White House releases Obama's birth certificate
(CNN) - President Obama released his original birth certificate Wednesday, saying the controversy surrounding the issue had become a "sideshow."
“We do not have time for this kind of silliness. We’ve got better stuff to do," said Obama.
The surprise release follows recent and sustained remarks by businessman Donald Trump, among others, that raised doubts as to whether the president was born in the United States.
“Over the last two and half years, I have watched with amusement. I have been puzzled with the degree with which this thing just kept going,” Obama told reporters Wednesday.
Responding to the development, Trump said, "I have accomplished something nobody else has accomplished."
"I want to look at it, but I hope it’s true," he told reporters in New Hampshire. "He should have done it a long time ago. I am really honored to have played such a big role in hopefully getting rid of this issue."
Earlier Wednesday, White House Communications Director Dan Pfeiffer said the debate has been "really bad for the Republican Party."
The so-called "birther" debate is "good politics" but "bad for the country," said Pfeiffer.
In an interview with CNN's Anderson Cooper Monday, Trump repeated his doubts and said he had been told the certificate was "missing."
A new CNN investigation revealed earlier this week what most analysts have been saying since the "birther" controversy erupted during the 2008 presidential campaign: Obama was born in Hawaii on August 4, 1961.
While the president has made light of the controversy, the question remained political red meat for some of his critics. A recent CNN/Opinion Research Corp. poll showed that nearly 75% of Americans believe Obama was definitely or probably born in the United States. More than four in 10 Republicans, however, believe he probably or definitely was not born in America.
See Obama's Certification of Live Birth
The U.S. Constitution says only "natural born" citizens can become president - a vague clause that some members of the birther movement contend disqualifies Obama because, they insist, he was born outside the United States.
Skeptics contend, among other things, that Obama was born in his father's home country of Kenya.
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'Well it was about time im sure its fake as im also sure somebody has already said. lol
Now that Donald Adolf Trump has been totally discredited as a human being and political aspirant he now becomes a viable Republican candidate. Obviously, he'll take credit but he'll also call into question the validity of Obama's document – cuz thats what Republicants do!
I guarantee this will NOT help. Remember that part of the "controversy" is that his dad was essentially British. (Just like our Founding Fathers, FYI). The Birthers also claim that he is ineligible because of that.
Plus, I'm sure they'll find something wrong with the long form version as well. You just can't please some people.
I'm sure the birthers will not be satisfied. They will ask for independent labs to test the authenticity of the paper, ink and the maker of the typewriter used to write the certificate. If the original typewriter can't be found, that will be the problem.
LindaB Sorry Linda, but you don't speak for ALL Americans.
it is a fake
The father has the same name as his son? No wonder. I think that's what's causing all the confusion.
Wow, it sure took his team a long time to 'produce' this one...
"I wonder what them hicks will say now"
They'll say, "You idiots still voted a guy in who is out to destroy America." That's what, Vlad.
Hey hillbillies, will you now puleeeeeeeeeeeeeese SHUT UP!!
It probably took so long because his mom had it in a lockbox somewhere and couldn't find the key until now. That's what would happen if I were president.
Trump is not a billionaire. I like to see his bank balance and lists of his ass*ets !
I love this quote from the writer of the article
"The U.S. Constitution says only "natural born" citizens can become president – a vague clause"
Yea, I see how that can be confusing, what an idiot. At least now maybe this will go away.
They shouldn't have done it and let the birthers continue. It made Trump and others look like idiots that they are. The controversy was hurting the Republicans more than anyone else. The birthers will now move on to some else equally brilliant, like "yeah, but why don't you release your kindergarten grades? Is it because they reveal that you worship satan?"
Was that so hard?
wait, am i the only one who didn't know barack was actually "junior"?? i wonder if he also had a dog named indiana...
How hard was that to accomplish? Why didn't you just release your records long ago and be done with the entire mess/
Quit wasting our time Mr. Transparency. Get it done, get it in the open, and move on.
I didn't care a hoot in he'll where he was born. He was the least qualified of everyone that ran in '08 and he has proven it. It wouldn't matter to me. He still doesn't get my vote. Stand me up against the wall, blindfold me and give me a smoke but he'll never get my vote!
A. No need to see his birth certificate. B. His father was not a US citizen. C. His mother was too young to convey US citizenship to him. D. He is not a natural born US Citizen. E. He is not qualified to be President. F. He is holding office illegally. G. All of his actions in office are null and void.
Sorry, doing this 2 years after being elected means this is a fraud document. If it existed it would have been produced before the terrorist Hussein Obama took office.
I am pretty sure most people know this is a fake document produced by the left, at least the more intelligent conservatives know, you moron doosh bag liberals have no clue and think it is real.
Whine all you want... I have managed to hold onto my job, my 401k is up almost 70%, I'm even able to manage to do some part time consulting on the side. All since Obama took office and in spite of how Bush left it. I realize that some people are having a hard time of it, but you won't convince me that Bush or McCain wouldn't have continued to make it worse. Now if I could only make it into the 45% of you who don't pay any taxes.......
Brought to you by the same crew that gave us the Dan Rather Bush memo.
'That automatically disqualifies him under the 'Natural Born Citizen' clause put forward under the 'Law of Nations', per our Founding Fathers. Look it up'
Far more impressive legal minds than yours state you are incorrect, sorry.
how tea party, taxed enough already relates to racisim is beyond me, it's talking points for the commies on the left...we dont just need to clean house in government, we gotta get these commies social suck off's outa here also.
Lame. He will not get a second term and that's what this issue is about. He has simply failed on too many levels.