The Upside of the Swearing-in Do-Over

As most you probably already know, Chief Justice John Roberts muffed the wording of the oath of office when swearing in President Obama; you might also know that various of the nuttier right-wing talking heads have speculated that this might mean that Barack Obama didn't really become president (even though the Constitution stipulates that he automatically became president Tuesday at noon, sworn in or not); and that, just to put the bleating to rest, President Obama and Chief Justice Roberts later did a do-over just to make sure everything was kosher. Perhaps the president believed that in doing so, he'd shut up FOX News.

And here, my friends, is the upside of that:

If BHO still believes the conservative movement leaders and talking heads (as opposed to conservative-minded American citizens) can be good-faith partners in the governing process, and can be productively placated and/or met half way, the fact that the braying will almost certainly, somehow, continue ("He didn't take it the second time with the Bible! He hates the Bible!") may finally convince him of this very, very crucial social fact.

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