Why was the Chief Justice John Roberts speaking so quickly during the oath ceremony?

‘Cause it’s COLD!
I thought they seemed out of sync, too. But I think that was just the MSNBC feed.

(replaying it)

wow… that is painful.

Just looks like they didn’t actually practice that together in advance.

That’s Robert’s failure… since he’s the one leading the Oath of Office.

Maybe he forgot to use the little boy’s room beforehand…

haha, yeah it did seem cold!!! Maybe they were just too cold to speak correctly! I just felt so bad for them both! I mean EVERYONE was watching!!! Biden’s went so smoothly! And was really sweet when he thanked him and shook his hand.

Because he needed to finish up really quickly and get to his statistics homework.

Nah its no ones fault. I know what happened, obama was thinking in his head all week “dont screw up the swearing in, dont screw up the swearing in.” and in true peter griffin fashion, he screwed up the swearing in lol.

I mean yeah it was roberts fault but still gotta find the humor in it. maybe roberts had a peter griffin moment.

The moment of confusion arose because Roberts got the oath wrong, and Obama was pausing to give him a chance to correct himself.

Roberts said ”...and will execute the office of President of the United States faithfully…” when it should have been ”..and will faithfully execute the office…”

i know! haha my mum and i were thinking the same thing. i guess it was the cold and just. i don’t know, excitement?

Obama was one of the senetors who opposed the appointment of Roberts, does anyone else think that Roberts tries to trip up Obama???

I thought it was endearing. I mean, these are people after all. People mess up, and I liked the slight break in all the pomp and circumstance.

I think he was just clumsy with it. He seems to interrupt Obama after pausing to let him speak.

The whole thing was kind of a mess. When he repeated the second bit back to Obama he switched some of the words around, it sounded like. But Obama still got them right, I think.

I’m not disagreeing with any of the reasons being given, but I can’t help but feel like Obama is receiving a lot more grace in this thread than would have been given to W or McCain in a similar situation.

@aidje: Well that’s because W is incompetent and McCain is old. Obama is a rock star. I’m totally being facetious.

@ aidje Let’s face it, many of us (I know not all Flutherites) are in love with him right now and will give a free pass for anything he does. Don’t worry, that won’t last forever.

It did seem to me that someone screwed up on the order of the words and it was awkwardly done, but I found it endearing too.

I thought his speech was great too. He manages to make so many solid points in such a powerful way.

@seekingwolf – I can only imagine what so many African-Americans feel and what a joy it must bring them, but it gives me great pride that we have been able to come this far. I choke up whenever I think of Obama’s statement, “In no other country on earth is my story even possible.”

It was indeed endearing. And there are a lot of reasons why obamas inaugeration is being celebrated much more than bushs, to keep it short just look at the circumstances that bush was elected. in 2000 he was appointed by the supreme court, and in 2004 he got in by the skin on his teeth thanks to some shady back door republican back scratching perpatrated by ohios lovely ken blackwell. Barack is no doubt the peoples president, where I don’t know if bush could ever claim that title.

Here’s the video of the swearing in.

Here’s the official text of the oath:
“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.”

It was just confirmed that the judge apologized and indicated it was his fault. on abc.

@aidje, i agree, but really if mccain was swearing in and made the same little mistakes, i personally don’t think i would think much of it.

it was just a little stumble over words. i’ve done worse in one on one conversations haha, i don’t tend to be overly critical over stuff like that. and i don’t really think the chief justice should have had to apologize either. how weird.

he might have been nervous… i mean its only major American history…

it’s the ring bearer who got it right at the wedding rehearsal, but kind of got the wires crossed on the big day. wow, that’s ok son, the marriage still happened. ya did good.

For the record it feels like thirteen degrees outside and I’m twenty minutes from DC. Three hours ago, it was even colder.

Was it Nixon or Reagan who accidentally raised his hand when one of his cabinet members was being sworn in. Important people do goofy things, too!

So I looked it up and this is what happened:

The oath, found in Article II Section I of the Constitution, reads, I do solemnly swear that I will faithfully execute the office of President of the United States….

The Chief asked Obama to repeat these words, ”...that I will execute the office of President to the United States faithfully….” It’s “of” the United States and the word “faithfully” should have come before the word “execute.”

Oh well, at least the speech went well! But then again, his speeches are always great!

Well this question sure started a lot of discussion! That’s great. Thanks for all the input guys!

… now about that statistics homework :-)