Is Obama officially president at midnight or not until Oath-taking?

[Liberal_in_LA]

Is Bush officially EX-prez at midnight?

[mucifer]

1. Obama needs the oath. LBJ had to be sworn in on a plane after JFK was assassinated

[Liberal_in_LA]

So there is no gap, I suppose Bush is prez until Obama takes oath

Just wondering, there seemed to be a lot of celebrating on DU since Friday, as if Bush leaving white house was end of presidency.

[Wapsie B]

2. He'll be President when he takes the Oath of Office.

[Dennis Donovan]

3. As soon as he says "so help me God."

Not a minute sooner or later.:hi:

[Liberal_in_LA]

7. thanks!

[NYC Liberal]

4. No, 12 Noon. And he's president then, oath or not.

He just needs the oath before actually being able to execute the powers of the office.

[Skittles]

5. est?

just making sure, I work nights and have to set my alarm early

[NYC Liberal]

6. Yep! nt

[Norrin Radd]

8. Not until Gore and Kerry declare they are no longer President.

[Yavapai]

9. So there is still time for him to screw something up then???

[Liberal_in_LA]

10. I guess there is still time for him to start a 3rd war

[Uzybone]

13. Yep, Bush can nuke Iran

right up to the second that Barack completes the oath.

In theory.

[KharmaTrain]

12. We're Not Out Of The Pardon Woods Yet...

This turdball is sure to leave this to the very last second...overnight tonight or early tomorrow morning...we'll get his real pardon list and possibly some stunt to try some kind of retroactive immunity over the criminals in his regime.

I won't breath easy until he's out of Washington, period.

[Zomby Woof]

11. The oath, regardless of time

From the Constitution of the United States, at the very end of Article II, Section 1:


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 time of day is a matter of tradition, but the oath is when the transference is official. Barack Hussein Obama, Jr. will not be President of These United States until just a few seconds after noon EST, upon completing the oath. :patriot: :bounce:

More here:

http://www.usconstitution.net/const.html

[Jack Rabbit]

14. The Frat Boy's term expires at Noon

Per the Twentieth Amendment.