On CSPAN, the mod is saying that the oath of office has to be administered EXACTLY, or

[Mist]

it may have to be done over. It thought I saw a number of posts yesterday saying that it was more a matter of once *'s term ends, Obama IS the next President. What's going on? Will there have to be a "do-over"?

[THUNDER HANDS]

1. yes

four years from now

[Bucky]

5. As they said on Match Game, *that* is the definitive answer

Life would be easier if we could all just not pay attention to pissants. Sadly, under our form of government, pissants have the vote.

[mmonk]

18. Best answer award.

[alcibiades_mystery]

2. The mod is an ignoramus

The oath isn't necessary at all.

[leftynyc]

16. Actually it is

He must recite those words. What isn't necessary is having a SC judge (let alone the chief) administer it, anybody can - Michelle could have done it while they were on the parade route.

[merh]

40. don't you know, it's part of the conspiracy

roberts was in on it, after all, O isn't a US citizen, he can't take the real oath, if he did he would have been struck down from above, zapped immediately by the powers that be.

:sarcasm:

[Connie_Corleone]

3. Obama became President at noon, oath or no oath.

[Mist]

6. That's what I was seeing posted around yesterday. Also remarks that

the oath is largely a formality. So it took me aback that so much was made of it by the CSPAN mod a few minutes ago. She went on about how the oath has to be administered "exactly," and said it may have to be re-administered. If this isn't so, CSPAN needs to get a smack-down!

[Bobbie Jo]

42. Correct. nt

[treestar]

4. If it came to litigation, I doubt it would be found to have to be exact

As long as the spirit of the thing was accomplished. The law is not that technical. When it comes to Constitutional interpretation, it is likely that the intent was that the President swear that he will faithfully execute the laws, and if he did swear to that (which he did) that'll be good enough.

[Mist]

8. Yes, but I hate the idea of freeps and other wingnuts making a BFD out of it. nt

[CTyankee]

20. With all of our problems facing us, I don't know why we have to even think about this.

If the wingnuts start a fight over it, they'll find out soon enough that the American people only view them with MORE contempt than they do now...

[EraOfResponsibility]

30. exactly not to mention it ruined what could've been a beautiful moment :(

[DearAbby]

41. So if the Wing Nuts take this to the Supreme Court

Who is sitting Chief Justice on the Supreme Court...gonna admit he royally fecked up, and the oath has to be redone? Its a petty issue with what is facing this country.

[NYC Liberal]

7. Oath is necessary for actually carrying out the duties of the office

"Before he enter on the Execution of his Office, he shall take the following Oath or Affirmation:"

But it's unclear if the 20th Amendment actually superseded that or not. It says: "The terms of the President and Vice President shall end at noon on the 20th day of January."

At any rate, a "do-over" would consist of Obama taking 30 seconds in his office with a judge and saying it. That's it.

[Mist]

10. So it sounds like the oath is required. True, a "do-over" is no biggie, but it should

probably be public. Why give freeps the grist?

[me b zola]

29. Because it gives them something to do

...and makes them sound as petty & divisive as they are. I say let them chew on that bone.

[leftynyc]

17. He doesn't need a judge

The white house cook could do it.

[Liberal In Texas]

28. If the cook is a notary. Any notary or officer of the court can administer the oath or

affirmation. I have to administer oaths on occasion for my job. It's required that I be a notary (state and federal).

[NYC Liberal]

44. As LibInTexas said, if they're notarized, sure.

[nc4bo]

9. These ignorassants (C-Span mod/Freeps) said nothing as gwb trampled all over

the Constitution and everything it stands for. EVERYTHING.

How dare they even think they have any right to talk about what is right and what is not.

Fucking hypocrites the lot of them and WE, the PEOPLE, need to remind ALL of them of this, loudly and often.

[Ilsa]

11. Since President Obama knows his Constitutional law, I'm sure he would

have told the Chief Justice, "Let's do it again, and this time let's get it right" if there was any question in his mind about the legality of his presidency.

[Mist]

12. True. Besides, Obama did wait for Roberts to get the wording right! nt

[UnrepentantUnitarian]

13. Good point, Ilsa!

Also yours too, nc4. He said the words, as suggested by the Chief Justice of the SCOTUS. Even if the order was not exact, he said the oath and swore to its intent and purpose.

[rasputin1952]

14. As was stated, on at least 2 occasions in the past, the Oath

was re-taken in private later.

According to the Constitution, Article II, Section 1, (last paragraph):

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"

Cut and dried, in order for the President to fulfill his duties, sign anything into Law or enact any Executive decisions, he must take said oath. As stated, at least twice, the Oath had been re-given immediately following the new President's address.

There are no requirements or recommendations as to who may give the Oath, Lyndon Johnson was given the Oath on AF1 after a judge in the area was found.

As for the gaffe Chief Justice Robert's pulled, I think it would be incredibly embarrassing if this would be taken to any some sort of legal challenge. Having a Chief Justice recuse himself because he made a verbal gaffe, showing the world that a USSC judge can't recite a basic part of the Constitution would be incredible...and funny as hell, since this was a bush appointment.

All things considered, this was mended immediately following President Obama's Inaugural Address.

[CTyankee]

21. Actually, I am not sure that Johnson had to take the oath. He already took the oath as VP

and his accession to the presidency on the death of a sitting president should just about do it...I think LBJ did it to calm the waters so to speak after the trauma of the assassination of JFK.

[rasputin1952]

25. There is a slight difference in wording...

president vs vice president. To me, it makes no difference, but to a lawyer, it would make all the diffeence in the world. Precednts had been set by all previous VP's elevated to president by the death/resigantion of the Chief Executive.

