Not Really the President

By BJ

Say what you will about American politics, they are rarely boring. Less than 24 hours into the new administration and we've already got people questioning Obama's legitimacy because of the slightly-flubbed oath.

Several constitutional lawyers said President Obama should, just to be safe, retake the oath of office that was flubbed by Chief Justice John Roberts.

. . .

A do-over "would take him 30 seconds, he can do it in private, it's not a big deal, and he ought to do it just to be safe," said Boston University constitutional scholar and Supreme Court watcher Jack Beermann. "It's an open question whether he's president until he takes the proper oath."

Over at Balloon Juice, DougJ saw this coming:

Clearly, this means that the inauguration is not valid according to a strict interpretation of Article 5 of the Constitution. I believe that, technically, this means that Ted Stevens is now acting president “until such time as the oath is properly administered”.

And will we ever really know if Obama retook the oath, saying it properly this time, in private? Looks like we'll have to have a do-oer of the entire inauguration, just to be on the safe side. Otherwise, Obama won't really be US President.

Of course, this begs the question of whether or not Obama can actually be impeached if it isn't really the President. Better get some constitutional scholars, or at least those claiming to be, right on that burning question immediately.

Comments

[Nikki]

The inauguration? Why not have a do-over of the entire election?! After all...isn't that what we REALLY want?

[Big Bud Good]

It certainly does not beg the question. I question whether the writer in fact knows what "begs the question" really means. If you don't know it, then don't use it.

[BJ Bjornson]

Well, the writer could definitely use an editor and grammar coach at times, but such is the nature of blogging that you often hit the post button without the benefit of either, (or even time to revise the draft). If you don't like it, then don't read it.