About that oath flub

Posted: Tuesday, January 20, 2009 12:22 PM by Domenico Montanaro

From NBC's Pete Williams
The recitation of the presidential oath came in fits and starts.

The Constitution prescribes the text: "I do solemnly swear that I will faithfully execute the office of President of the United States and will to best of my ability preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States."

But Chief Justice John Roberts, using no notes, flubbed his lines, and Obama knew it.

First, Obama jumped in before the "do solemnly swear" phrase, which seemed to throw the chief justice off his stride. Roberts rendered the next phrase as "that I will execute the office of President to the United States faithfully."

"That I will execute," Obama repeated, then paused like a school teacher prompting his student with a slight nod. Roberts took another shot at it: "The off ... faithfully the pres ... the office of President of the United States."

The oath then got more or less back on track after that. Close enough for government work.

NBC's Abby Livingston adds the transcript:
ROBERTS: I, Barack Hussein Obama...
OBAMA: I, Barack...
ROBERTS: ... do solemnly swear...
OBAMA: I, Barack Hussein Obama, do solemnly swear...
ROBERTS: ... that I will 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.
ROBERTS: Congratulations, Mr. President.

EMAIL THIS

Comments

First Read......Obama flubbed HIS line, and you KNOW it!
More proof that he just cant speak without that teleprompter.
Stop LYING, and start telling the TRUH!

J. Merle Stanley Westchester, NY (Sent Tuesday, January 20, 2009 12:32 PM)

Someone please tell Olbermann and Matthews that this is about the transition of power in our country, NOT THEM!!! So while these proceedings are going on, would they be so kind as to shut the hell up!

Brian Venable, Bothell, WA (Sent Tuesday, January 20, 2009 12:34 PM)

I imagine they were both really nervous. It was kind of cool to see that they are both human.

Kathy, Southfield, MI (Sent Tuesday, January 20, 2009 12:35 PM)

The fumbling of his oath shows he's human like the rest of us, and no one is perfect. Was a great taking of the oath in my opinion.

J. Austin (Sent Tuesday, January 20, 2009 12:36 PM)

Sorry...when the Chief Justice messes up the actual wording of the oath, and the President-Elect knows it and recognizes the error, that would be ROBERTS flubbing the line.

Mike Stromenger, Fargo, ND (Sent Tuesday, January 20, 2009 12:37 PM)

I knew they should have had Clarence Thomas do it, even if he isn't the chief justice.

Richard, Washington State (Sent Tuesday, January 20, 2009 12:39 PM)

Stop hating and start congratulating. Like Bush was
a paradigm of articulation and fluid thought. By the way, hater, there is an additional "t" in truth.

JazzBuff630, Harlem NY (Sent Tuesday, January 20, 2009 12:40 PM)

...and if we keep this type of childish behavior going on...THE BLAME GAME...this country will never move forward...it's ceremonial...move on and get to work...

David Rourke; San Francisco, CA (Sent Tuesday, January 20, 2009 12:40 PM)

Oh, Merle, even with the transcript before you, you still get it wrong.

Joline, Tijeras, NM (Sent Tuesday, January 20, 2009 12:40 PM)

Please. They both flubbed their lines. Obama can speak without a teleprompter and when he does, he does not mangle the English language.

David Arthur (Sent Tuesday, January 20, 2009 12:40 PM)

J. Merle, get a life, PLEASE.

Jake, KS (Sent Tuesday, January 20, 2009 12:40 PM)

Looks like they both flubbed it...

Jim, Dallas, TX (Sent Tuesday, January 20, 2009 12:41 PM)

Come on...this was clearly Roberts' fault. Roberts biffed it. Sure, maybe Obama should have said it correctly--we all know the oath, it's not that long, it's in the Constitution. But Roberts is supposed to nail it and he didn't even come close.

I'm not a giant Obama fan and didn't vote for him. But clearly Roberts blew it here.

JS, SF CA (Sent Tuesday, January 20, 2009 12:41 PM)

And you can't spell T R U T H

carrollton (Sent Tuesday, January 20, 2009 12:41 PM)

Oh, my god...were you even listening? It's not a conspiracy theory....I was listening live, and read what Roberts said versus what it's supposed to say. Let them flub due to nerves, it's freaking not that big of a deal!!!!

Lara Omaha, NE (Sent Tuesday, January 20, 2009 12:43 PM)

barack has made all americans proud regardless of color

andrea thomas (Sent Tuesday, January 20, 2009 12:44 PM)

You can't spell TRUTH. Apparently you aren't perfect either.

Joe Ohio (Sent Tuesday, January 20, 2009 12:44 PM)

Ooh, somebody's grumpy! Don't get your knickers in a twist, there, at least not until you've actually seen what our new President can do, hmm?

