Chief justice fumbles oath

Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. glaringly fumbled the administration of the oath of office to President Barack Obama on Tuesday, placing the word "faithfully" at the end of the second phrase of the oath, rather than at the beginning.

Mr. Obama waited for Mr. Roberts to correct himself before proceeding.

Mr. Obama was one of a handful of Democratic senators to vote against Mr. Roberts' confirmation to the high court. Mr. Roberts was nominated as chief justice in 2005 by President George W. Bush.

The oath is written directly into the Constitution and marked the beginning of Mr. Obama's administration.