numbers,” Funk writes. “In the last 150 years, only four presidents have served in the Senate – Warren G. Harding, Harry Truman, John F. Kennedy and Lyndon Johnson. Only two future presidents had the opportunity to vote on a chief justice – Kennedy and Johnson, who both voted for Earl Warren in 1953. And there only have been 17 chief justices.”
Do it again
Get this. There’s a law professor out there who says Obama should take the oath over again just to be sure.
Boston University’s Jack Beermann told Carolyn Lochhead at the San Francisco Chronicle that although it is unlikely to be challenged in court, just to play it safe perhaps President Obama should do it again.
“It would take him 30 seconds, he can do it in private, it’s not a big deal, and he ought to do it just to be safe,” Berman said. “It’s an open question whether he’s president until he takes the proper oath.”
Just when you thought the clamor over his birth certificate was over….
(By the way, have you seen President Obama’s new limo? Check it out here).
<< Barack Obama’s High-Tech Parade | MainComments
2. richard | 01.20.09
Very witty write-up of this odd little snafu.
With respect to Prof. Beermann, doesn’t the Constitution state that the winner of the presidential election — as decided by the Electoral College — shall become president at noon on a specified date (the third Tuesday of January, or whatever it is)? And therefore isn’t the oath of office just a ceremonial thing, not an absolute requirement for assuming the presidency?
I agree with the general sentiment that this is no biggie. But it’s an interesting bit of constitutional trivia, at the very least.
3. Ruth Cook | 01.20.09
Chief Justice Roberts does not look good here. I’d like to know what he thinks happened. Seems weird he didn’t forget a word, but rearranged the words so that “faithfully” had greater emphasis. Or do I not understand language?
4. Skeptic | 01.20.09
This just shows how nitpicking some people can really be. Like Israeli military chief once said, if goose-step can kill enemies, let’s kick it. Substance, please.
5. Soeren Poulsen | 01.20.09
Having watched the exchange and considering that President Obama voted against the confirmation of Justice Roberts, I have no doubt that the justice screwed it up, possible intentional.
The President’s history of being prepared is well established, but at a moment like this no one would expect a lack of communication.
7. Zenbob96 | 01.20.09
Heck, just let Justice Roberts do his part over again, since he made the gaffe.
Obama can watch the video ala Utube and approve it, with a “that’s cool” or “Yeah, that’s the ticket” and we can all move on.
What was also left out was the addendum “against all enemies, foreign and domestic” after “…to defend the Constitution of United States.” It just ended there. I think Roberts was just awe struck by the star power right in front of him. He should have asked for the autograph first, gotten his butterflies under control and then administered the oath of office.
Zenbob
8. Walter pomicter | 01.20.09
It’s just a formality. Even if the president elect didn’t take the oath of office, he would become president at high noon on inauguration day, according to a provision in the constitution.
9. Scott | 01.20.09
You sure he was a real law professor? I ask because if he was, then he’d know that the Constitution dictates that the President-elect becomes President at noon on January 20th…with or without the Oath of Office.
10. max | 01.20.09
Not a natural born citizen. Botched the oath.
No biggie. The Constitution means nothing to them.
12. Oustanding remark | 01.20.09
Fantastic remark, srasmussen. I am very interested to hear an analysis of the President’s inaugural address by a commenter who characterizes the speech as a “poor fragmented speak”.
Thank you for enlightening all of us.
13. TWCaudle | 01.20.09
I think taking the oath should be said properly. Do a redo ASAP, so no one can file a law suite.
15. Vincent | 01.20.09
srasmussen: Get a life. Why are you **** bent on ruining a beautiful day in American history?
16. love us | 01.20.09
justice Roberts need to be fired for making a mistake. what an idiot.
everyone who complains about OBAMA need to listen to the mistake made by justice roberts. Peace
17. Daber | 01.20.09
Nice fact checking… in one paragraph the layer is named Jack Beermann… then 1 lime later he’s listed as Berman
18. legal dude | 01.20.09
No doubt it was Roberts. Obama stopped at the right at the point in the Oath that Roberts screwed up, stared down Roberts to give him another chance (and there was a smile). Surprised that Roberts would make such a mistake, but Obama was not about the say it incorrectly and thus he stopped.
19. Anon | 01.20.09
It is interesting trivia, but it is also in the Constitution.
The Constitution is fairly specific about the Oath of Office - it is the only part of the Constitution in quotation marks. Article II, Section I, requires the president to say, “”I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.” Whether Obama’s oath is invalid is rather academic, since I think (and hope) everyone will accept it.
The “provision” you’re referring to is Amendment 20, which says that the terms of the president (and vice-president) end at noon on January 20th.
20. CharlieL | 01.20.09
ZenBob: “…against all enemies, foreign or domestic…” is not part of the Constitutional oath of the President. I believe it may be part of a general civil service oath that government workers or OTHER elected officials (who don’t have their oath clearly articulated in the U.S. Constitution) take.
Roberts screwed it up. Obama realized it, either because he’d memorized those 23 words or because he’s very well educated, or both. It all worked out.
President Obama will get a second chance to take the oath again, hopefully from Chief Justice (Hillary) Clinton, in January of 2013.
21. TWCaudle | 01.20.09
I just read the first 12 comments. Why would anyone want to be so negative toward our President.
22. Janus | 01.20.09
President Obama extended a courtesy to Justice Roberts to get it right. but my thoughts on it…seems intentional to me.