[rasputin1952]

26. Dupe post...

:blush:

[leftynyc]

15. For all we know

It was done prior to the event or even after the event. Roberts certainly isn't required to be there and Michelle could have easily given him the oath to recite while they were dressing for the balls. He just has to recite the words - there are no other obligations that must be met. Can we put this nonsense to rest now?

[Caretha]

19. Let's think about this

with a small example. If you mess up your marriage vows, and I imagine a whole lot of ordinary folks including freepers have, does that mean you're not married? I don't think so. President Obama DID NOT mess up his oath.

This is a non-issue. And all I have to say to anyone and all idiotic knuckle draggers who bring it up in my presence will be...

Don't you dare! Don't you fucking DARE go there!!!

I've put up with almost more than I can stand for the last 8 years of criminals daily and blatantly breaking the law and ignoring the constitution, and I've got one nerve left and suggest no one so much as rub it the wrong way. In fact I think I have PTSD.

def: Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a disorder that can develop following a traumatic event that threatens your safety or makes you feel helpless. Most people associate PTSD with battle-scarred soldiers – and military combat is the most common cause in men – but any overwhelming life experience can trigger PTSD, especially if the event is perceived as unpredictable and uncontrollable.

Following a traumatic event, almost everyone experiences at least some of the symptoms of PTSD. It’s very common to have bad dreams, feel fearful or numb, and find it difficult to stop thinking about what happened. But for most people, these symptoms are short-lived. They may last for several days or even weeks, but they gradually lift.

Still waiting to exhale.

Caretha

[Patsy Stone]

22. Princess Diana screwed up Prince Charles' name during the vows.

Unfortunately for her, it apparently didn't negate that marriage.

[CTyankee]

23. You are entitled to some R & R, Caretha. As are we all. I have long said that

living in the Bush presidency is like being in an abusive relationship, constantly fearing or being pummelled by a partner we can't get away from.

I cannot tell you the times I yearned to go live in Europe and had little fantasies, but reality brought me back to earth...

[Caretha]

24. Thanks CT

I also have to go to the dentist this morning, so my "one last nerve" is a little jangled this morning.

[CTyankee]

31. Take care. Keep warm.

Let's just relax and savor the moment.

I know, it hasn't jelled yet with me either...

[ITsec]

27. OK so if he does it over...

what else are the Freepers and Wingnuts going to find to bitch about?

Crimanies.

[kenziemom06]

32. It's always gonna be something...

some people are just never going to let him be -- remember what they did to the Clintons? it's going to be one thousand times worse for Obama -- we MUST be vigilant and remind them that it's THEIR TURN to be voices in the wilderness!!!

[DeschutesRiver]

33. Obama is a constitutional law professor type and a lawyer

I bet a billion bucks that the oath has already been re-administered in a 20 second re-do with witnesses, and videotaped. Problem solved. That is just how you tie up loose ends when stuff like this happens, and Obama is a guy who knows that well. I have complete faith in him that he has already done the necessary.

Non-issue already, but if it gives the freepers something to do with their time now that the birth certificate fake scam has ended, then I'd let 'em chew over this and hold out hope for as long as they wish before lowering the boom on them. Which is what happened with the phony birth cert. deal.

[suston96]

34. I believe Obama said all the words... although he paused for the CJ to catch up....nt

Edited:

It didn't go exactly that way. Here's a transcript of the Roberts-Obama verbal tango (complete with stepped-on-feet):

ROBERTS: Are you prepared to take the oath, Senator?
OBAMA: I am.
ROBERTS: I, Barack Hussein Obama...
OBAMA: I, Barack...
ROBERTS: ... do solemnly swear...
OBAMA: I, Barack Hussein Obama, do solemnly swear...
ROBERTS: ... that I will l 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.

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/44/2009/01/20/inauguration_flub_watch.html?wprss=44
ROBERTS: Congratulations, Mr. President.

[question everything]

38. Was it appropriate to address him as "Senator"?

since he resigned his office shortly after the elections?

Or do senators carry this title for the rest of their lives - unless something better came?

[anigbrowl]

39. Yes. Former senators are addressed as Senator (unless they enter a new office).

[BumRushDaShow]

35. Executive Branch employees

actually sign a document with the oath (which can be administered orally as an option as well and is witnessed) upon employment. So I would think that Obama had already signed similar before the formal, oral oath ceremony. Note that when they swore in Senators, they had the oral oath but also "signed the book" with the written one.

If anyone recalls early footage of Obama walking through Capitol corridors before joining up with Pelosi, et al, to go out on the dais for the swearing-in - where at the initial showing of him, he had a fearful and pensive look on his face as he walked - THAT is when I think he had just had the power of the office transferred to him.

Fortunately before he actually went outside, he had calmed himself somewhat and summoned up the strength to hide the nervousness.

[Sebastian Doyle]

36. Freeper "logic"

OK: Having a dumbass occupy an office he was NOT elected to for 8 years, starting two wars based on lies, shredding the Constitution, nominating other unqualified idiots to the Supreme Court, and bankrupting the country.

Not OK: Previously mentioned unqualified idiot Supreme Court judge fucks up two words on the Presidential Oath of Office, so the President (who won in an electoral landslide, and was supported in person by millions at his inaguration) is now "illegitimate".

Yeah, keep drinking that Sterno, you goddamn morans. :eyes:

[tigereye]

37. he becomes POTUS at noon regardless, I think

[DavidDvorkin]

43. So all those guys who added "so help me God" at the end of the oath

weren't legitimately sworn in.

According to that logic.