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Oath Flub merits a do-over, scholars say
San Francisco Chronicle ^ | 1/20/2009 | Carolyn Lochhead

Posted on 01/20/2009 10:45:44 PM PST by America2012

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To: EternalVigilance

Actually, isn’t it the 20th amendment to the Constitution that makes the swearing-in a formality? The office changes hands at noon regardles of what the incoming president says or does. So calling the swearing-in a “formality” is actually a strict interpretation of the Constitution.

I don’t have a problem with that, but do wish that the Dem voters would show a little more class and respect for tradition.


61 posted on 01/21/2009 9:26:01 AM PST by Shigarian
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To: visualops

she is the kind of person who is a know it all, and she was caught not knowing damn thing.


62 posted on 01/21/2009 9:29:20 AM PST by television is just wrong
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To: LibertyRocks

yeah, it was.


63 posted on 01/21/2009 9:29:47 AM PST by television is just wrong
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To: Shigarian

No amendment can make an oath sworn before God into a mere formality.

God is watching and listening.


64 posted on 01/21/2009 9:36:10 AM PST by EternalVigilance (God is watching and listening.)
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To: El Gato

My experience is that inductees hold up their hands and move their lips. Obama did that. In any case, the principle behind fixed terms that they expire, that the office is vacated at that point and that the duly elected person holds the office from that point in time unless he chooses to resign.


65 posted on 01/21/2009 10:37:37 AM PST by RobbyS (ECCE homo)
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To: EternalVigilance

The President does not necessarily give an oath. He can just affirm his intention.


66 posted on 01/21/2009 10:42:52 AM PST by RobbyS (ECCE homo)
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To: America2012
Does this mean Barry is still not the President and Biden is Acting-President?

He's president. But the legality of his actions could be challenged since the Constitution says he must take the oath before exercising the duties of President. What we need not is a lawsuit. Paging Mr. Berg, Mr. Philip Berg. Please call your office.

67 posted on 01/21/2009 10:45:35 AM PST by Non-Sequitur
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To: RobbyS

I have no idea what that means. An oath is required, and an oath is binding before God and man.


68 posted on 01/21/2009 10:47:43 AM PST by EternalVigilance (God is watching and listening.)
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To: EternalVigilance

I don’t think Hoover swore an oath, because he was a Quaker. Art VI forbids any religious test, and it would be pointless to ask an atheist to take an oath.
I think the constitution says,” I solemnly swear (or affirm)....”


69 posted on 01/21/2009 10:52:21 AM PST by RobbyS (ECCE homo)
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To: RobbyS

Either way, he is bound to follow the Constitution.

We’re dealing with something here that is at the very heart of our form of republican self-government. The failure to keep the oath of office is at the core of why the country is going down. And practically our entire legal and political elite are the guilty parties in this regard.


70 posted on 01/21/2009 11:14:44 AM PST by EternalVigilance (God is watching and listening.)
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To: RobbyS
In any case, the principle behind fixed terms that they expire, that the office is vacated at that point and that the duly elected person holds the office from that point in time unless he chooses to resign.

I guess you onlly respect *parts* of the Constitution then. The Constitution commands that the oath be taken before entering into the office.

But the inductees also sign the oath, do they not? I know officers do, since I did, and I checked to see if they still do. Do we expect less of the President than of a new shavetail/butter bar?

71 posted on 01/21/2009 11:53:41 AM PST by El Gato ("The Second Amendment is the RESET button of the United States Constitution." -- Doug McKay)
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