Political Hotsheet
By

Mark Knoller /

CBS News/ March 13, 2009, 10:09 AM

Another Oath Fumble — And Another Sheriff In Town

(AP)

What is it with this administration's top officials that they have so much trouble taking an oath of office?

We heard another fumble again this morning at the ceremonial swearing-in for Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis.

Vice President Joe Biden administered the oath – reading it from a card. Solis repeated line after line until Biden said: "...of the office upon which I'm about to enter."

Solis, obviously nervous, said "...upon which the office I'm about to enter."

Close – but no cigar.

Today's swearing-in was for show only. She was sworn-in for real the day of her Senate confirmation February 24th.

In her remarks, Solis served notice that she aims to be protector-in-chief of the nation's workers.

"To those who have for too long abused workers, put them in harms way, denied them fair pay – let me be clear: there is a new sheriff in town."

Her audience of department employees responded with a standing ovation.

Earlier, Biden took a veiled swipe at Solis' predecessor Elaine Chao – who served as labor secretary throughout the Bush Administration.

Again and again, he said Hilda Solis will demand to be heard. "Why do I repeat that phrase," he asked, "We have not heard much from this department in a long time."

As for being sheriff, not only does Solis claim title to that role, but last week, President Obama pinned a rhetorical badge on Biden – assigning him the task of overseeing expenditures from the $787-billion economic stimulus package.

"To you, he's Mr. Vice President, but around the White House, we call him the sheriff," said Mr. Obama.

It seems this town is big enough for two sheriffs.


(CBS)
Mark Knoller is a CBS News White House correspondent. You can read more of his posts in Hotsheet here.
© 2009 CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved.
7 Comments Add a Comment
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toolmangler-2009 says:
This whole adminisration is a bummbled joke. Bidden the sheriff, President Pelosi, side kick VP Reid, Tax crook Geithner,and the list just keeps going. Who was the guy that got elected anyway,a mouthpeice?
Posted by specialty8 at 8:59 AM : Mar 13, 2009




You need more help in talking and spelling than they do
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ptyoungthang says:
The other reasons why repugs should not form their lips to talk about a gaffe- EVER!!!

4) "They misunderestimated me." ?Bentonville, Ark., Nov. 6, 2000

3) "Rarely is the questioned asked: Is our children learning?" ?Florence, S.C., Jan. 11, 2000

2) "Our enemies are innovative and resourceful, and so are we. They never stop thinking about new ways to harm our country and our people, and neither do we." ?Washington, D.C., Aug. 5, 2004

1) "There's an old saying in Tennessee ? I know it's in Texas, probably in Tennessee ? that says, fool me once, shame on ? shame on you. Fool me ? you can't get fooled again." ?Nashville, Tenn., Sept. 17, 2002

Mark - thanks for giving me the opportunity to spend a few minutes reminding the repugs of how idiotic they are. We can always count on you for an article with no substance.

Becoming quite the habit for you huh?
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ptyoungthang says:
Are you sleezy repugs kidding me???? Cant you read- she was already sworn in on 2/24, she doesnt need a do-over. You call this a bungle - well let me refresh your "selective" memories.

Top 10 Bush gaffe's

10) "Families is where our nation finds hope, where wings take dream." ?LaCrosse, Wis., Oct. 18, 2000

9) "I know how hard it is for you to put food on your family." ?Greater Nashua, N.H., Jan. 27, 2000

8) "I hear there's rumors on the Internets that we're going to have a draft." ?second presidential debate, St. Louis, Mo., Oct. 8, 2004

7) "I know the human being and fish can coexist peacefully." ?Saginaw, Mich., Sept. 29, 2000

6) "You work three jobs? ? Uniquely American, isn't it? I mean, that is fantastic that you're doing that." ?to a divorced mother of three, Omaha, Nebraska, Feb. 4, 2005

5) "Too many good docs are getting out of the business. Too many OB-GYNs aren't able to practice their love with women all across this country." ?Poplar Bluff, Mo., Sept. 6, 2004
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cbs4me3 says:
Not even close. It must be done over. Are there classes for oath giving and taking that can be given pro bono to this administration?
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renojmc says:
Incompetent democrats - a redundant phrase.
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gunownerdan says:
Since dirty democrats and rotten republicans seem to hate the constitution so much I guess it would be hard to take an oath to protect it.
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specialty8 says:
This whole adminisration is a bummbled joke. Bidden the sheriff, President Pelosi, side kick VP Reid, Tax crook Geithner,and the list just keeps going. Who was the guy that got elected anyway,a mouthpeice?
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