Anyone think Robers "flubbed" the oath on purpose?

[President Decider]

I was talking to a few collegues at work, some Dems .... a few Repubs. I was surprised to hear the 2 Repubs say that they thought Roberts "flubbed" the oath on purpose in effort to see if Obama would 1) catch the gaffe and 2) to get him flustered in the biggest moment of his life.

Does anyone else think Roberts has it in him to be this low and dasterdly?

[VAliberal]

1. Maybe I'm paranoid -

but when it was happening that was my first thought; intentionality.

If Roberts did not do it on purpose, he is an absolute idiot on several counts.

[alsame]

2. Roberts was the one who looked like an idiot, so I really doubt it.

[w4rma]

40. You and I and Roberts see with 20 / 20 hindsight. I think right-wing logic fails often. (nt)

[whistle]

3. Yes it was MIHOP

[tekisui]

4. That's ridiculous. Roberts' gaffe will live on past him.

It reveals the hubris and the incompetence of a crony b*sh appointee.

[onehandle]

5. No. He's an idiot. And we're stuck with him for 30+ years. nt

[tekisui]

12. No one knows how long he'll live.

He has a history of seizures. It could be 30, it could be 10.

[polichick]

6. I wouldn't put anything past Republicans after 2000, 2004, the faux war, etc.

[tsuki]

7. He blew his raise. nt

[JuniperLea]

8. He is well known for his photographic...

Steel trap of a memory. He never takes notes, he never carries notes into meetings. He relies solely on his memory skills.

Yes. It was intentional.

[dbonds]

9. I doubt it, it would serve no real purpose other than make Roberts look bad.

[woo me with science]

10. Sometimes a cigar is just a cigar. nt

[liberal N proud]

11. As it was his first time to administer the oath

And it was Obama's first time taking the oath, I will go with stage fright. Both may have been a little nervous.

[ecstatic]

13. I think he did, but when Obama caught him, he felt guilty

and ashamed and apologized.

[Grateful for Hope]

14. No

I think he was more nervous than Obama. I think he felt very badly about what happened (for his own sake, and for Obama's sake).

[LakeSamish706]

15. Whatever the answer to that question might be.... He sure as hell should have...

had a card in the palm of his hand with the oath written on it.

[gauguin57]

16. 1) Obama voted against Roberts confirmation. 2)Roberts coordinated thug protests - 2000 (FL recount)

Roberts got his judgeship from Bush because he helped coordinate all those "let us in" pinheads -- sending them to FLA to help stop the recount in 2000. So, he'll do anything to put Republicans in the ascendency and make Dems look bad.

Obama voted against his confirmation, so he obviously doesn't like the guy.

Even if it wasn't a conscious decision, Roberts probably did it on purpose at least subconsciously.

Well, at least we all know how well THIS joker actually knows the constitution. He is AT THE VERY LEAST guilty of arrogance -- not having the words in front of him like most chief justices do.

Constitution-shredding Bushie. That's all this empty robe is.

[WinkyDink]

52. PARTICULARLY when this Fundie OMITTED the word "faithfully" and then tried to tack it on.

[treestar]

54. Empty Robe

:rofl: I like it!

[stray cat]

17. No - not at all.

[Ian David]

18. John Roberts has Crazy-Jesus-Eyes. I don't believe he can think clearly.

[northernlights]

19. pure nerves

When Obama started in before he stopped, it threw him off balance.

Where I was watching (filled cafeteria at UMA), we all chuckled happily and affectionately toward Obama. Nobody questioned that it was nerves on both their parts. It simply highlighted their humanity.

Even the most experienced of presenters can have moments like that. Anybody involved in any way in the performing arts knows that even the most accomplished slip up now and then.

I think the fuss being made over it is beyond silly...

[Cobalt-60]

20. absolutely yes it was deliberate

Chief Justice of the Supreme Court and I'm expected to believe that he can't memorize a paragraph?
Bull - Sh*t, as my grandfather would say.
I consider it the first of many fifth column moves against Obama.
Of course I could have just been spite, trying to ruin a historic moment.
They don't make mistakes when they're pitching for old money or big business.
Absolutely f*cking yes it was deliberate.

[Teaser]

42. Yes, his plan was to look like a fool forever

.

[Cobalt-60]

51. Another mission accomplished

Well it's history now.
We have bigger fish to fry.