23. Oscar | 01.20.09
In Article II, of the original constitution the oath is required. In the 20th amendment, which shifted the date of the inauguration to January 20, it states that the old terms end and the new terms begin at noon on the 20th. (The time zone is not specified.)
I doubt if the people writing it meant to eliminate the oath, but as I read the amendment it is no longer required.
24. @max | 01.20.09
The constitution might not mean anything to Roberts. I’ll leave that up for discussion. It does, however, mean a lot to many immigrants who have sworn to protect it.
25. whatever | 01.20.09
Umm, love us, you can’t fire a supreme court justice. this is much ado about nothing.
26. No Biggie | 01.20.09
Not a big deal…they both handled it very well. The only people that think it’s a big deal are lawyers and they’ll do/say anything to pick up some billable hours.
27. Jeff | 01.20.09
“Boston University’s Jack Beermann told Carolyn Lochhead at the San Francisco Chronicle that although it is unlikely to be challenged in court, just to play it safe perhaps President Obama should do it again.”
It just goes to show you that some law professors are still addicted to ancient word magic. The Celtics originated that stuff. They were big believers in saying oaths exactly. A single word out of place nullified the effect of the oath. These people also believed in leprechans and picked four leaf clovers for good luck. Eye, they were full of blarney!!
The truth is that Obama’s performance will not be dictated by the exact utterance of an oath. Instead, Obama’s performance will be dictated by his honesty, character, and will, or lack thereof.
28. Bruce | 01.20.09
srasmussen: Obama will be fine. You on the other hand, seem to be “botching” your life.
29. Richard Ward | 01.20.09
Obama not a natural-born citizen? Are there still loonies out there that believe this? What else do they believe?
30. Bruce | 01.20.09
max: Strange name to have when your comments are so small. Maybe “Min” would be more appropriate.
31. Grayrider | 01.20.09
No matter what you say. The rest of the world was watching–They do not want to be like the United States—They want to be the United States Of America! God Bless and Blessed Be.
32. Gray Rider | 01.20.09
No matter what you say or how you saw it. The rest of the world was watching too. They don’t want to be like the United States—They want to be the United States Of America! God Bless and Blessed Be.
33. myhrtsthr | 01.20.09
I think millions of people watched that Obama screwed up his own oath to the office, not Justice Roberts.
I really think the media is insane and trying to trigger false stories.
It’s very unfair for the public.
Obama screwed up.
34. JohnRoberts | 01.20.09
TWCaudle: You ask: “Why would anyone want to be so negative towards our president?”
Well, the classless pigs that booed President Bush and VP Cheney during the inauguration ceemony would. That’s who. No gratitude for keeping us safe. Wait till “No-Experience” President Obama permits another terrorist attack on the U.S.. Can’t blame Bush/Cheney then. Oh, wait, the liberal press will find a way somehow.
35. Fredly | 01.20.09
If you’re familiar with politics, constitutional law, etc. (as many of us are), the presidential oath is as familiar as “God Bless America” - and it’s almost as easy to remember.
I “got” Roberts’ error as soon as he spoke, knew why Obama hesitated - and wondered how the chief justice could _possibly_ foul this up. Stagefright seemed near-impossible, given Roberts’ current post and his brilliant background as a litigator and as U.S. solicitor-general. And Roberts is a consummate-and-cool legal pro; Obama’s early jump-in shouldn’t have made him blink an eye, much less confused him.
Roberts even erred the second time around. But at that point, Obama just went along with it, probably reasoning that a third try would look absurd. (And if Roberts couldn’t get it right in two tries, Attempt #3 might have been even worse.)
Even chief justices can have a bad day.
37. JackZ | 01.20.09
“JohnRoberts” said: “Wait till “No-Experience” President Obama permits another terrorist attack on the U.S.”
Remind us: Who’d been president for nine months at the time of 9/11? What, exactly, was his previous national experience? And what warnings did he (and Cheney, and Rice) ignore?
39. johnny Bailey | 01.20.09
Get real. The guy is the first black man out of 43! No one can take that away!
41. oldVet | 01.20.09
Amendment 20 ratified in 1933, sets the end of the terms of service of the President and vice President at noon on January 20th of the last year of their term and then states “the terms of their successors shall then begin.” However, Article II, Section 1 of the constitution, states that the President “Before he enter on the Execution of his Office, he shall take the following Oath of Affirmation:” - “I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my Ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.” We may see this as nitpicking,but unfortunately law (particularly constitutional law) often consists of nitpicking. The “against all enemies, foreign and domestic” is part of the military oath of enlistment and oath for commissioned officers, but is not part of the Presidential oath despite his being the military Commander in Chief.
42. D’Ellis R. McCammon | 01.20.09
Since not many of the afore-quoted folks seem to have signed a SIMPLE contract they SHOULD realize that AN OATH IS a legal and binding VERBAL our contract. Ask anyone who has given their OATH to enter the Armed Services, or is a NEW citizen. The statements I’ve read here show just how far each of these children were left behind, ( another gift of the Bush family.)Is there ANY question of why the head appointee of our nation’s ‘highest court’ couldn’t read the BIG PRINT as a George W. Bush pick… NOSE THAT IS.
