Was Joe Biden briefly president? Or acting president, but not president?

[Donald Ian Rankin]

I have heard it said that Bush's term officially expired at noon, but Obama's didn't officially begin until after he had finished the oath a few minutes later, making Joe Biden officially president (or possibly just acting president?) for a few minutes in between.

Is that true, or just an urban myth?

[Bucky]

1. No, taking the oath does not confer power. The strike of the clock at 12 does that

The oath is a formality. It is the election, not the ceremony that is the foundation of democratic office.

[DCBob]

7. Correct. Obama/Biden both took power at the same time at 12 noon.

:toast:

[alwysdrunk]

2. No. Joe Biden was Bush VP for a few minutes.

Bush was still president until the oath was over.

[eowyn_of_rohan]

19. That is what I figured, too

Not sure if it is accurate though

[Orangepeel]

3. Not true. Obama became president at noon. The oath is symbolic.

So says the Constitution (and CNN's pop up fact window during the ceremony).

[CaliforniaPeggy]

4. Nope, Biden wasn't president...

Obama became president officially at noon, with or without the oath of office.

The oath is historical, not necessary...

[Clio the Leo]

5. Joe Biden IS the President.....

.... of Sexy Land.

Seriously, the oath is just a formality. Bush's term ended at noon, Obama's began at noon.

(but Joe is still hot)

[Bucky]

6. No

Jill Biden is hot. Joe Biden is just lucky.

[CreekDog]

8. about your signature picture

stop it! :spank:

:rofl:

[Bucky]

10. It's apparently pissing some people off. I feel bad, but it's not truly offensive

It's a transition picture. And it's funny looking. I honestly wasn't trying to equate the two men.

[Clio the Leo]

9. Stop with this drivel now!!!!

JOE BIDEN IS THE HOTTEST VP EVER TIMES FOUR AND ANYONE WHO THINKS OTHERWISE WILL BE SENT TO GITMO POST HASTE!!!!

[Bucky]

11. Ha-ha on you! Gitmo is being shut down... for insufficient sexiness!

Stacking naked prisoners is only sexy to Republicans, apparently. Good liberals only pop boners for liberty.

[Shiver]

12. Jill Biden is the hottest Second Lady ever!

Joe is only sexy by proxy!

[Bucky]

13. You only say that because you never saw Joan Mondale's famous lap dance

And don't even get me started on Marilyn Tucker Quayle's fetishware

[Wetzelbill]

14. your signature picture is going to haunt my dreams

Gee thanks. :)

[Bucky]

15. Sorry

I'm only hanging onto it now cause it nearly got me tombstoned today.

[Wetzelbill]

18. really?

Hell you've been around awhile, I'd think it would take more than that to TS you. But I was just teasing you about it, I wasn't offended or anything. It's a little creepy though, lol.

[JI7]

16. this was something new i learned, they become President based on time, not oath

another example the founding fathers did not want a nation based on religion. the oath and bible or other religious book is symbolic.

[bbernardini]

17. Oddly enough, due to a strange loophole, all three Jonas Brothers were briefly the president.

It's true!