Yes, even Barack Obama can make a mistake

He said:

My fellow citizens:

I stand here today humbled by the task before us, grateful for the trust you have bestowed, mindful of the sacrifices borne by our ancestors. I thank President Bush for his service to our nation, as well as the generosity and cooperation he has shown throughout this transition.

Forty-four Americans have now taken the presidential oath. The words have been spoken during rising tides of prosperity and the still waters of peace. Yet, every so often the oath is taken amidst gathering clouds and raging storms. At these moments, America has carried on not simply because of the skill or vision of those in high office, but because we the people have remained faithful to the ideals of our forebears, and true to our founding documents.

Except he’s wrong, as are any number of other commentators who made a similar statement today. Forty-three Americans have now taken the presidential oath, though Obama is considered to hold the 44th presidency, and is regularly referred to as the 44th president. And, no, I’m not claiming it’s because Obama isn’t really a real American or some simlar lunacy.

Instead, it’s because Grover Cleveland did something no other person has done: served two non-consecutive terms (with Bejamin Harrison serving a term in-between), and so is counted as both the 22nd and 24th presidents.

Forty-four presidents … but only forty-three people have sworn the oath.

Of course, I assume Obama knows that, but one’s inaugural address isn’t the place for a history lesson (though, upon consideration, I can imagine Al Gore explaining it all to us). But … does that mean … if he did know, does that make him a liar, only two paragraphs into his presidency? (Aha! Film at 11! Double dittos! Next up on the O’Reilly Factor — Barack Obama: Threat or Menace or Just Confused With Numbers?)

And so it goes.