43. Sunny Joseph | 01.20.09
Yes….It’s funny. I think both of them screwed it up a little bit. If you watch the video closely, it becomes so obvious that at times, both of them were caught off guard. It seems Obama didn’t expect the Chief Justice to continue the sentence so fast after the pause ( I , Bor H Obama,….). Obama started the oath before the Chief Justice finished the sentence and had to stop as the Chief was continuing. Of course Obama could have felt that he was screwing it up. So he must have felt that he may shouldn’t make another mistake and needed to be little more careful with the next part of the sentence. So he stopped at the middle of the next sentence (….that I will execute????). Here is the funny part. Now it is the turn of the Chief Justice. Now he changes the part completely and stumbles (instead of saying …the office of The President of The United States faithfully…he reverses the sentence.)Here Obama doesn’t follow Chief Justice’s second version. He smiles and follows the first version. The fun didn’t finish yet. See the last sentence… (So help YOU God”(Did I hear it right??)Obama had to change that to “Help me God”).
See, even after all these preparations…anybody and everybody is prone to mistakes and misunderstandings….
45. paul weller | 01.20.09
We’re all in trouble if something like this as, trivial as it is, is as contentious as it is.
46. Ryan2PartyMyth | 01.20.09
Having never cared about the formal inauguration, I thought that Obama had stumbled, and my first thought was, “He’s not perfect, he FEELS the pressure”. Only to find out that he had the presence of mind to recognize the discrepancy, purposeful or accidental. This is not surprising, he rose so quickly with so many potential moments where his candidacy could have been walked away from. I am filled with pride and respect for our new president. As a protest voter, I don’t vote for ANYONE that wears a major party hat, but I feel a greater sense of hope than I think I would had McCain won. Cool, Calm and Collected, that’s the leadership I desire.
Now the ACTUAL challenge begins, rhetoric has had it’s day, let’s see if the other half of the 2 major parties has any better ability to lead.
48. stephen | 01.20.09
Roberts screwed the pooch. Hey, he can get nervous too, Obama has his part memorized and Roberts did not use notes. No biggie.
50. Dan Orris | 01.20.09
The original post is missing a key thing, Barack Obama never recited the Oath correctly. Although Justice Robets incorrectly recited it, then corrected himself, Obama never did recite it properly. Watch the video.
51. Jim Jo | 01.20.09
Hey TWCAUDLE… did you ever say anything negative about Bush… then GET OVER IT… negative things will be said about Hussein.
Oh… and Do you guys really think that Roberts will retire by 2013???? You are CRAZY!!!
52. D’Ellis R. McCammon | 01.20.09
To: JackZ- or FALSE FLAG.Hitler started in Poland with the very same tactic.
53. Jwahomestead | 01.20.09
From the perspective of a Kenyan like me, the trivia of placing nouns before adverbs, etcetera, mattered very little in yesterday’s Obama oath.The main thing is- Kenya gave you Americans a leader of rare pedigree, and will provide another if need be. (pardon my excitement).
55. Shawn S | 01.20.09
The Justice screwed up first, not Obama
A minor thing really
His speech turned out to be the worst ever….his and the history of American inaugurals. It lacked direction and strength, although the day was historic in nature anyway.
I don’t think the preacher-like highs and lows that usually work did in this speech. People were expecting substance not just a rehash of his campaign lingo
56. jm | 01.20.09
It’s pretty clear Roberts botched it. Obama should have just gone with the actual oath and talked over the moron.
Bob - yup if the guy can’t memorize a single sentence (with months to prepare), he’s got some serious issues. His job is to research, memorize, and interpret, and this video does not inspire confidence in his abilities.
57. Mike | 01.20.09
Justice Roberts actually got TWO words wrong. He said, “…do solemnly swear that I will execute the Office TO the President FAITHFULLY.”
58. Gunther Northmountain | 01.20.09
ROBERTS: I, Barack Hussein Obama…
OBAMA: I, Barack…
ROBERTS: … do solemnly swear…
OBAMA: I, Barack Hussein Obama, do solemnly swear…
ROBERTS: … that I will execute the office of president to the United States faithfully…
OBAMA: … that I will execute…
ROBERTS: … faithfully the office of president of the United States…
OBAMA: … the office of president of the United States faithfully…
ROBERTS: … and will to the best of my ability…
OBAMA: … and will to the best of my ability…
ROBERTS: … preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.
OBAMA: … preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.
ROBERTS: So help you God?
OBAMA: So help me God.
ROBERTS: Congratulations, Mr. President.
One commentator wrote . . . “not bad for government work.”
59. Observer1 | 01.20.09
My real beef is that Roberts, doing this for the first time ever, chose to work without written notes. So simple to have just read it off a card, as he should have.
Is it a big deal? Not at all. Just a tiny blip in an historic day.
61. BuffaloCurse | 01.20.09
Chief Justice Roberts is from Buffalo, and as explained on BuffaloCurse.com…whenever Buffalo is in any way under a national spotlight, bad things happen!
63. Karen | 01.20.09
I disagree that Roberts botched it at first. He said the words clearly the first time, Barack began to repeat, then stopped as if he forgot what came next, and that’s when Roberts started again and changed the wording. Then they both got confused. Barack pulled it all together in the end, but he was the one who lost it at first.
64. Robusc | 01.20.09
Final proof that the Chief Justice’s gaffaw may have been disingenuous came in the closing portion when he asked the question, “So help you God?” The tone here was strictly condescending, almost hostile, as if he were a lawyer questioning a hostile witness. But, once again, Obama seized the day. He took the hanging curve ball and knocked it out of the park. Almost laughing through the final recitation, Obama’s body language and tone said “Of course — so help me God– what else would it be? And, by the way, I’m the Commander and Chief now!”
