You could tell the exact moment John Roberts stumbled.

[Stoic]

When Obama said "Barack Hussein Obama" you could hear Roberts hesitate and it went downhill from there.

Heehee, it must have been the sound of thousands of wingnut heads exploding.

[smalll]

1. Yes, but --

it was clearly Roberts' error, but it was inadvertently assisted by Obama at the very point you mention. Roberts was supposed to say "I, Barack Hussein Obama do solemnly swear" but Barack made the minor flub of repeating "I, Barack Hussein Obama" BEFORE Roberts could get to "do solemnly swear." That's what really threw Roberts off the rails. Roberts has no excuse - he SHOULD have had the text there before him, but he had a typical Bushite arrogance: he's used to taking in front of dozens, or even a couple hundred people. And remember, he could deal with small numbers like that, and even TV cameras - he "performed" well at the Judiciary Committee in his recent appointment. But suddenly facing living breathing millions of people on The Mall, this practiced public speaker lost his nerve.

[imaginary girl]

2. But Roberts paused slightly after saying Obama's name,

which is, I think, what caused Barack to jump in there. It wasn't a large pause, but it seems pronounced to me.

[gristy]

4. Yes he did pause there. Roberts was already racking his brain trying to remember the next 30 words,

and it was that pause that caused Obama to jump in, and the rest was all downhill from there.

[Eurobabe]

7. I thought Roberts was just being malicious

like HUSSEIN is supposed to skeer the people one last time. :eyes: :eyes: :sarcasm:

Roberts is a MORON, like the MORON who appointed him. EPIC FAIL.

[smalll]

5. You're right on that. There was a brief pause from Roberts after saying B.H.O. before he continued.

That tempted Barack to jump in early.

[WinkyDink]

15. Precisely. ROBERTS PAUSED.

[discopants]

8. First line in *'s oath in 2005 was his name only

second line is "Do solemnly swear"
check the Youtube.

If Rehnquist had it correct in 2005, then so did Obama yesterday..

[Shiver]

17. Rehnquist would practice it for hours

in the days leading up to the swearing-in, making sure he had every nuance right. I read an article about it the other day, in (I think) USA Today. He'd get s eager on inauguration day he'd show up hours in advance, and someone would have to play Scrabble or something with him to keep him in his seat.

Wonder if I can find that article, it was pretty interesting...

[gristy]

3. I also heard a split-second hesitation at the end of

"I, Barack Hussein Obama, do solemnly swear..."

These hesitations lead me to believe that Roberts already knew he couldn't quite remember the whole thing. He was so amped and so nervous, he just blurted it out the best he could. Stevens was a pro when he gave Biden his oath. He read it.

[BeyondGeography]

6. He just brain-farted the second phrase because he didn't use notes

"that I will faithfully execute the office of President of the United States," became, "that I will execute the office of President to the United States faithfully." Barack basically said :wtf: and that was that.

[Josh]

10. What's amusing is that the *mistake* is actually correct

"Faithfully execute" is a split infinitive. The adverb should always follow the verb. Just like "to boldly go where no man" etc is also a split infinitive, and therefore technically incorrect.

:)

[Manifestor_of_Light]

9. That is my theory.

He heard the "Hussein" and his circuits shorted out, due to the shock of hearing that word.

Freepers, suck it!!!

[Frank Cannon]

11. He sensed a great disturbance in the Dark Side of the Force

As if millions of Cheetoh-stained mouths cried out in terror from their mother's basements, then were suddenly silenced.

[bunkerbuster1]

12. K&R'd.

Your post, that is. Brilliant.

[treestar]

13. It looked to me like Obama thought his name would be the first

pause - he started saying, I, Barack Hussein Obama while Roberts went on with do solemnly swear - I'd like to check out Chimp and Clinton, etc., swearings in to see if the first break was always at the end of the name.

[BeyondGeography]

14. Here's a clip of every President since FDR taking the oath

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tQhWtRW-KKA

The justices almost always do the initial break the way Roberts did. But you'll also notice other Presidents (Bush 41, Clinton), were tempted to jump in at the mention of their name, though not as forcefully as Barack did.

The clips are also interesting as there is apparently no set way to administer the oath, which is absurd when you think of its importance. Most justices follow a certain pattern, but not all. After this screw-up, I think everyone will be more careful, justices and Presidents alike.

[treestar]

18. Amazing that they don't rehearse it once or decide on that stuff

Probably they think it's so simple they don't need to.

Thanks for the link!

[treestar]

19. It looks like FDR just recited it

Maybe that's the better way to do it.

[BeyondGeography]

20. As long as you can recite like FDR

;)

[WinkyDink]

16. JR = The Oaf of Office.