# Obama not really the President because he didn't really take the Oath **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [January 20, 2009, 6:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-not-really-the-president-because-he-didnt-really-take-the-oath/482167 "2009-01-20T18:26:33Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 6
**Author:** ![Stephe96](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Stephe96](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stephe96)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2009, 1:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-not-really-the-president-because-he-didnt-really-take-the-oath/482167/101 "2009-01-21T01:41:29Z")
> [@Lightnin](#): > > I’d say he’s smart enough. > > [Some other Obama quotes](http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/b/barack_obama.html). > > A few really good ones: > > "Americans… still believe in an America where anything’s possible - they just don’t think their leaders do. " > > "I don’t oppose all wars. What I am opposed to is a dumb war. What I am opposed to is a rash war. " > > "I know my country has not perfected itself. At times, we’ve struggled to keep the promise of liberty and equality for all of our people. We’ve made our share of mistakes, and there are times when our actions around the world have not lived up to our best intentions. " > > "Where the stakes are the highest, in the war on terror, we cannot possibly succeed without extraordinary international cooperation. Effective international police actions require the highest degree of intelligence sharing, planning and collaborative enforcement. " > > "What Washington needs is adult supervision. " These sound scripted. My point was that Obama is a moron without a teleprompter in front of him. I stand by that statement. ---
**Author:** ![MsWhatsit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/eb8c5e/32.png) [@MsWhatsit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MsWhatsit)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2009, 1:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-not-really-the-president-because-he-didnt-really-take-the-oath/482167/102 "2009-01-21T01:45:17Z")
> [@Stephe96](#): > > These sound scripted. My point was that Obama is a moron without a teleprompter in front of him. I stand by that statement. Tee-hee. If Obama says something that sounds intelligent and statesmanlike, “it was just scripted.” If he says something doofy, “it was off-the-cuff.” You guys are so cute when you try to use logic. ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2009, 1:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-not-really-the-president-because-he-didnt-really-take-the-oath/482167/103 "2009-01-21T01:45:25Z")
Those are normal slips of the tongue that all people make. Trying to call Obama stupid just makes YOU look stupid. There’s a difference between making slips of the tongue when you spend two solid years giving hundreds of speeches and interviews and not being able to name a magazine that exists in the world. Of course, this is all just more crybaby snivelling on your part anyway. ---
**Author:** ![Stephe96](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Stephe96](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stephe96)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2009, 1:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-not-really-the-president-because-he-didnt-really-take-the-oath/482167/104 "2009-01-21T01:49:07Z")
> [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](#): > > Those are normal slips of the tongue that all people make. . Riiiiiiight. Saying 10,000 people died in a tornado when the actual death count was 12 is a “normal slip of the tongue?” Uh huh. Sure. When it’s Obama, he was “just tired.” If Bush had said something this stupid, it would’ve been evidence he was an idiot. OK. Got it. ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2009, 1:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-not-really-the-president-because-he-didnt-really-take-the-oath/482167/105 "2009-01-21T01:49:09Z")
> [@Stephe96](#): > > These sound scripted. My point was that Obama is a moron without a teleprompter in front of him. An assertion which is manifestly asinine in light of the actual observable evidence. > [@](#): > > I stand by that statement. Of course you do, you’re a fucking moron. ---
**Author:** ![Man\_With\_a\_Cat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/cab0a1/32.png) [@Man\_With\_a\_Cat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Man_With_a_Cat)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2009, 1:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-not-really-the-president-because-he-didnt-really-take-the-oath/482167/106 "2009-01-21T01:52:02Z")
I thought it was a good speech. Inaugural speeches shouldn’t be point by point laying out of plans. It was a rallying point, a way to get some build up going. It was realistic, it was honest. Essentially, (not real quotes) “hey folks, we’re in the poop. It’s a lot of people’s fault, but it’s going to be everyone to get us out, so hitch up the Wranglers and get to work” which is pretty strong. That’s not any “promise” of hope like a lit of his critics accuse him of - that’s consistent with his election message. I really liked when he spoke to other countries, and delivered the message that whatever Dubya did to make you hate us? It’s over, give us a chance, we’ll be back. Although I’m going to seriously miss the Bushisms, at least I still can pick up the Tribune and get me some Richie Daley. ---
**Author:** ![Frank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Frank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frank)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2009, 1:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-not-really-the-president-because-he-didnt-really-take-the-oath/482167/107 "2009-01-21T01:56:46Z")
> [@Laudenum](#): > > The fat one murdering that song, … Aretha? Are you nuts? ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2009, 1:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-not-really-the-president-because-he-didnt-really-take-the-oath/482167/108 "2009-01-21T01:57:12Z")
> [@Stephe96](#): > > Riiiiiiight. Saying 10,000 people died in a tornado when the actual death count was 12 is a “normal slip of the tongue?” Uh huh. Sure. When it’s Obama, he was “just tired.” If Bush had said something this stupid, it would’ve been evidence he was an idiot. OK. Got it. 10, 000 people were affected. 12 died. It was a small mistake in reading the teleprompter. A lot of Bush’s verbal fuck-ups were of no great importance either, but he had more talent for it, and he never made up for it by showing any kind of obvious intellect or knowledge the way that Obama does (Columbia and Harvard Law…none of it with daddy’s help. Where did you go, DeVrie?). Palin makes W look like a genius, though. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2009, 1:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-not-really-the-president-because-he-didnt-really-take-the-oath/482167/109 "2009-01-21T01:57:40Z")
