Roberts' Oath Flub Trips Up Obama

New president shows ability to think on his feet
By Nick McMaster,  Newser Staff
Posted Jan 20, 2009 12:25 PM CST

Chief Justice John Roberts' first attempt at administering the presidential oath of office didn't go as swimmingly as the chief justice might have liked, reports the Wall Street Journal. Roberts left out "faithfully" where the Founding Fathers wrote it—“that I will faithfully execute the office of president to the United States”—and instead stuck it at the end.

The confusion caused a little stutter-step in the administration of the 35-word oath. Obama didn't help matters by stepping over Roberts' lines, notes Dahlia Lithwick in Slate. "Between both of them trying to lead, and both graciously attempting to follow, it was a performance worthy of the very first round of Dancing With the Stars, writes Lithwick. (More President Obama stories.)

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