A new president: Chief Justice flubs oath of office
January 20, 2009 – 10:39 am by William WallaceSome are criticizing President Obama for messing up the presidential oath of office, but it appears that it was Chief Justice Roberts who messed up, and threw President Obama off with “execute faithfully” instead of “faithfully execute” and “president to the United States” instead of “office of President”:
Excerpt from U.S. Constitution:
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.”
The video clearly shows that President Obama knew that Chief Justice Roberts made the mistake, and after Chief Justice Roberts attempted to correct himself, thanks to Obama’s polite prompting, and flubbed again, President Obama just ended Robert’s embarrassment.
But others are blaming Obama for Justice Robert’s flub, including Breitbart TV, Drudge Report, and Rush Limbaugh.
Drudge Report Incorrectly Blames President Obama for oath mishap
(Now, how many liberals came to the aid of Sarah Palin when she correctly described the “Bush Doctrine”, while Charlie Gibson snobbishly and incorrectly defined it as preemptive war.)
Source
- Breitbart TV (2009) Nervous Obama Flubs Oath of Office Breitbart TV
- Article II to the U.S. Constitution (which has the oath).
See also
- Torres, Joey (January 20, 2009) Nervous Obama Flubs Oath of Office I’ll lay down my glasses
UPDATE (As a result of this blog?), the Drudge Report and Breitbart TV have corrected their headlines, to distribute blame on both Roberts and Obama.
UPDATE 2
For comparison (with thanks to Sheila Leavitt below), this is how Bush’s oath went in 2005:
37 Responses to “A new president: Chief Justice flubs oath of office”
No matter whose fault it was, President Elect Obama has to retake the oath as specified in the U.S. Constitution, or his presidency is definitionally unconstitutional.
By mike on Jan 20, 2009
Listen to it again. Obama starts before the Chief Justice is finished with his first lines of the oath. Then Obama stumbled through it. Obama blew it. I guess there should have been a teleprompter to help him through it.
By Pamela on Jan 20, 2009
Obama did not interrupt–he started in at the logical place “I Barack Huessain Obama…” after Robert’s pause.
By Joy on Jan 20, 2009
I have recited a version of this oath numerous times in my service of the country. Each oath of office, whether for soldier, senator or president starts out with; “I__________________do solemnly swear”,…
Every private knows how to take this oath. Obama does not and he just demonstrated a FAIL. You wait until you hear the entire first line and only then do you recite it.
OBAMA JUMPED THE GUN and cut off Chief Justice Roberts before he had completed the line, thus showing Obama does not even know how to properly take the oath of office - something even Bush can do perfectly.
Obama screwed up the cadence, the timing and his “moment in front of the world” which will live in infamy and the disgrace of the United States of America.
If Obama is so perfect, why didn’t he insist that he and Roberts rehearse it in private at least once? He could have had a private meeting with Roberts and no one would have been the wiser. If Obama can’t get something this simple right - we are screwed.
Time to call Bush back into to preside until we get a real leader, not this Fraud, this boy, this media invention, this empty suit.
Oh yeah. The constant harping and criticism payback for the way the Rats and their media have treated others - begins today… Get used to it.
By Democrat Culture of Corruption on Jan 20, 2009
Justice Roberts should have had a card to read if he couldn’t memorize the entire oath and repeat of restart at some point as needed. He read a very lengthy part and expected Obama to repeat it. Justice Roberts screwed it up for Obama, and President Obama made a few small errors also… but Roberts totally screwed it up.
By Tired of the crap on Jan 20, 2009
Was just wondering how the NON-BIAS press would play this day…. certainly looking forward to the SNL skits on the flubs and finger pointing… LOL! As if that will happen to the big O.
By Lisa on Jan 20, 2009
So, I see from her post that Joy is off her meds again.
By James Ryan on Jan 20, 2009
I was totally appalled that the Chief Justice of the United States, when all the eyes of America are on him should so flub the presidential oath of office. My knee jerk reaction to this is that if I were Roberts I would resign my office out of shame. President Obama knew better and the Justice’s flub mixed the president up. The best thing to do would have been to start over. I am ashamed that our Chief Justice could be so dumb. I hope President Obama gets to appoint a new chief justice!
By David Clearwood on Jan 20, 2009
It was Chief Justice Roberts who could not get it right. The oath goes like this:
“I do solemnly swear 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.”
Instead, Justice Roberts said, “That I will execute the office to President to the United States, faithfully.”
Justice Roberts misplaced the “faithfully,” and added a weird “to” in there as well.
But of course that’s not Roberts fault… right… whatever makes you feel better.
By Just The Facts on Jan 20, 2009
Just the facts, who are you writing to? I blamed Roberts. James Ryan, please do not sling your poo against other commenters.