65. Jane | 01.21.09
Watched it on CSPAN–it appeared to me that Chief Justice Roberts was unprepared and in a rush. I thought he seemed disrespectful, honestly.
66. Karen | 01.21.09
Disrespectful? Condescending? Hostile? Give me a break!
It was all nerves. The entire world is watching you take the Oath of Office for president and you’re going to be a little bit nervous and prone to misspeak. Do you all have any idea how defensive and paranoid you sound? Justice Roberts was certainly not deliberately trying to botch Obama’s oath any more than Obama was deliberately laughing at or mocking Roberts in the end. Nerves, I tell you!! Conspiracy theorists, all of you!
67. Joanne P | 01.21.09
Why did they Kenyan admit to Obama’s Kenyan birth? See comment 53. Interesting.
68. anon | 01.21.09
The oath doesn’t have to be restated….it’s not even required by the Constitution.
69. Eugene | 01.21.09
What a number of the comments are missing is how well this bodes for the Obama style of governance. The President could have made Roberts look like a total idiot for blowing the moment he will be remembered for most in his career by not taking the time to remember 40 words. Instead Obama paused, smiled as a prof would in waiting for a student’s improved try at an answer. When the improvement was another botch, the President continued so as not to disrupt things, knowing how that essential meaning, flow, and courtesy trumped absolute correctness in this instance since he was already President by virtue of the Constitution’s amendment. All that said, a public apology from Roberts can clear the air, and possibly a private quick re-do for all the die-hard Fox watchers.
70. MyTake | 01.21.09
My interpretation of oldvet’s quotes of Amendment 20 and the Constitution, “the terms of their successors shall then begin.” means he IS the President, and “Before he enter on the Execution of his Office, he shall take the following Oath of Affirmation:” means he CAN’T do his job. We need precise definition of “terms” in the Amendment and “Execution of his Office” in the Constitution. He should take it over to eliminate any question of authority if those definitions may conflict.
71. St.Louis | 01.21.09
Bob - yup if the guy can’t memorize a single sentence (with months to prepare), he’s got some serious issues. His job is to research, memorize, and interpret, and this video does not inspire confidence in his abilities.
Yup, that’s what I thought when Obama announced there were 57 states.
72. John | 01.21.09
Justice Roberts botched the oath, most likely to purposefully ignite a controversy as to whether Obama is now really the president. What a coincidence that he did this after Obama voted against him becoming a Supreme Court Justice.
74. Sampson | 01.21.09
Roberts botched it, Obama remained cool even as he was the very center of the most amazing presidential moment in our history.
I don’t think Roberts botched it on purpose. At least, I *hope* he’s a bigger man than that.
But stop and imagine if Bush had to deal with the oath being read back incorrectly to him, he’d be glancing around and making goofy grins at the cameras. Wait, never mind, that assumes he would have bothered to memorize the oath at all… Bush would have repeated anything the justice said, even if he had started rapping, “I like big butts, and I can not lie…”
75. Glen G | 01.21.09
I hate to look back and be retentive about these things, but this IS THE CONSTITUTION we’re talking about here. Let them have a private redo and then let it be known that the letter of the law as in fact upheld. Roberts should be shamed and admit his mistake(s).
Similarly, Bush and Cheney should be held accountable and charged with every crime against the Constitution possible. Obviously a much more divisive and challenging task then the redo of the oath, but it would be worth it to ensure future presidents don’t think they can ignore the laws upon which our country was founded.
76. Rick hb | 01.21.09
Before he enter on the Execution of his Office, he shall take the following Oath or Affirmation:–”I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my Ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.”
Technically he probally should restate the oath in order to execute on his position.
77. Sampson | 01.21.09
St.Louis misses the point: Obama HAD memorized his lines, and Roberts fed them back to him incorrectly. Had he not memorized them, he would have merely repeated Roberts word-for-word from the start.
Some people really are quite desperate to tear this President down, even as he faces one of the most massive messes our country has ever dealt with.
Now, more than ever, we HAVE to work together. Please.
78. Anthony | 01.21.09
What’s up with those of you who blindly comment without actually watching what happened and reading the oath in the Constitution?? Karen and many others here just seem bent on wanting Obama to look bad. Thank you Gunther for posting he actual dialogue! It is very accurate and shows that Roberts goofed. Read it or watch and read the Constitution! Then decide for yourself. But, please, get the facts before you post a comment. It would really help the understanding here.
Larger point: Obama is President. Get over it. MLK and those of the Civil Rights movement were on the right side of justice. Your dogs, hoses, bullets, ropes and hatred couldn’t change that. Today shows that, finally, this great nation is living out the true meaning of its creed: All men (and women) are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.” (Declaration of Independence) As a Black man, an attorney, and a Harvard grad, I knew what I was capable of because of what I was taught. I was taught that I could succeed despite the odds even though my great grandparents were slaves (and I KNEW them, thank you very much), and my grandparents and parents suffered through years of oppression, discrimination and bigotry. So, if you did not share this background and face legal, institutional and social racism, what’s your excuse? What’s so historic about President Obama is that it appears that the White majority (as a group) has finally let go of its false sense of superiority, and all other minorities (as groups) can let go their false senses of inferiority. Now let’s all work together to make this great country even better.
