Politics

Obama to match FDR's record of 4 swearing-ins

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama is poised to match Franklin Roosevelt's record of being sworn in as the nation's leader four times.

While FDR served four terms, Obama is getting double swearing-in ceremonies for each of his two terms. He's planning a private oath at the White House on Jan. 20, when the Constitution requires that his second term begin. But since presidential inaugurations are not traditionally on Sundays, his public swearing-in is scheduled Jan. 21.

In 2009, Obama had a do-over of his oath the day after Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts accidentally mixed up the words in the public ceremony. Presidential Inaugural Committee chief executive Steve Kerrigan pointed out the tie at a briefing Wednesday, and the historical distinction was confirmed by the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies.

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