By William Wallace on Jan 20, 2009
It’s AMAZING how you can “clearly” see whatever you choose to see.
They BOTH flubbed the oath, and Obama flubbed first.
The first phrase was supposed to be:
“I, Barack Hussein Obama, do solemnly swear…”
But Obama began reciting immediately after his name and was TALKING OVER Roberts who was saying “do solemnly swear.”
Roberts did not pause. The video CLEARLY shows his lips were still moving. Obama screwed up first.
Don’t believe me? Watch Joe Biden’s oath. The pause occurs AFTER “do solemnly swear.”
THEN, Roberts omitted the word “faithfully” and haplessly inserted it later in the sentence. Was he thrown off by Obama’s initial mistake? Perhaps.
Obama’s mistake isn’t the issue. What’s of great importance is the fact that you can watch a video - evidence right before your eyes - and come up with a conclusion twisted 180 degrees from reality. You even have the audacity to say, “Look here, watch the video” as if everyone else will see your distorted view of reality.
As an Army officer, I have given and received similar oaths hundreds of times. And I’ve made mistakes. The people taking the oath made mistakes. It’s all part of the fun and games of these ceremonies.
Conservative bloggers are having a field day. Well, you’ve earned it! After 8 years of shining a spotlight on every one of Bush’s verbal gaffs, Junior has earned 4 or 8 years of the same.
What disturbs me most of all is that with Obama’s FIRST WORDS AS PRESIDENT, the media has already began a coverup and you have already begun lying and contriving recriminations and conspiracy theories.
By POWinCA on Jan 20, 2009
POWinCA,
You can say that all you want (you’ve been saying it elsewhere), but I have heard oaths both ways.
“I [state your name],” pause “do solemnly swear.”
and
“I [state your name] do solmnly swear” pause.
But if you want to blame Obama for saying “I Barack Hussein Obama” before Roberts go to the “, do solomnly swear”, fine. I expect more from a chief justice facilitating a constitutionally mandated oath, whether he be liberal or conservative.
It is a big part of the reason why conservatives lost this election…too busy worrying about the minor stuff while nominating a candidate that was only marginally right of Obama.
By William Wallace on Jan 20, 2009
In the end, Obama still said it incorrectly.
By Ian on Jan 20, 2009
Ian,
You and mike are correct. He should take the oath again. It can be done in private.
By William Wallace on Jan 20, 2009
thank you POWinCA for clearly and plainly stating the obvious. Both Obama and Roberts flubbed. The fact that people cannot acknowledge Obama’s misstep is very telling and frightening. Not to mention the wave of insults that would have erupted had McCain or Palin made the same mistake.
They were probably both nervous. No big deal. The big deal is that folks won’t even admit and or accept facts.
By waters on Jan 20, 2009
i just found you people - what a bunch of whackos. bye
By James Ryan on Jan 20, 2009
Was the flub made by Justice Roberts an honest mistake or a carefully orchestrated plan to embarrass President Obama?
By Ann Thomas on Jan 20, 2009
Whoever was at fault, the flubbed oath of office was surely a marred moment of history.
By Kathy Alexander on Jan 20, 2009
Ann Thomas: A conspiracy theory? Until proven otherwise, I believe it is a coincidence:)
James, chill, brother. And did you forget that you already commented on this post?
By William Wallace on Jan 20, 2009
it doesnt matter if obama didnt take the oath at all. legally he became president at 12:00pm period… do some home work people…
By jim on Jan 20, 2009
jim,
Regarding legal homework, may I suggest starting with Article II of the U.S. Constitution, with the reminder that the U.S. Constitution is the Supreme law of the land. The term starts at noon, per Amendment 20, but that doesn’t supersede the oath requirement.
By William Wallace on Jan 20, 2009
When President Obama began repeating the oath after his name he was doing it the way it had been done before Justice Wm R. Rehnquist changed the way it was taken for generations. Before Rehnquist it was “I, ___, [break] do solemnly swear (or affirm) …” President Obama paused becaused he knew that Roberts got it wrong, frightfully wrong. What a horrible blemish on such a great event. Of all things! to mess up the main event of the day.
I remember when Richard Nixon added an extra “and” when he repeated “and preserve and protect and defend”
Roberts flubbed his first presidential inauguration, and he is a total disgrace! Shame on him.
By David Clearwood on Jan 20, 2009
I think this is what has happened in my opinion.