79. Tom | 01.21.09
Joanne P - To be frank, what was written was “to take it from a Kenyan like me…” does not mean Obama is a Kenyan like him. If I were to say, “Take it from an engineer like me…” it means the same as “take it from me” or “trust me when I say…” Just to clarify the issue which you so passive aggressively beat around, Obama is a natural born citizen, born of a Kenyan father and American mother in Hawaii. This has already gone to court and has been dismissed. McCain’s birthright was also taken to court by the same lawyer and was also dismissed.
I know some of you cannot admit mistakes of the previous administration, or admit the failings of the Republican campaign, but it really doesn’t matter. All Americans have been called upon today to stand up, get to work, and improve the state of our nation. I will serve with my fellow Americans to right the wrongs and fix our failing economy. If you do not wish to support our nation and actually do something than I am afraid that you are unpatriotic. Protesting and providing constructive feedback IS patriotic, so don’t think you have to accept everything as truth (see the trouble that got us into in the past) and I encourage you criticize this administration just as you would any other administration. I sincerely hope that you will join the call for action.
82. Anthony | 01.21.09
Aha!! We got you, Mr. President! You were born in Kenya and a post on this website proves it!! Give me a break, Joanne. Why would you deny that it is awesome that only in the USA can a Black man from Kenya and a White woman from Kansas join together–in HAWAII, OUR 50TH STATE–to make a president? Be proud, not so paranoid.
83. jon | 01.21.09
It’s fascinating how many people, prefer to be delusional, and constantly look for things to attack President Obama.
For the record, Justice Roberts called President Obama, to apologize for having administered the oath wrong. I suspect, since this was the first time Roberts administered the oath, and being in front of millions of people, he was nervous.
84. USA Lives! | 01.21.09
Roberts proved that Obama was right to vote against him. The American public doesn’t directly hear 99% of the work Roberts does, then he finally gets a token appearance and blows it. He must have left private practice to fail upwards in government.
85. SeanH | 01.21.09
Note that the oath in constitution makes no mention of god. So those who are saying that a minor jumbling of the words means Obama has not correctly taken the oath causing some sort of constitutional crisis must also agree that EVERY President that tacked “so help me god” onto the end of their oath was illegitimate as well.
86. poboy | 01.21.09
The Chief Justice asked Barack if he would Execute “The Office of President TO the United States Faithfully” That’s what screwed things up! He gave the wrong name of the office. It’s OF not TO!
87. GJ Tryon | 01.21.09
Robusc’s (#64) observation is right. The LA times also noted the oddly interrogative tone of the last part of the oath. Roberts appears to have evinced some (perhaps unconscious) mistrust towards the incoming prez.
88. colo | 01.21.09
I so agree with Robusc (#64) ree the Cheif Justice questioing Obama regaring the “so help me God part of the oath.” To me this was the worst part of Roberts miscues and showed his true feelings. Watch the same rectiation on the VP oath..Stephens just recites the words “so help me God”, which Biden repeats. To ask it as a question was definitely inappropriate . It was like he was questioning whether he believed in God or something. What made it even worse is he did not even look like he was apologetic when the two chatted briefly at the luncheon.
89. dcitizen | 01.21.09
Roberts is a hack; just think of the many mistakes he makes as the sitting Chief Justice. Justice Roberts style is no justice, and one of the many reasons why the entire U.S. legal system needs to be re-engineered from the top, Chief Justice, down. Appointments for life mire the system in the past.
There is good reason to amend the Constitution and limit the appointment of Federal Judges to one 6 year year term, and while at it, include term limits for Congress: two terms (12 yrs.) for Senators, 3 terms ( 6 yrs. ) for Congressmen.
90. jschmidt | 01.21.09
the only thing that would’ve made today more perfect? dick cheney being shoved down the steps in his wheel chair…..
91. roadie | 01.21.09
Brilliant from the bench and skilled litigator he may be, but only one of the two men standing there had ever spoken in front of a few hundred thousand faces and another billion on TV… give Roberts a break. Any one of you hecklers (myself included) would have screwed it up.
92. wilder | 01.21.09
Isn’t the SOLE PURPOSE of a Supreme Court Justice to know the US Constitution backwards and forwards…and interpret it accurately?
Then how is it possible for Roberts to BLOW the Presidential oath…the ONLY oath of office in the Constitution? Perhaps, like Clarence Thomas and Antonin Scalia…as consistently proven by the decisions they write…he’s never actually read the Constitution. At least President Obama knew that Roberts screwed up…because, unlike his predecessor, and as his every speech has demonstrated…he KNOWS the Constitution and intends to follow it.
Roberts’ incompetence and failed attempt to embarrass President Obama is entirely understandable though, since he was appointed by a man who called the US Constitution “Nothing but a G*ddam piece of paper!”
93. dcitizen | 01.21.09
Roberts is a hack; just think of the many mistakes he makes as the sitting Chief Justice. Justice, Roberts style, is no justice, and one of the many reasons why the entire U.S. legal system needs to be re-engineered from the top, Chief Justice, down. Appointments for life mire the system in the past.
There is good reason to amend the Constitution and limit the appointment of Federal Judges to one 6 year term, and while at it, include term limits for Congress: two terms (12 yrs.) for Senators, 3 terms ( 6 yrs. ) for Congressmen.
