Comments on: Inaugural Rough Justice

By: Antonio castillo

Antonio castillo — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 16:46:12 +0000

Is all this necessary?
Typical of us to judge when others make a mistake.

He is already president because it was past the witching hour, and anything after that was simply protocol.
All of you are right except for the silly chief justice.

Editor: The constitution requires that the wording of the oath be precisely followed. That is why the oath was retaken the following day in order to stricly conform with the requirements of the constitution. An aspect which is not simply a matter of adherence to protocol. When the Chief Justice of the United States makes such an elementary blunder regarding the matter of correctly interpreting the wording of a segment the US Constitution, people have every right and indeed a civic responsibility to critique his performance. JH

By: Rev. Donald "Skull" Powell

Rev. Donald "Skull" Powell — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 16:07:47 +0000

John…Unless he was aware of the time when he asked President Obama if he were ready to take the oath, he was correct to refer to him as Senator. If you look back (most news media outlets have them listed), you will see that all previous Presidents were addressed by their prior elected office. For example, Ike was addressed as General and in their first inaugurations both Clinton and Bush were addressed as Governor.

The point of whether the Chief Justice knew the time it a telling one. It was started at 12:05 so Obama was already de facto President at the time. Both men showed a tremendous amount of class in how they have handled this and they seem to have formed a fast friendship that can only help our country down the road.

By: Tricia

Tricia — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 02:46:29 +0000

Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts made a mistake during the swearing in of Barack Obama.

That’s the second mistake the Supreme Court has made with a president, if you count the time they declared Bush the winner.

– Jay Leno

By: Colette Jurcevich

Colette Jurcevich — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 01:26:55 +0000

John
I’m glad you addressed this, because it was truly a shame that Chief Justice Roberts let such an important event be spoiled so to speak. Chief Justice Roberts did not make a public comment on the matter that I have heard and I think he should apologize publicly, if not privately, which he may have done. He should not have depended on his memory, no matter how intelligent he is. This was a far too important occasion for “President elect” Barack Obama amid the millions of people watching around the world. I felt very bad that President Barack Obama had that happen to him. It was uncomfortable and awkward for all, but he handled it so graciously as we all knew he would.

By: Elle in MI

Elle in MI — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 01:05:27 +0000

John,

I agree about the inappopriate way the Chief Justice addressed Mr. Obama. He should have used President Elect if he wanted to use a title. It was a putdown to use Senator, not only because he resigned the post, but that he had already ascended to a higher level, and technically, since it was 5 minutes past noon, he was already officially Mr. President.

My husband is also a constitutional law scholar/professor and he said the presidential oath is the only part of the constitution enclosed in quotation marks which means it must be said exactly as written. President Obama knew CJ Roberts was incorrect, I believe CJ Roberts doesn’t really like the idea of a President Obama because he had one simple thing to do and he botched it. In the end I believe this reflects badly on CJ Roberts.

Editor: That is correct. In an inauguration year the President elect automatically assumes the office of President at noon on January 20th even if the oath has not been taken beforehand. Thank you for your most informative comment. JH

By: Patrick L Coleman

Patrick L Coleman — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 22:33:02 +0000

John–

You are right on all but one item–addressing him as Senator. Traditionally, after leaving office, former office holders are addressed by title of the highest office they held, e.g., Walter Mondale, though former Senator and Ambassador, is addressed as Vice-President.

I think everything else that Roberts has said in that office is wrong, but that he is correct on that one item.

Editor:
I understand, however having won the general election, “President elect” (a higher status) was regarded as the current and correct protocol for addressing Obama in the interim prior to his officially becoming President. However Patrick, I take your well made point. JH.

-plc