Opinion
Hardly a flaw of biblical proportions
By: Ken Garcia
Examiner Staff Writer
01/21/09 2:22 PM PST
As if the talking heads didn't have enough to chew on during the inauguration, Chief Justice John Roberts' flub of the Constitution gave them their biggest chunk. Some have openly wondered now whether President Barack Obama should have a "re-do'' and take the oath again.Hey, why not do the whole inauguration over? Who doesn't like to party?
Sorry, but this is one fearless prognostication that deserves to be feared. Besides, every presidency is flawed - why not toss a mistake off right off the bat.
For starters, while some "experts'' have said that the formality of the swearing-in is historic - it's really more of a formality. Obama officially became president at noon under the Constitution - and that was before he was actually sworn in.
And though it's always nice to have the top justice in the country handle the chore, it's not even necessary. Calvin Coolidge's father presided over one of his son's two oaths. And the wording can be optional - Franklin Pierce chose to affirm rather than swear because of his objection to swearing as cited in the Gospel of Matthew.
So maybe we should leave any re-dos to Michelle Obama - who can pick out a new swank outfit for the big event.
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