The Presidential Oath of Office

There was some minor stumbling during the swearing-in of Barack Obama today during the recitation of the Oath of Office. The important aspect to notice is the wording of the oath:

"I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my Ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States."

President Bush often stated that he took an oath to defend the United States or the people of the United States. That's not quite correct. The fundamental role of the President is not to defend the people, but to defend their Constitutional rights. Lives may be lost; territory might even be lost. The President has to defend the Constitution. This must never be forgotten.