Pres. Obama responded graciously, acknowledging that both he and the Chief Justice made their mistakes.  And indeed, NBC’s Pete Williams, analyzing things at First Read this morning, points out that it was Obama who goofed first, “jump[ing] in before the ‘do solemnly swear’ phrase,” which in turn seemed to throw Justice Roberts off.  But that didn’t stop Roberts for pinning the rap entirely on John Roberts . . .

ROBIN ROBERTS: During the taking the oath of office, Chief Justice Roberts inadvertently switched some words up.  You were trying to help him out there.

BARACK OBAMA: Listen, I think, we were up there, we’ve got a lot of stuff on our mind, and he actually I think helped me out on a couple stanzas there, so, overall I think it went relatively smoothly and I’m very grateful to him.

Of all the morning show folks, Roberts seems the most overtly enthused about the new president.  Check out the GMA co-anchor literally bouncing in her seat, exclaiming how she was “so excited, so excited, so excited” as then Pres.-elect Obama began his journey to DC a couple weeks ago.

Note: Roberts apparently felt obliged to state that in switching a couple words, Justice Roberts had acted “inadvertently.”  I imagine there are those out there on the paranoid left who suspect a diabolical plot by an appointee of the evil George W. Bush to spoil the occasion.