94. AJ | 01.21.09
there are those in this world …. whose ignorance,coupled with arrogance ;
will NEVER see LIGHT !
TODAY is OUR Day !
to the hateful,myopic nincompoops, I say: get off the planet ;-(
95. Henry | 01.21.09
Two things need to be clear:
1) Article II of the Constitution DOES require the oath, as it is even in quotes as a verbatim requirement, and the word ‘faithfully’ comes right before the word ‘execute’ (as in ‘faithfully execute…’).
2) Roberts failed to deliver the correct word order, either time. He had ‘faithfully’ at the end of the sentence.
It may have looked like Obama needed prommpting for the words to recite, but in reality, HE probably knew right away that Roberts misspoke, and was trying to give him a 2nd chance.
Roberts blew it both times. What a jerk. You’d think he could do one thing right.
96. Gibbon | 01.21.09
Don’t argue about semantics! The oath is neither required nor requested- ascension occurred at noon. At the gate, hundreds of thousands pound, as our roads crack and fail. Conspiracy is entrenched and obligation is beside it… to whom will you send your request?
Vol. 1, VII, pg. 137.
Vol. 6, LXXI, pg. 2428.
97. Study up dummy | 01.21.09
Too many Americans aren’t that bright. Too many of those have strong opinions without knowing how ignorant they are.
I, George Walker Bush,
I, George Walker Bush,
Do solemly swear,
Do solemly swear,
Obama tried to do it right. The guy he voted against wouldn’t let him.
98. Alex Piper | 01.21.09
What May Have Caused Chief Justice Roberts’ Seizure
Tuesday, July 31, 2007
By Dr. Manny Alvarez
Chief Justice John J. Roberts suffered what was described as a “benign, idiopathic seizure” Monday, similar to the one he suffered in 1993.
Both incidents could not be attributed a specific cause, and both seem to leave no lasting effects.
The fact that doctors couldn’t point to a specific reason that either seizure occurred is not as uncommon as one might assume, said Dr. David Langer, a neurosurgeon at St. Luke’s - Roosevelt Hospital. “The majority of seizures are caused by things that can’t be seen by an MRI.”
99. peterpi | 01.21.09
Chief Justice Roberts bobbled the ball. Obama caught it anyway, and therefore the pass was complete. Touchdown. End of game.
Someone said there are 40 words in the oath. All 40 got recited. One word ended up in the wrong place. I defy anyone to say how “I will faithfully execute the office” is in any way substatially different from “I will execute the office faithfully”. Chief Roberts goofed. He didn’t do anything deliberate. He didn’t sabotage the oath-taking. I agree with those who say he should have had an index card with the oath on it with him, but he didn’t. Obama stopped when he realized the oath was being given wrongly, waited for the Chief Justice to do it properly, then followed the Chief Justice’s lead.
The oath was given. The intent was clear. Even the lowest paid justice of the peace will declare the oath is valid.
100. The Buck | 01.21.09
Everyone can spin it how they see it. The interpretations only serve to shine light on whoever’s doing the interpretations.
What it was was a minor mistake, a trivia for the history book. That’s it.
Get on with it America.
101. Vince | 01.21.09
Funny…there a teleprompter for most everything else the President has to say in speeches and all…but there’s NO teleprompter for this? Maybe one of the MOST important parts of the whole process? I mean geeze, the oath is spoken of in the constitution! I work in television…someone should have had the forethought to take 30 minutes to set up a prompter and type the oath speech into it! Kinda makes us look stoopid!
103. Nathan | 01.21.09
Is this a joke?
John Roberts wasn’t the one who spoke out of turn and stood there like a deer in the headlights after forgetting his line. LOL.
What type of DNC loyalist would write this type of bullshit?
Mr. Orr must be a pathetic hack.
104. curt newbury | 01.21.09
Barack Obama was not sworn in by the oath of office. He was sworn in by mumbo jumbo. Good for him. Now the liberals can’t show off the moment a black became president without a lot of mumbo jumbo.
106. Albert | 01.21.09
I also believe Justice Roberts did it intentionally.
There is no chance that he missed it by chance because he did remember to put the word “faithfully” at the end.
It was a simple sentence, and it is incredible that someone who had been sworn in as Chief Justice would botch the presidential oath like Roberts did.
Justice Roberts doesn’t look dignified or deserving of his office with this proven inability to deliver when it counts.
Obama was right in his rejection of Roberts’ confirmation to the Supreme Court.
107. frank | 01.21.09
At 12pm he was already the president,he said faithfully
Done deal
remember justice roberts suffers from seizures (neuroloigical)
It couldve been a neurological mistake
Barack obama’s correction is good enough and proof.Being that the chief justice didnt make him do it over again and congratulated him as mr president,means acceptance.If a judge accepts it,thats it. I disagree with some of roberts views,but he is smart and obama is smart.
I like both of their minds. IT also couldve been a mistake
LEt it rest and lets celebrate and focus on our pockets guys
Hopefully we can get jobs and money out of our new president
Y dont you republican haters give it up
I am proud is name is BArack (the blessed one) Hussein(the one who does good) Obama,something new. I get tired of the same faces. IT feels good to have someone smart in the white house again
108. Elise | 01.21.09
It’s actually amazing how this oath is being played over and over and over and over again. To listen, it does sound like Obama is messing it up, but I pulled out my handy mini Constitution and checked Article II. There it was, word for almost word! (Note that the President comes after the Congress in Article I for you Unitary Executive fools.)