D. Sanders, Deer Park, TX (Sent Tuesday, January 20, 2009 12:45 PM)

8-25
Give it up J Merle - Obama is the president and unless you want to move to Canada - get over it. We lived [and died] with Bush, so bring it on, you and the rest of the deadenders!. Run the tape!

Kay P Tempe AZ (Sent Tuesday, January 20, 2009 12:45 PM)

Uhm...Obama is a person like anyone else and got a little nervous/excited and spoke his lines a little too soon...get over it. It has nothing to do with his character or the way he's going to be running our country. How many times did FORMER President Bush misread a line or mispronounce something completely? Not to mention the many times he mislead the country on WMDs.....Go Obama!

Kerry, Princeton, NJ (Sent Tuesday, January 20, 2009 12:45 PM)

Why is it a big deal at all? It's like a wedding ceremony. No matter how badly the bride and groom may botch their lines, they're still married at the end of the service. We've just completed 8 years of botched lines anyway. :-)

Tim - Louisville, KY (Sent Tuesday, January 20, 2009 12:45 PM)

Great speech, but the President said 44 Americans have now taken the Presidential oath. It is only 43 Americans. Grover Cleveland was the 22nd and 24th President.

Matthew Rahway, NJ (Sent Tuesday, January 20, 2009 12:45 PM)

he flubbed his line. so what? he's President. Get used to it. And your last president "flubbed" every time he opened his mouth.

joe cross, charlotte, nc (Sent Tuesday, January 20, 2009 12:45 PM)

It made for a memorial oath of office because it goes to show that even the BEST public speakers get nervous and that we're all HUMAN!
I am proud that I was able to catch the oath and his speech. I can say honestly this is the only inaguration that I've actually taken time to pay attention to and make time to watch in the 20years I've been voting.

Donna Stockstill (Sent Tuesday, January 20, 2009 12:45 PM)

Roberts paused after the name, and Obama started. Roberts then continued and that threw both men off. Roberts then incorrectly gave the next line - look at the transcript and a video clip. It was clear Obama knew what he was supposed to say, but was caught with the choice of reciting Roberts' words or the correct oath. He recited Roberts' words.

I. McGinnis (Sent Tuesday, January 20, 2009 12:45 PM)

"So help me, God" is not part of the oath. Chief Justice Roberts should not have prompted President Obama to say it. There was far too much Christianity up on that stage today.

Carol Anne, Seattle (Sent Tuesday, January 20, 2009 12:46 PM)

Good job Chief Justice Roberts and President Obama, we are human and we make mistakes. God Bless you and may God Bless America!

Latarsha Patrick, Madison, MS (Sent Tuesday, January 20, 2009 12:47 PM)

Still bitter, aren't we, J. Merle?

US Constitution, Article II, Section 1 includes the following...

"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."

Crawl back into your hole, you little troll!

Pete - Albany, NY (Sent Tuesday, January 20, 2009 12:47 PM)

Barack did not flub his speach, the chief justice was the one who took him off pace. Like good old
george could speak!

Ann Randall (Sent Tuesday, January 20, 2009 12:48 PM)

I thought Obama was probably caught up in the weightiness of the moment, I mean, there he was after such a long road personally and nationally, taking the oath for the president of the United States. One might possibly 'flub' their line.

However, I saw the inauguration and it seemed like the justice chuckled a little as though he realized his 'woops' moment. I'll have to check out youtube and see.

The bottom line is, though...Bush is OUTA THEEERRREEE!!! And my presidential pick is IN!!

Woohoo AMERICA!!!

BamaBoy - Smarter than the average redneck! (Sent Tuesday, January 20, 2009 12:51 PM)

You people are delusional...hahahah

Obama jumped the gun and spoke over Roberts...because he just can't keep his big flapping mouth shut.

He sounded surprised when Roberts said his middle name...HUESEIN. I think that's what threw him off.

His speech was lackluster too.....not inspiring at all.

GOD HELP US with this motor-mouthed-moron in The White House!

J. Merle Stanley, Westchester, NY (Sent Tuesday, January 20, 2009 12:51 PM)

It's nice to know that he's human. I chalked it up to nerves. Could YOU say that whole phrase the first time with that many people watching you?

Robin, Fort Wayne, Indiana (Sent Tuesday, January 20, 2009 12:52 PM)

Carol Anne:

I wondered if anyone would notice. Thanks for being fair and balanced. Jesus loves you.

Richard, Washington State (Sent Tuesday, January 20, 2009 12:53 PM)

I wonder if Roberts purposely paused after stating the President's name (complete with Hussein in the middle) just to try to place emphasis on Hussein? I'm kind of joking here, but I don't put anything past a con(artist)servative anymore!