> [@Stephe96](#): > > Riiiiiiight. Saying 10,000 people died in a tornado when the actual death count was 12 is a “normal slip of the tongue?” Uh huh. Sure. When it’s Obama, he was “just tired.” If Bush had said something this stupid, it would’ve been evidence he was an idiot. OK. Got it. Just admit it was a decent speech, o.k.? No reason to go all nukular about it. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2009, 1:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-not-really-the-president-because-he-didnt-really-take-the-oath/482167/110 "2009-01-21T01:59:33Z")
> [@Frank](#): > > Aretha? Are you nuts? He’s right on this one. I was wincing all through her performance. Definitely the low note of the whole ceremony. Well, one of them. The “poem” blew, too. ---
**Author:** ![Stephe96](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Stephe96](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stephe96)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2009, 2:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-not-really-the-president-because-he-didnt-really-take-the-oath/482167/111 "2009-01-21T02:00:54Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > He’s right on this one. I was wincing all through her performance. Definitely the low note of the whole ceremony. > > Well, one of them. The “poem” blew, too. Obama may have been better off reading one of his own, original poems. Like this one: \* Under water grottos, caverns Filled with apes That eat figs. Stepping on the figs That the apes Eat, they crunch. The apes howl, bare Their fangs, dance, Tumble in the Rushing water, Musty, wet pelts Glistening in the blue.\* Then, again…maybe not!😃 ---
**Author:** ![Antinor01](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecae2f/32.png) [@Antinor01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Antinor01)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2009, 2:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-not-really-the-president-because-he-didnt-really-take-the-oath/482167/112 "2009-01-21T02:04:33Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > He’s right on this one. I was wincing all through her performance. Definitely the low note of the whole ceremony. > > Well, one of them. The “poem” blew, too. I wouldn’t have referred to her as ‘The fat one’, but that was a pretty bad performance. Ms. Franklin has plenty of laurels, based on today it is time for her to rest on them. ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2009, 2:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-not-really-the-president-because-he-didnt-really-take-the-oath/482167/113 "2009-01-21T02:10:29Z")
> [@Stephe96](#): > > Obama may have been better off reading one of his own, original poems. Like this one: You’re like the bitter grace note in the sweet, sweet candy of today. Without this miniscule and almost insignificant bitterness, the sweetness would be almost too much. Thanks, **Stephe**! Daniel ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2009, 2:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-not-really-the-president-because-he-didnt-really-take-the-oath/482167/114 "2009-01-21T02:11:11Z")
One other funny comment I agreed with that the Freepers made. Someone said that Michelle’s ballgown looked like a “wedding cake gone sour.” (She’s normally so stylish-what happened!) ---
**Author:** ![Stephe96](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Stephe96](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stephe96)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2009, 2:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-not-really-the-president-because-he-didnt-really-take-the-oath/482167/115 "2009-01-21T02:22:50Z")
> [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](#): > > You’re like the bitter grace note in the sweet, sweet candy of today. Without this miniscule and almost insignificant bitterness, the sweetness would be almost too much. Thanks, **Stephe**! > > Daniel You’re welcome! But _I_ didn’t write that godawful poem; our new “genius” president did! ---
**Author:** ![Laudenum](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7993a0/32.png) [@Laudenum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Laudenum)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2009, 2:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-not-really-the-president-because-he-didnt-really-take-the-oath/482167/116 "2009-01-21T02:23:18Z")
> [@Frank](#): > > Aretha? Are you nuts? :eek: That was Aretha Franklin?!! Christ, she butchered that song. ---
**Author:** ![Stephe96](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Stephe96](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stephe96)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2009, 2:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-not-really-the-president-because-he-didnt-really-take-the-oath/482167/117 "2009-01-21T02:27:08Z")
> [@Laudenum](#): > > :eek: That was Aretha Franklin?!! > > Christ, she butchered that song. They would’ve been better off with Bleeding Gums Murphy. ---
**Author:** ![Lobohan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lobohan/32/79_2.png) [@Lobohan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lobohan)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2009, 2:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-not-really-the-president-because-he-didnt-really-take-the-oath/482167/118 "2009-01-21T02:31:31Z")
> [@Stephe96](#): > > You’re welcome! But _I_ didn’t write that godawful poem; our new “genius” president did! This is the face of 21st century conservatism. Only the most banal, stupid and hateful are left in the party’s base. ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2009, 2:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-not-really-the-president-because-he-didnt-really-take-the-oath/482167/119 "2009-01-21T02:33:14Z")
> [@Stephe96](#): > > You’re welcome! But _I_ didn’t write that godawful poem; our new “genius” president did! I wonder if you’d submit us to your own college freshmen poetry to show us what they should really look like. Before you do, look at those glass walls around you. Seriously: you provide the contrast, a function for which you’re essential. Keep it up! Daniel ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2009, 2:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-not-really-the-president-because-he-didnt-really-take-the-oath/482167/120 "2009-01-21T02:35:00Z")
> [@Lobohan](#): > > This is the face of 21st century conservatism. Only the most banal, stupid and hateful are left in the party’s base. What’s amazed me lately is listening semi-regularly to Newt Gingrich (Newt Motherfucking Gingrich!) comment on the election, and thinking that Newt fertheloveaChrist Gingrich was sounding **rational**. Maybe he’s mellowed. Maybe I’ve mellowed. Maybe the Republican Party has degenerated so far over the last eight years that Newt NoI’mreallynotshittingyou Gingrich sounds reasonable compared to the current crop of leadership. Daniel [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-not-really-the-president-because-he-didnt-really-take-the-oath/482167.md?page=5) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-not-really-the-president-because-he-didnt-really-take-the-oath/482167.md?page=7)