It is clearly a Constitutional requirement, but no matter how well Bush may have pronounced his oath, he was hell-bent on contradicting it at every turn, so making ones lips and voice mechanically produce the sounds was no guarantee for him. I doubt that no matter how mangled Obama says it, he will honor its heart. None-the-less, since it is Constitutional he should fix it pretty darn quick.
109. military ofcr | 01.21.09
Has ANYONE ever administered and/or taken an oath? As an officer in the US Armed Forces for over 17 years, I’ve had the privelege and honor of taking the oath of commission and administering the oath of enlistment. Having said that, my experience should have crediblity; therefore, heed the following insight I offer:
Justice Roberts screwed up - not Obama. As one who adminsters the oath, your role is 1) articulate the oath accurately and 2) provide enough pause to allow for a complete response. There is a sort of rhythm between the one adminstering the oath and the one taking it. Either way, the one who adminsters LEADS it.
CLearly Justice Roberts did not provide enough pause to even allow President Obama to state his full name before proceeding. Secondly, he recited the words incorrect and President Obama noticed it. Among millions or even billions of people at that moment watching, you simply press forward - which is what Obama did.
So to you Obama nay sayers - unless you’ve adminstered or taken an oath before, don’t pretend to know what you’re talking about. Justice Roberts CLEARLY screwed this up - President Obama did a great job recovering on his behalf.
I find it annoying how incompetent and ignorant some of you are because you look through the lens of hate and denial. Accept it, move on and focus on the country. Support our President and maybe you too can be a participator in the movement and not a criticizer; the latter contributing nothing to our country.
110. frank burns | 01.21.09
For being a constitutional scholar, Roberts seems pretty ignorant. At the beginning of the oath he referred to Obama as “senator” when in fact at that moment Obama is taking the oath as president.
111. Jeff | 01.21.09
I just think it was a historic day and I was ckoked up myself. I can see how Roberts and Obamma could be overwhelm by such a great day.
113. joe | 01.21.09
I just saw a BBC flash news repeating the Oath and saying, “dont worry, nobody noticed” I think BBC is making sure that everybody notices “it” and then they did not explain the whole issue about it.
I think people do not realize or dont want to accept that Obama did not make any mistake, the one who did was Roberts.
114. Sabina Becker | 01.21.09
Hmmm — looks like a “Freudian slip” for Justice Roberts. (”Father” of psycoanalysis/psychotherapy-Sigmund Freud would see this example of a person’s true opinion slipping out past his conscious “internal censor”.)
“Justice Roberts said, “”I, Barack Hussein Obama, do solemnly swear [pause] that I will execute the Office of the President faithfully.”
Perhaps the “subconscious” of Justice Roberts is convinced that Obama will “execute” the Office of President of the United State — meaning that Obama will destroy the presidency, and he will destroy it “faithfully” — with determination!
It must have been a bit difficult for Justice Roberts to say Obama’s middle name as well! The fear that Obama has a covert jihadist agenda for the USA still runs deep for many people.
115. nerfer | 01.21.09
Justice Roberts also screwed up another word “office of President to the United States” instead of “office of President of the United States” (see posts 41 and 58). Obama gave Roberts a chance to correct himself right at the point of the first mis-spoken word, and Roberts stumbled even more, so Obama said it the way Roberts gave it the first time. (And Obama wasn’t a Senator as Roberts addressed him at the beginning, since he already resigned that post).
It’s kind of like exchanging vows at a wedding. Lots of nerves, sometimes people mess up, but it’s the signature on the paper that’s binding. Provides a little comic relief among all the tension and seriousness of the moment, IMO.
I like the second paragraphs of posts 78 & 79. It is time to move forward and continue our work to improve this country. If you disagree with specific actions, by all means, make your voice heard. But don’t try to undermine or belittle everything the President does just because your dogma doesn’t allow for change.
116. yorkmapper | 01.21.09
Roberts was the one who botched it. His was a disgraceful performance. He was over-confident and tried to do it without notes. Obama knew the oath and patiently waited for the right wing nut job to get it right. Instead he totally screwed it up.
117. lisa | 01.21.09
lol what a complete and utter waste of time. What a way to get worked up over nothing. Not like there’s an economy to be fixed or wars to clear up or anything. I was impressed at how incredibly cool Obama remained. If it had been me I would have totally freaked out. But he just picked it up and carried on.
118. J. Mahoney | 01.21.09
Did any of you (who are in doubt) actually watch (and listen to) the Oath of Office? I did– and I was paying very close attention. President Obama DID NOT blow it– Justice Roberts did. Obama paused, then waited politely for Roberts to get it right.
Get over it, people– we have a new president and we have much bigger problems to be concerned about. Maybe you should all think about channeling your negativity into something positive– like trying to become better, more responsible citizens. Just imagine what people like you (and Rush) could do if you had a more positive and realistic attitude.
God Save Us (from people like you)!
119. Elton E. Smith | 01.21.09
Who cares? There are more pressing issues that need to be dealt with.
120. Rob C. | 01.21.09
Thanks for your perspective, military ofcr (#109). I think Roberts was clearly disrespectful and even a bit hostile. There’s really no excuse for it, unless he had some kind of seizure as someone hinted at. And I agree that we should support our country and president, and not be criticizers only, which contributes nothing. Let’s not follow the example of the Democrats, who spent the last eight years vilifying and undermining President Bush, and contributing nothing to this country.
