The scene at HRC's swearing-in

Posted: Monday, February 02, 2009 5:18 PM by Mark Murray
Filed Under: Joe Biden, State Dept.

From NBC's Andrea Mitchell and Libby Leist
Vice President Biden administered the oath of office to Hillary Clinton at a State Department ceremony -- and momentarily botched the oath by tripping over his words, but made a quick recovery (even though the crowd had chanted, "Get it right" before he even started).

The formal ceremony duplicated a private swearing-in in her Senate office after she was confirmed Jan. 22.

This time, her husband Bill, daughter Chelsea, and mother Dorothy Rodham jointly held the bible, as four previous secretaries of state (Baker, Kissinger, Eagleburger, Albright) and many Clinton supporters looked on.

As Clinton expressed her gratitude to her family members individually, she paused -- clearly searching for the right words to thank her husband. Grinning, she ended up thanking him for a life full of "all kinds of experiences." The crowd laughed, somewhat awkwardly.

Clinton also expressed surprise and wonder that she and Biden were in that circumstance -- Biden being VP, swearing her in as Secretary of State. "Life has a funny way of unfolding," she said.

Especially when it comes to politics.

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Comments

Funny, Biden screwed up administering the oath to Hillary but criticized the Supreme Court Justice for leading Obama down an embarrassing moment ... his own swearing in.

How many frickin' times does Major Gaffe, aka Joseph (Stooge) Biden, have to screw things up before someone wakes up and ups his medication or puts him in a rubber room (he can have visitors)?

Palomino (Sent Monday, February 02, 2009 5:27 PM)

Leave it to Joe. That could be the name of a new sit-com. Here he insults the Chief Justice of the SC by a supposed botch of the oath to Obama, and when he gets his big chance, he falls flat on his face. The only reason I think Obama picked Biden was so Joe could keep the media focus off of all the stumbles Obama will be making in his rookie season.

Clarence T., Washington DC (Sent Monday, February 02, 2009 5:28 PM)

Hillary doesn't care about any oath. She doesn't pay much attention to those thihgs.

Lexi Anderson (Sent Monday, February 02, 2009 5:29 PM)

Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da, life goes on.

Desmond and Molly (Sent Monday, February 02, 2009 5:30 PM)

FR: As Clinton expressed her gratitude to her family members individually, she paused -- clearly searching for the right words to thank her husband.

And there were none to be found. At least none that could be repeated in mixed company.

Linnie Olson, MN (Sent Monday, February 02, 2009 5:31 PM)

I was opposed to Hillary for President but feel she will do well as Secretary of State. Bill screwed up at times and made some stupid blundering errors, but I don't think there is any doubt he loves this country. I always enjoy seeing him and George Bush Sr. together and I think they enjoy one another. Look for Chelsea to enter the political scene one day. She'll do well. She is bright and talented.

C A, Tuscaloosa, AL (Sent Monday, February 02, 2009 5:32 PM)

CA (from another post)

Your right, the Lincoln Log analogy was right on target.

Thanks, pal.

Palomino (Sent Monday, February 02, 2009 5:32 PM)

Palin would have nailed the oath. Would have thrown in a "You'betcha" at the end too. Joe just had to sulk back to the White House, today is the day he cleans the toliets.

Joe's Buddy Al (Sent Monday, February 02, 2009 5:33 PM)

In the back of the room, was that Monica?

Need To Know (Sent Monday, February 02, 2009 5:37 PM)

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