Roberts: I Barack Hussain Obama (a very brief pause)
During this pause, I think, Robert expected Obama to repeat it and that’s why he paused. But Obama expected Robert to furthur say ‘do solemnly swear’ before pausing. That’s why Obama didn’t start repeating immediately. Seeing Obama not repeating, Robert got the idea and carried on ‘do solemnly swear’. But by that same moment Obama got Robert’s idea and started saying ‘I Barack Hussain Obama’. And thats how it eneded up like:
Obama: I Barack Hussain Obama do solemnly swear
Robert: Do solemnly swear
(Both at same time (well almost))
This is something that often happens on corriods or streets when 2 persons come from opposite direction and both think they should let the other go. By doing that both moves at the same time creating the same problem again.
What happened next is, I think, Robert cought on nervousness and stated the incorrect version of the oath on which Obama looks at him and stops without completing what Robert said.
In my opinion, it’s none of their fault. It’s a misunderstanding between 2 person. May be they should have reharsed it before. If there is anything negative about it is that the ceremony is induced with a bit of imperfection. The inauguration organisers should call for a reharsal oath between concerned parties from next time.
By JS on Jan 20, 2009
I agree with the suggestion of a rehearsal, and I agree with the misunderstanding of 2 people, BUT the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court should know the presidential oath of office or have cue cards to help. I’m sure Associate Justice Stewart had cue cards as the generic public service oath repeated by the Vice President is so much longer.
By David Clearwood on Jan 20, 2009
I don’t know what the problem is. He is the chief justice to the Supreme Court, and therefore has the right, as do all justices, to rewrite the U.S. Constitution.
By Sam Carlson on Jan 20, 2009
Doesn’t matter the 20th Amendment says he was president at Noon. And if that’s not enough then every president has taken the incorrect oath. I don’t see the oath saying “I (State your name)” Therefore they are all invalid.
By Michael Doles on Jan 20, 2009
Some conservatives may have been unfair in blaming Obama, but at the same time, the liberal media has been blaming the Chief Justice just as much. I think both made a mistake. Obama spoke too early. That can’t be denied, because if you listen to Joe Biden and past presidents’ oaths, they all waited until the end of the “do solemnly swear” line to repeat. The Chief Justice made a mistake as well, placing the word “fairness” in the wrong place. But it really is not that important! Why can’t the media just tell us the truth- it was not all the Chief Justice’s fault as they make it seem to be, but at the same time, it was not all Obama’s fault either! Again, why does it really matter? Aren’t there more important things involving our country at this time?
By MG on Jan 20, 2009
The “oath flub” was entirely Roberts’. Each president recites the following oath, in accordance with Article II, Section I of the U.S. Constitution:
“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.”
Saying the oath may not be what makes the president the president, but the wording is not, to my knowledge, optional.
Roberts gave Obama the line “I Barack Hussein Obama…”, and paused (as is always done—see here for G. W. Bush inauguration in 2005— http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A2B8-RME13I for example); and then Roberts jumped in with “…do solemnly swear…” before Obama was finished saying his name.
Then Roberts changed the word order in a section of the oath that my 14 year old knows by heart, as do most intelligent sentient Americans: “…that I will faithfully execute…” Putting faithfully at the end, if not deliberate (and I’m not saying it was), was certainly a Freudian slip for a guy whose confirmation vote as Chief Justice lacked President (then Senator) Obama’s “yea.” Obama was just being nice to the bumbling justice (Chief).
And then, instead of saying “So help ME God,” for Obama to repeat, like he’s been repeating all the rest of the oath, Roberts is cute and says “So help YOU God?” Although, I suppose maybe Obama asked for it this way?
[WW says: Good find. I just added the video to the main post.]
By Sheila Leavitt on Jan 20, 2009
It was Justice Rober who mess the whole thing up. However, It doesn’t really matter, It is all formality. Obama was already the President of the free nation at 12:00, done deal.
By sam on Jan 21, 2009
Just watched it. Not an American so I can give my opinion without having a dog in the fight. It was messy and nervous if not very human. No harm done but to be fair Obama did jump the gun, he kind of spoke over the other guy and it got messier from there.
You know if Bush had done the same he’d have been ridiculed. We all know that’s true..
By Trixy on Jan 21, 2009
It is all formality. Obama was already the President of the free nation at 12:00, done deal.
What exactly does this mean?
By Karman on Jan 22, 2009
I don’t know. It wasn’t a formality. He was president according to an amdendment, but he could not constitutionally execute the office of the president until he took the oath correctly. See Mike was right: Obama took the oath again. It appears that President Obama took the Constitution seriously–a good sign.
By William Wallace on Jan 22, 2009
Unbelievably the chief justice messed up on purpose, in order to sully this historic moment. Conservatives know no bounds.
By Bleeding heart on Feb 4, 2009
It was the conservatives fault.
By Liberal on Feb 14, 2009
ehh… 10x
By Daughter Incest Tgp on Aug 4, 2009