Phoenix (CNN) – Joe Arpaio, the sheriff of Maricopa County, Arizona, briefed GOP contender Rick Santorum on his investigation into President Barack Obama's birth certificate, the controversial law enforcement official told reporters Tuesday.
After a speech to a Republican gathering in Phoenix where Santorum appeared earlier in the day, Arpaio explained he wanted to inform the candidate of his investigation "as a matter of fairness in case he wouldn't want me to support him."
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Arpaio said he plans to endorse one of the four remaining GOP candidates in the coming weeks. But the sheriff added he would not make his choice known before he announces the findings of his birth certificate probe at a news conference set for March 1st. This endorsement would be his second in the race; in November 2011, he endorsed then-candidate Rick Perry.
Santorum, he said, seemed to have no problem with the nature of his investigation.
"He had no problems with what I told him that I may be doing," Arpaio told reporters.
The sheriff said he is conducting the investigation after receiving requests from "the tea party."
Arpaio added he believes he is doing the president a favor.
"I really started this on the theory that maybe I could clear this mess up," Arpaio told reporters. "Wouldn't it be nice for me to do that?"
The White House released the president's birth certificate last year. Officials in Hawaii where Obama was born have verified its authenticity.
A federal Department of Justice investigation into Arpaio's office made public in December described "a pervasive culture of discriminatory bias against Latinos at MCSO that reaches the highest levels of the agency."
He dismissed the allegations as a politically-driven "witch hunt."
Also see:
Obama campaign takes a swing at Santorum
From CNN Politics
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Did these gop demons look at themselfs in the mirror? Hell and hate looks right back at them.
He reminds me of Eugene "Bull" Conner of the Birmingham water hoses and dogs history.
This guy and Santorum... Misery LOVES company!
AAAANNNNNNDDDD?
Will it subdue the attacks on the president? Put up or shut up.
who is doing "witch-hunt"? You, right?
Excuse me while I 'throw up'
What a disgusting group of people.It is truly beneath anyone with class.The republican party has become deplorable and bitter and opaque.Heaven help us if any of them are allowed near the white house.
Romney will arrive at the convention without a majority of delegates. So he has to beg the other candidates. But the other candidates will choose another majority candidate - not Romney.
Mr Arpaio is the most racist guy of all. He is trying to bring back the nonsene idea that Obama is not born in America.
In Decemer, I am sure he will understand that he lost his time. Go Obama. We are all daughters and sons of immigrants. If Arpaio was a native Amrirican, I would understand that he want to apologise to people that our ancestrals killed. Peace for everybody my countrymate Arpaio!!!!! Soon after Obama, the next president of the USA will be a Latino.
Romney's delegates loath him. Though pledged, they will still vote for another candidate at the convention.
A news commentator recently said it was wrong to compare one cadidate or another to Hitler.
Somehow this commentator thought if they hadn't "...fired up the ovens yet" it was inappropriate to make the comparison. Really? Do we have the luxury of sitting on the sidelines and waiting for the ovens to be lit?
The intolerance demonstrated by Santorum is monumental and frightening, and his opinions are echoed daily by Arpaio. Undoubtedly Arpaio will endorse Santorum.
Both of these men are extremely dangerous, and any thinking American should fight them whenever and where they can.
And yes, they are fascists.
Please let him endorse Santorum. They are the same: no women rights, no religion freedom, no blacks, no mexicans, no latino, no jews!!! I do believe they both lost in the 18th century thinking.
Arpaio: What will happen if the next President is a Latino, followed by a Jew ?
The Yamasee people been living all over the world for four million years. Said enough.
Having followed this issue for a period of years I have a question. When did Hawaii verify the authenticity of Barack Obama's birth certificate? I can find no article confirming this only articles stating it was confirmed. Anyone have any citations?
Arpaio – by the looks of your face and the content of your ridiculous "investigation" it is clear that you drink too much. Please get help.
The process is simple. If you question 0bama's past or his administration about anything, you are smeared, investigated, discredited, assaulted, ostracized, banned, blocked, kicked and punched. Same tactics that Stalin, Lenin, Hitler, Mao, or any other dictator throughout history has used.
Uh oh, more mess for donald. He will rant that this was his doing.
...I don't even...how much does this cost the state?
Ah, yes, and we're supposed to believe anything this bold-faced bigot has to say. Sorry, I wouldn't believe him if he told me Rick Santorum was a christian.
Arpaio? What the heck kinda weirdo name is that? Don't sound American to me. Where's his long form birth certificate?
How much of taxpayers' money did this investigation take? And his jurisdiction is what, exactly? Good to know that he's spending his time on this.
"He dismissed the allegations as a politically-driven "witch hunt".
*********************
So while this man dismisses the allegations as a politically-driven witch hunt, he is conducting his own witch hunt
against President Obama. The Tea Party asked him to investigate. That's all we need to know.
Never in my lifetime have I ever witnessed such hateful, unjustified accusations, as are being spewed towards
our President. The people who do this are not only filled with malice, they also show the darkest side of
American politics.
President Obama is a good person, working hard to bring America back from the brink of diaster. He does not
deserve the vindictive words thrown at him, almost on an hourly basis now, and I would go so far as to say
he is more of a Christian than any of those who question him.
The people who do this are failures, wrapped in a cloak of self-hate, and can only feel better if they
tear down those who are so far above them in intelligence, compassion, reason, and honesty.
They never have a kind word to say, never acknowledge their own shortcomings, never accept
responsibility for anything.
Be careful America, the Tea Party will be our demise if we let them.
"The White House released the president's birth certificate last year. Officials in Hawaii where Obama was born have verified its authenticity" Please spare us the details(sarc)..A PDF birth cert and 'Officials" said?? That would not hold up in a real court. How bout the same scrutiny per the Senate Resolution for McCain "SB511"?? If the president has nothing to hide why not encourage the SCOTUS hear the case. In stead, we have an arrogant child "what are you going to do to me" in the WH.... Good thing we have the media to really keep the truth from us!!!
►Arpaio: I briefed Santorum on birth certificate investigation◄
You know – I'm SICK and TIRED of these unjust accusations
We got Rev Wright, Muslimism – non-Christian back in the race
The candidates and their followers are really a disgrace!!!
If I say I’m a Christian then a Christian I am
Who are YOU to say I’m something else – Damn!
You SIN then ask for forgiveness and all of a sudden you’re SAVED
Really? That’s what it’s about – Cheat on your wife and your guilt gets waived????
Here we go again – Same subject but three years later
The righteous-RIGHT is once again trying to create a crater
So they can scrape everyone off the Earth into it and bury them alive
Just because they are outside of their beliefs; they should not survive!!
Whew!!! Next it’s the “Blame Game” and the President will be blamed for the gas price being HIGH!!!
Obama 2012 – Why? Because he is a citizen!!!
Continual questionning of President Obama's birth record is consistent with Santorum's understanding of theology,science, government, and womens' rights to health care. He is too extreme for the majority of Americans.
Sheriff Joe and his hatred of Latinos is not going to work well for the Catholic Church and those tithing Latinos.