Introducing President Nancy Pelosi!
By Richard Okelberry (Note: This Essay was originally published at KVNU’s, For the People Blog.)
This is the kind of thing Bloggers live for. As many of you know, when Barack Obama took the Presidential Oath yesterday there was a slight hiccup. Rather than reciting the oath as it was written in the U.S. Constitution, Chief Justice John Roberts had Barack Obama say, “execute the Office of the President of the United States faithfully,” when he should have said “faithfully execute the Office of the United States”
“…Constitution law professors said that taking the oath again would be wise, though it was not strictly speaking necessary. “Out of a superabundance of caution, perhaps he should do it again,” Akhil Reed Amar, of Yale University, told the Washington Post.
“He should probably take the oath again,” said Jonathan Turley of George Washington University. “If he doesn’t, there are going to be people who for the next four years are going to argue that he didn’t meet the constitutional standard.”
Chester Arthur, in 1881, and Calvin Coolidge, in 1923, both repeated the oath privately because of similar mistakes… “– Telegraph.co.uk
While this may seem like a simple mistake that is not worth even discussing, many constitutional scholars are arguing that this might well be a bigger deal that any of us expect and might lead to legal challenges of every order given by Obama, including even his recent order to close GITMO in Cuba. Additionally, it is now even questionable whether Obama could authorize the U.S. to use its nuclear arsenal or command the military in defense of the country. Of course this blip will likely be simply remedied if it hasn’t been already by simply having him retake the oath; it begs the question of who then is our current president.
Because George W. Bush cannot serve beyond his constitutional 2 terms the presidency will fall to either Joe Biden or Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi. While it is likely the presidency falls to Joe Biden since he was sworn in just prior to Obama, there is a possibility that the job falls to the Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi.
I am voting for Nancy Pelosi because it would mean that in short order we not only get our first black president but also our first woman president. While this debate doesn’t really mean much in the greater scheme of things, it sure has put an interesting twist on the beginning of this historic 45th presidency.
14 comments to Introducing President Nancy Pelosi!
January 21st, 2009 at 2:00 pm ·
Hmmm, I heard that he took the actual oath of office in private, and that one was just ceremonial.
January 21st, 2009 at 2:14 pm ·
P.S. It’s spelled “Barack”, not “Barrack”.
January 21st, 2009 at 2:24 pm ·
Sorry, Misty… I wrote this quickly before having to take my daughter to school. I’ll correct it.
I could see how, because this happened twice before, they might do it right afterward again, just to be sure… But I’d hate to think all those people sitting on the mall were just watching a Milli Vanilli moment.
- rmwarnick
January 21st, 2009 at 3:28 pm ·
R.O. is apparently not familiar with the Constitution.
20th Amendment:
“The terms of the President and Vice President shall end at noon on the 20th day of January, …and the terms of their successors shall then begin.”
So, let’s review. Massive violations of the Constitution by George W. Bush– not a problem? Imaginary violation of the Constitution by President Barack Obama– a big deal?
January 21st, 2009 at 4:06 pm ·
Geez, RM, must everything become a screed? This post is clearly lighthearted.
January 21st, 2009 at 6:21 pm ·
It ok Craig… I’m used to it from Mr. Warnick.
If we want to be technical, a strong argument could be made that by not take the proper oath the President never became “qualified” for office since the oath is constitutionally mandated. Which means that someone could make a constitutional challenge until Obama retakes the oath because the 20th Amendment does not specifically remove the oath of office as a qualification for office.
This is why twice before, presidents have retaken the oath, just in case. Of course maybe those two presidents should have just taken your advice and used only section 1 of the 20th Amendment and ignored the constitutional scholars that advised them to retake their oaths.
“While it’s apparently true that Obama became president at the stroke of noon yesterday and didn’t need to say the oath to take office, the Constitution specifies that the incoming president say the oath as written before he or she can execute the powers of the office. The presidential oath of office is required of a new president before he can execute his powers, and the Constitution is clear that its 35 words must be spoken exactly.” – Wall Street Journal
So he’s president but just can’t do what presidents are elected to do. Right? I’m with you Richard, perhaps it would be better if Obama doesn’t retake the oath. Then we could have 4 years of conservatives claiming that Obama is illegitimate the way liberals did for 8 with Bush. Can anyone say RECOUNT!
I’m surprised you have yet to argue that Roberts did this on purpose, Richard. You really need to lighten up a bit.
January 21st, 2009 at 6:38 pm ·
This is good, though. We have a backup option in case that whole Obama citizenship thing doesn’t pan out.
January 21st, 2009 at 6:45 pm ·
obama retook the oath: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/28780417/?gt1=42003
craig and rich, i wonder if you would be so hip on this if roberts had flubbed this for mccain.
tongue in cheek, of course…
January 21st, 2009 at 6:49 pm ·
I speak on behalf of all the rednecks that have been purchasing ammo and guns in a panic since november
In yelling AHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! at the thought of nancy pelosi as president of these here states of america
at least she would give us a target for all are new ammo
wowo chills rich at that thoughtJanuary 21st, 2009 at 10:41 pm ·
Sorry Plowking,
The Pelosi thing was really just a bit of comic relief. I personally think he should have made a big show of re-taking the oath. Maybe he could have invited the 50,000 people stuck in the tunnel with Tyler holding their tickets.
Richard Warnick,
If I was so wrong about the potential constitutional significance, why do you think Obama re-took the oath?
Jess,
This was just a hiccup. It wouldn’t have bothered me either way. Personally, I didn’t really care much for McCain. Even if I had, we all need a sense of humor about such things. Would it make you feel any better if I said Cheney looked like the Penguin from Batman? (It took me years to place the face… It was on that day that I finally put it together.)
- rmwarnick
January 22nd, 2009 at 8:53 am ·
I doubt if this was a GOP plot. Chief Justice Roberts was simply carrying on in the grand tradition of Bush appointee incompetence.
President Obama re-took the oath out of respect for tradition, and to give the Chief Justice a chance to redeem himself.
January 22nd, 2009 at 9:21 am ·
Richard Warnick,
Hmmm… I have yet to hear that explanation from a single reliable news source. Even NPR has been reporting that he retook the oath out of an abundance of caution. Do you have some inside source that you are not telling us about?
BTW: when you say you doubt that this was a GOP plot, does that mean you refuse to rule it out?
- rmwarnick
January 22nd, 2009 at 9:55 am ·
You asked for my opinion. I told you.
January 22nd, 2009 at 6:19 pm ·
the pot thickens it has actuly been given 3 times now because the secound time it was not given with the bible. and so to way in on the side of caution it was given a 3 rd time. So abc radio news is reporting. Rich i cant believe how this total joke of a hickup has became such a feasco. And does the constitution state that it has to be done on the bible i didnt know that. I do now that the one Muslim who was sworn in to congress did it on Thomas Jeffersons Quran I thought that was awsome anyways gess it just shows how rediculas are lives have become the way this has been so heated instead of just laughed at
Still Polosi man chills, Just hearing her voice makes me quiver its like the naging ex wife that wont go away
