The citizens of Wingnuttia have been all a-twitter for the last two days over the possibility that the flubbing of the presidential oath by Chief Justice John Roberts (accidentally on purpose they believe) meant that Obama was not the president. And wonder of wonders, George W. Bush was still the de facto president. Praise Jesus!
But alas and alack, that pesky old piece of paper called the United States Constitution states otherwise.
Amendment XX
Section 1. The terms of the President and Vice President shall end at noon on the 20th day of January, and the terms of Senators and Representatives at noon on the 3d day of January, of the years in which such terms would have ended if this article had not been ratified; and the terms of their successors shall then begin.
Yes, yes, I know there's that "oath" thing in Article II...
"Before he enter on the Execution of his Office, he shall take the following Oath or Affirmation:
"I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States."
Which seems to imply that the President-elect cannot began the Execution of his Office unless and until the oath is taken. But....
Article 2 of the the United States Constitution prescribes that the President must take the oath "before he enter the Execution of his Office".
The 20th Amendment; however states that the terms of the President and Vice President shall end at noon on the 20th day of January and the terms of their successors shall then begin.
And the oath is not a "booga-booga" magic incantation that has to recited precisely and exactly. The intent and purpose of the oath is to establish the new president's duty and obligation to uphold the Constitution and the laws of the United States.
But just in case, they decided to have a "do-over" last night. But trust me, the citizens of Wingnuttia will claim that every action President Obama took was illegal and non-binding.
Get over it.