121. Seneca | 01.21.09
What is most astonishing - perhaps not astonishing at all, but rather deeply saddening - is the madness, vitriol, and truly frightening limits of intelligence among the Obama-haters, particularly the tinfoil-hat ones crying not a natural-born citizen.
122. Who’s the fool? | 01.21.09
Elise’s comment makes the same mistake that Biden did (the mistake Cheney later pointed out) regarding the Unitary Executive concept.
It’s nothing to do with relative power of the executive and legislative branches. It’s about whether the president as an individual has all powers allocated to the executive branch.
“(Note that the President comes after the Congress in Article I for you Unitary Executive fools.)”
123. Summarizer | 01.21.09
Obama did make the first mistake by speaking before Roberts paused in the first portion of the oath. Then after that, Roberts made two mistakes (misplacing “faithfully”, and saying “to” instead of “of”).
Total mistakes: 3. Obama first, then Roberts twice.
124. K.Kilgallen | 01.21.09
U.S. Constit. Article II, section 8 and Amendment XX read together lead to the conclusion that a President-elect may “fail to qualify,” although the conditions leading to a failure are not expressly specified in Amendment XX. The specific language of the oath in Article II, section 8, placed there by the framers is express and clear. A strict construction leads to the conclusion that the words should be should be “Sworn or affirmed” verbatim. An interesting question concerns whether the Federalist papers provide any additional background as to why the Framers required the oath as a condition precedent to the “Execution of his Office.” I respectfully suggest that Professor Beerman is prudently offering his opinion concerning the avoidance of a potential problem if failure to recite the precise text of the oath could be construed as a potential condition leading to a President-elect’s failure to qualify for “Execution of his Office.” Interestingly, Amendment XX provides expressly that the Vice President “shall act as President until a President shall have qualified.”
125. Ryan S | 01.21.09
The president-elect becomes the president as soon as the outgoing president leaves the White House for good. There is never a period of time in which there is no president of the United States. The 12:00 mark for the transition of terms is held by some scholars, but it was really when Bush left the Office.
126. Tangito | 01.21.09
Chief Justice Roberts was clearly wrong. The swearing in is led by the Chief Justice. He seemed to have forgotten his lines and this threw the rythem off.
127. peterpi | 01.21.09
Let me add a coda: Several news sources say Chief Justice Roberts re-administered the oath to President Obama later that evening “just to be on the safe side”. Apparently, it’s been re-administered to two other presidents in the nation’s history.
Whew! I’m glad that constitutional crisis that threatened Life as We Know It is over. Next inauguration, I hope a court clerk will type the Oath on an index card, including the appropriate pauses, laminate the thing with plastic and forcibly insist that Chief Justice Roberts carry it with him.
128. Mike | 01.22.09
The president soooo dedicated he takes the oath twice! Seriously, he’s all ready off to a bad start
129. Larry | 01.22.09
Because, TWCaudle, Bush was picked on for eight years and so now it’s time to pick on this runt. Pretty hypocritical when the Bush bashing is okay but all be damned anyone criticizes Obama right? When Bush flubs his sentences people are quick to make that a headline and jokes are all over the net yet look at all these retards defending this empty suit Let the games begin
130. Conner Bogs | 01.22.09
I think it’s a little worrisome that the man who is supposed to rule on issues of constitutionality messed up the President’s Constitutional oath
131. Joggy | 01.22.09
6. Mike | 01.20.09 said:
“Give me a break. The guy won. Get over it.”
I’ll bet you said the same thing to Al Franken after the first vote count, too.
133. JoAnne Braley | 02.05.09
If you listen closely, Obama interrupts Roberts saying the oath, that is what got the rest wrong. It is an OMEN of things to come. From God, especially because Obama is pro-abortion, stem-cell research, and gay marriage.
134. Spock | 02.12.09
It was Obama’s fault. He interrupted Roberts before the completion of the first line of the oath: “I barack Hussain Obama, do solemnly swear”. He jumped in after his name but before “do solemnly swear”. This threw off Roberts I think and resulted in his misplacing the word “faithfully”. If you disagree and insist on blaming Roberts, just remember Obama made the first of the 2 mistakes.
135. Freeman | 05.07.09
I know this is a late submission but I had to comment. Regardless of who’s fault it was… To all the folks that think this is no biggie. Just a formality….
You’re absolutely wrong. ALL servants of the public elected, appointed or hired are required by law to take an oath. That’s in the US Constitution and every state constitution. The oath is their contract to the people and is the single most important part of their position. If there is no oath, there is no office. If they violate their oath the same theory applies. It absolutely has to be done correctly by law and should not be taken lightly..
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Jimmy Orr has worked in politics for the majority of his professional career working for two U.S. Senators, two Governors and one President. Most recently, Orr served as White House Spokesman and Internet Director for President George W. Bush and Special Advisor to Governor Schwarzenegger for Internet Communications.
David Cook is Washington bureau chief of The Christian Science Monitor and host of the Monitor's newsmaker breakfasts. He was the Monitor's editor from 1994 to 2001. Cook is a graduate of Principia College, served in the U.S. Army, was a Bagehot Fellow at Columbia University, and is a member of the Gridiron Club, Washington's oldest journalistic organization.
1. srasmussen | 01.20.09
Obama botched the oath and had a poor fragmented speak. I hope he doesn’t botch the job