[CreekDog]

21. No, because he quickly corrected himself, saying the oath properly the 2nd time

why would he plan to say it correctly the second time hoping Obama would repeat the first version rather than the second?

this is straining credulity.

you have to believe a series of ridiculous things.

what makes it most unbelievable is this:

1) a meticulous plan was undertaken to produce a result
2) that meticulous plan was not either not executed properly or depended upon Obama doing one of two likely things (saying it correctly or incorrectly). but the chances that he would were no better than 50-50.
3) this meticulous plan would not be caught and corrected (of course it was)

i just hate conspiracy theories that project cunning, devious and smart plans to accomplish something but upon further review, the actions indicate that if there were plans, they weren't smart or executed with any care.

just doesn't make much sense.

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

22. Only The Irrational Or Ignorant.

It's beyond obvious that it was accidental. (Obvious applying only to those of rational mind. Those of irrational or ignorant mind lose the ability to recognize obviousness)

[emilyg]

35. What you said.

[Moochy]

44. "Ability to recognize obviousness"

And yet, tragically, some are born without that ability.

:o

[MikeNearMcChord]

23. No, I will give him the benefit of the doubt

I think he knew how the oath goes, and no doubt may have even practiced it, but he had a senior moment, he may be a conservative Republican at heart, but I don't think he did that with malicious intent. What would he gain from that?

[Rosa Luxemburg]

24. We pay this man a high salary and he should have delivered.

reduce his salary.

[ShortnFiery]

25. Hell, just a few weeks ago Roberts was whining that his salary was not adequate.

Guess NOW is not the time to ask for a raise? :evilgrin:

[Rosa Luxemburg]

26. he should take a long furlough!

[Skip Intro]

27. Yes, I think it was done purposely. I posted a poll here and the results say...

only 19% of DUers (on the board at the time) agreed...

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=4885717&mesg_id=4885717


I didn't see the oath live, but as I read about Roberts' flub here, the first thought that sprang to my mind was that it was part of an effort to leave a question of illegitimacy over Obama's presidency.

[JimGinPA]

28. I Just Think He Was Nervous

I would probably have a hard time reciting my phone number in front of two million people - let alone knowing it was being broadcast around the world.

[RoyGBiv]

29. No ...

I do, however, think he was having an "Oh holy shit this is really happening!" moment that threw him off.

[DesertRat]

30. No, I just think he had major stage fright

He was stupid not to have it written on a card.

[rurallib]

31. Yes.

[emilyg]

32. No.

[Kokonoe]

33. Yes

He also interrupted on purpose.

[Supply Side Jesus]

34. No

and No

[HughMoran]

36. Nah, he's just a dumb nervous kid

Funny that we all initially thought it was Obama who was nervous, but it was actually the idiot Roberts.

[AZBlue]

No, not at all.

[AZBlue]

37. No, not at all.

[President Decider]

38. Roberts has crazy Jesus Lover eyes .....

[Adelante]

39. No

I doubt Roberts would purposely humiliate himself for all time.

[MrMickeysMom]

41. He's just not very worthy as a Justice...

... much less Chief.

Maybe he was even intimidated at the last minute after looking into Obama's eyes and seeing a leader for the first time.

[EraOfResponsibility]

43. Ugh, just REMEMBERING the way he SAID it makes me want to put my fist through a wall

"...President TO the United States faithfully?"

TO the United States??? TO THE UNITED STATES??????!!!!...:grr:


I just wish there was a reset button and we could back and do it again, but we can't :cry:

[sohndrsmith]

45. NO. : ) nt

[sam kane]

46. Give these guys credit for their actions already.

I am so tired of finding excuses for the neocons. From now on they get credit for all meaning to do all of it. Drowning government, and the rest of us in the bathtub, etc.

[relayerbob]

47. No

[Blue_In_AK]

48. No, I don't think so.

[RagAss]

49. Heckuva job Johnny !

[ThisThreadIsSatire]

50. Sure...

Obama voted against his appointment to the Supreme Court...

and now we know why.

[treestar]

53. No, I just think Roberts was rushing it and that it was a duty he

had to do where he didn't really want to do it. So he was getting it overwith and that rushed things.

[pipi_k]

55. Why can't they just accept the fact

that it was a cold day, people were probably very nervous and excited, and let it go at that?

Geez...not everything has some ominous meaning to it....


And I'm not even a fan of Justice Roberts...


sigh...

[earth mom]

56. I think it was sabotage or a power struggle on Roberts part. nt