Slog
News & ArtsSunday, January 20, 2013
News Obama Officially Sworn In
Posted by Dan Savage on Sun, Jan 20, 2013 at 9:48 AM
It looks like Roberts didn't screw it up this time.
2
Roberts didn't screw it up their aids did
CNN Senior Legal Analyst Jeffrey Toobin reported in his recent book, "The Oath," that Roberts is known for his "superb memory" and had obsessively practiced reciting the words at home for weeks.
Government sources told CNN and Toobin that Roberts and his staff also e-mailed their own copy of the oath to inauguration organizers weeks earlier.
Slash marks were clearly indicated to illustrate how the phrases would be divided and where Roberts would pause, to ensure the president-elect would be on the same page.
No one is sure why it happened, but "the oath card never reached anyone on Barack Obama's staff," Toobin wrote.
So since both didn't know how the other was saying it both got flustered.
CNN Senior Legal Analyst Jeffrey Toobin reported in his recent book, "The Oath," that Roberts is known for his "superb memory" and had obsessively practiced reciting the words at home for weeks.
Government sources told CNN and Toobin that Roberts and his staff also e-mailed their own copy of the oath to inauguration organizers weeks earlier.
Slash marks were clearly indicated to illustrate how the phrases would be divided and where Roberts would pause, to ensure the president-elect would be on the same page.
No one is sure why it happened, but "the oath card never reached anyone on Barack Obama's staff," Toobin wrote.
So since both didn't know how the other was saying it both got flustered.
3
(How do we know Roberts didn't have his fingers crossed?)
Seriously, Michelle looked like she was about to get the giggles.
Seriously, Michelle looked like she was about to get the giggles.
4
@2 no. Roberts flubbed the oath the first time. And then Obama hesitated about whether to say the actual words or just repeat what Roberts said.
It was obvious to anyone watching who knew the actual oath that Roberts screwed up. You should have heard us yelling at the TV when it happened.
It was obvious to anyone watching who knew the actual oath that Roberts screwed up. You should have heard us yelling at the TV when it happened.
5
I have a dream--That John Roberts will spend the rest of his life swearing in a very long succession of Democratic presidents.
6
@4, @2 has the just of it. You should read Toobin's account. Roberts got flustered after Obama started repeating at the wrong time. It messed up the whole rhythm. Who wouldn't get flustered in front of two million people.
7
Christ, I actually got teary eyed watching this. What a beautiful family, and man, those girls are getting big. Digging Michelle's bangs - being a bang-wearer (?) myself.
Christ, I actually got teary eyed watching this. What a beautiful family, and man, those girls are getting big. Digging Michelle's bangs - being a bang-wearer (?) myself.
8
another term, another $6Trillion in debt....
oh pooh.....
a Trillion here. a Trillion there.
who's counting?
besides,
the kids who will have to pay it back aren't even old enough to count.
oh pooh.....
a Trillion here. a Trillion there.
who's counting?
besides,
the kids who will have to pay it back aren't even old enough to count.
10
#2
Maybe Roberts was thrown off by Obama's recitation because they did not practice or something. But Roberts still got the words wrong.
Maybe Roberts was thrown off by Obama's recitation because they did not practice or something. But Roberts still got the words wrong.
12
Here's hoping we get four years of enlightened leadership. I can hope all I want.
I'd be happy if we stopped that drone war in northern Pakistan or closed Guantanamo. The past several years have shown me that America isn't a country for freedom and justice; it's only a country that aspires to be so. That's not nothing. It's a good place to start.
If not that, then maybe more funding for NASA and comparable science programs. Studies show that they pump far more money back into the economy than they cost. I want America to be a force for justice in the world, but I also wouldn't mind if we stayed on top of the heap!
I'd be happy if we stopped that drone war in northern Pakistan or closed Guantanamo. The past several years have shown me that America isn't a country for freedom and justice; it's only a country that aspires to be so. That's not nothing. It's a good place to start.
If not that, then maybe more funding for NASA and comparable science programs. Studies show that they pump far more money back into the economy than they cost. I want America to be a force for justice in the world, but I also wouldn't mind if we stayed on top of the heap!
13
Roberts screwed it up again. When you're swearing someone in, you feed the oath-taker the exact words they're supposed to say.
Roberts started out right. "I, Barack Hussein Obama" that's correct so far: Roberts used the pronoun "I" so Obama could repeat back exactly what Roberts gave him. But then at the end --
"... so help you God." NO NO NO. NO. Roberts was supposed to say "... so help me God." not make Obama convert the pronoun on the fly.
Sheesh. He did the same thing last time, along with a bunch of other stuff (http://www.electoral-vote.com/evp2009/Se…).
Roberts started out right. "I, Barack Hussein Obama" that's correct so far: Roberts used the pronoun "I" so Obama could repeat back exactly what Roberts gave him. But then at the end --
"... so help you God." NO NO NO. NO. Roberts was supposed to say "... so help me God." not make Obama convert the pronoun on the fly.
Sheesh. He did the same thing last time, along with a bunch of other stuff (http://www.electoral-vote.com/evp2009/Se…).
15
@13 "So help me God" is not part of the Oath given in the Constitution. It has always been said afterward, according to tradition, but is not a part of it (you can imagine that the Buddhist president we elect in 2036 isn't going to want to add it).
As a result, Roberts, having administered the Oath, says, as a question, "So help you God?" (you can hear his voice raise at the end as a verbal question mark). And Obama answers, "So help me God."
As a result, Roberts, having administered the Oath, says, as a question, "So help you God?" (you can hear his voice raise at the end as a verbal question mark). And Obama answers, "So help me God."
Advertisement
Most Commented on Slog
-
Foie Gras Tastes Like Cat Food by Callan Berry
-
SL Letter of the Day: The Tell-Tale Handjob by Dan Savage
-
Cap Hill Is Becoming a Little Like What? by Charles Mudede
-
Pizza Update: Breaking the 5-Minute Barrier by Goldy
-
President Obama Says NSA Spying Is "Transparent" by Paul Constant
-
Today in the Surveillance State: The "War on Reality" by Brendan Kiley
-
Slog Bible Study: Leviticus 20:9 by Goldy
-
The Full Text of David Guterson's Controversial Commencement Speech by Dominic Holden
-
The Monday Morning News by Goldy
-
Egyptian Theatre to Close at the End of This Month by Paul Constant
Stranger Personals
The Stranger
RSSSeattle Art & Performance Quarterly
A complete guide to Seattle's current art, film, dance, and theater season.
Facebook
Twitter
Comments (15) RSS