Alan, Pittsburgh, PA (Sent Tuesday, January 20, 2009 12:53 PM)

Poor j. Merle Stanley...they have been wrong so many times and apparently can't read transcripts either...sad

Rojer Ram jetski (Sent Tuesday, January 20, 2009 12:53 PM)

How about looking at all that went right. How about recognizing that this man just took on the biggest mess created by humans. How about looking to how we can help progress and move forward instead of taking the time to point fingers and criticize. Start something new today, right now, think positive.

Athena Munroe (Sent Tuesday, January 20, 2009 12:54 PM)

So much for Obama's suggestion that we start forgetting the petty grievances or criticisms and get back on track of reshaping this country. Give it a rest people. You guys sound like memebrs of Congress and I thought we were to start setting examples for them as to how they should act and respond.

C A, Tuscaloosa, AL (Sent Tuesday, January 20, 2009 12:55 PM)

"Stop LYING, and start telling the TRUH!"
J. Merle Stanley Westchester, NY (Sent Tuesday, January 20, 2009 12:32 PM)

I'll start telling the TRUH when YOU start telling the TRUH!

What an idiot!

TRUH matters! (Sent Tuesday, January 20, 2009 12:55 PM)

The Right Wingnuts are probably now going to sue claiming that Obama isn't actually the president because he didn't utter the oath exactly correctly.

Susan Doolittle, Seattle Washington (Sent Tuesday, January 20, 2009 12:56 PM)

Whether or not Obama flubbed his speech is dependent entirely on what the definition of the word "is" is.

Craig, GR, MI (Sent Tuesday, January 20, 2009 12:57 PM)

EVERYONE please stop responding to J. Merle.

The posts are purly for attention and not to further debate, wisdom or humor.

I agree with Jake, KS.

Dennis, Columbus, Ohio (Sent Tuesday, January 20, 2009 12:57 PM)

Are you all actually arguing about this? Who the hell cares!?!?! He's President, ya'll!

Ellisa H. Nashville, TN (Sent Tuesday, January 20, 2009 12:57 PM)

I don't care so much about the flubbing of the lines as I do with the comment about "remaking America". What exactly is that supposed to mean? God help us!

L.L. Reading, PA (Sent Tuesday, January 20, 2009 12:58 PM)

The chief justice blew it. Period. It's a "repeat after me" and the CJ blew the moment. He gave Obama the wrong line.

Dave Boston, MA (Sent Tuesday, January 20, 2009 12:58 PM)

Not inspiring at all? I'm generally not emotional and it almost brought a tear to my eye. Everyone I've spoken with has said much of the same!

D. Sanders, Deer Park, TX (Sent Tuesday, January 20, 2009 12:59 PM)

Makes one wonder how well Roberts REALLY knows the Constitution, doesn't it?

I was listening (Sent Tuesday, January 20, 2009 1:00 PM)

Good Lord, people like J. Merle Stanley are just delusional. No matter what FACTS are staring them right in the face (like the transcript of what Justice Roberts was SUPPOSED to say), you still try to hate on Obama any chance you can.

Honestly, people like you are just coming off as totally pathetic with your tired-ass Obama hating.

Linda (Sent Tuesday, January 20, 2009 1:00 PM)

I can't wait till he is impeached and tried for treason. He has links to Bin Laden.

Peter , Philadelphia (Sent Tuesday, January 20, 2009 1:00 PM)

Well, guys, time for all of you who SWORE that you would move elswhere if Obama ever became president to make good on your word.

Joe, Oklahoma City (Sent Tuesday, January 20, 2009 1:01 PM)

Lighten up, Carol Anne.

Roberts did'nt prompt Obama to say "So help me, God" as part of the oath of office - he asked him a question ("So help you God?").

Read the transcript, take a deep breath, and think happy thoughts...

Bill, Portlaned, OR (Sent Tuesday, January 20, 2009 1:01 PM)

Next >>

SEND A COMMENT

PLEASE READ: All comments must be approved before appearing in the thread; time and space constraints prevent all comments from appearing. We will only approve comments that are directly related to the blog, use appropriate language and are not attacking the comments of others.

Message (please, no HTML tags. Web addresses will be hyperlinked):

Your name, city and state (John Doe, Seattle, Wash.):

Your e-mail address (jdoe@msnbc.com):

Your website (it's okay if you don't have one):

Remember me? (We'll keep it private) Remember me?

TRACKBACKS

Trackbacks are links to weblogs that reference this post. Like comments, trackbacks do not appear until approved by us. The trackback URL for this post is: http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/trackback.aspx?PostID=1751351