Comments on: Chief Justice Roberts Messes Up Presidential Oath Of Office

By: David L Nance

David L Nance — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 17:22:29 +0000

It is only an example of the incompetent people bush has appointed.

By: Jimmy R. Everly

Jimmy R. Everly — Sun, 25 Jan 2009 16:43:48 +0000

In all fairness, Obama was the first to mess up the oath, given that the first line is “I *president’s name* do solemnly swear”, not “I *president’s name*”. Obama jumped the gun on the second part. This isn’t a big deal. It’s a huge event, mistakes will happen (I’m sure he was more than nervous).

It’s ridiculous to think that Roberts purposely messed it up to make Obama mess up. Obama made a mistake, and it’s okay to overlook that, but it Roberts makes a mistake, he’s trying to undermine the president? Ridiculous.

By: Obama '12

Obama '12 — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 19:16:01 +0000

It’s a real sign of the insanity of the 24 hour cable news cycle when silly little things like this are made into a big deal. When mistakes like this were made in 1864 (and they were) nobody ever even knew about them.

By: David

David — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 14:32:47 +0000

One could make the case the Barack Obama technically is not the president of the United States due to the fact that he did not recite the oath as prescribed by the constitution. I can hear the conspiracy theorists now.

No you couldn’t. With or without the oath of office the president-elect (Obama) officially becomes president at noon on January 20th as according to the Constitution. Obama had taken the oath of office around 12:10pm. He had officially been president for those 10 minutes prior to reciting the oath. Perhaps people should have paid attention in govenment when they were in high school.

By: gerryf

gerryf — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 01:08:29 +0000

he was ribbing the conspiracy theorists….fortunately, they still have the Obama wasn’t born in the US nonsense to cling to…

By: Frank

Frank — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 00:26:27 +0000

Wow, I really don’t know how you mess that one up. Was it on purpose? Either way though I’m extremely proud of our country as well. Moving away from a capitalistic society and transitioning into a new socialistic idea! I can’t wait.

By: dan

dan — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 00:09:02 +0000

One could make the case the Barack Obama technically is not the president of the United States due to the fact that he did not recite the oath as prescribed by the constitution. I can hear the conspiracy theorists now.

no, one couldn’t. he became president, officially, whilst yo-yo ma was rockin’ out on the cello, at precisely noon. the oath is simply a technicality.

By: Bill

Bill — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 23:30:08 +0000

I am happy to learn that the president knows the oath. That’s why he stopped for some seconds. The (controversial) Chief justice should see his mistake as a great opportunity to read the constitution again, also in respect to other topics (such as Guantanamo or torture).

By: Loralyn Hogue

Loralyn Hogue — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 23:10:51 +0000

I am so proud to be an American today. In honor of those dreamers who came at an earlier time in our history78, I am wearing one of my dad’s WWII pins. You can bet that when he was fighting in North Africa and Italy that he was not thinking about stumbling words, but rather the meaning behind our American phrases of freedom, and how our actions convey to the world. Starting today, let us as Americans be a nation full of grace.

By: Jay St. Diego

Jay St. Diego — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 22:55:41 +0000

One could make the case the Barack Obama technically is not the president of the United States due to the fact that he did not recite the oath as prescribed by the constitution. I can hear the conspiracy theorists now.

By: Paul Hinton

Paul Hinton — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 22:18:36 +0000

This was Mr. Roberts doing. Hard to see how it was a mistake. The oath, as instructed by all chief justices to presidents taking the oath in the past, and as contained in Article II of the Constitution, recites as â€¦that I will faithfully executeâ€¦ and not â€¦United States faithfullyâ€¦

Possibly Mr. Roberts wanted to trip up the President at this momentous occasion. President Obama obviously knew the right order, but felt he should follow the lead of Mr. Roberts. Shame on Mr. Roberts.

As to the first line, Mr. Roberts definitely stopped speaking until President Obama was in the middle of repeating the instructed phrase. Shame on Mr. Roberts again.

By: david donar

david donar — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 21:40:42 +0000

Roberts is only human. Any time you have to recite something or make vows in front of billions, you are apt to be nervous. That said, maybe they should have done a rehearsal. Anyways, it was a minor in terms of the great day and volume of people that had to be managed.

By: gerryf

gerryf — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 19:54:13 +0000

Not to take too big a dig atch’ Doug, but this is perhaps the biggest non-issue I’ve heard/read/seen today. This is Robert’s first administration of the oath of office. Give the man a break.

I know the talking heads on CNN were making a big deal out of it, but they were also making a big deal out of Michelle Obama’s dress, the freaking lunch menu, and the the Bush sendoff in the helicopter.

The problem with the 24-hour news cycle is that people feel compelled to fill it.