Two men stand across from each other, with only a podium, a proud wife, and a Bible between them. Their right hands raised, with one's left placed on that Bible.
In less than 30 seconds, the recitation of 39 words offered by the Chief Justice of the United States** changes the course of American history. The man opposite of the robed Justice is quietly transformed from an "ordinary" citizen to the most powerful person on Earth.
"I do solemnly swear 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, (so help me God.)"
The phrase "so help me God" is not included in Article II, Section I of our Constitution. George Washington added it when taking the oath for his first term, and all presidents since have repeated it.
Today a relatively young Chief Justice offered that phrase as a question, "so help you God?", to which an equally young man affirmed "so help me God."
Then three more words, and a handshake from the Justice, "Congratulations, Mister President."
Wow. Just wow.
And even more wow is that only 44 men in all of history have done that, and every single one did so under peaceful circumstances.
No matter who bears the title "Mister President", the events surrounding the granting of that appellation give us pause to consider that our transition is practically rare in this world.
39 words is all it takes.....
**Note: there is no requirement that the Chief Justice of the United States administer the oath. In fact, anyone authorized and capable of administering an oath may do so for the President. U.S. District Court judges have administered the oath. The politically/legally least significant person to ever administer the oath was a Notary Public, John C. Coolidge, to his son, Calvin Coolidge at the senior Mr. Coolidge's home in Vermont upon receiving news of Warren G. Harding's death.**
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