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.
From CNN Politics
- Untitled
- 10 Cards Charging 0% Interest Until 2024
- Exclusive: Communications between Stormy Daniels and Trump attorney turned over to Manhattan DA
- Former Florida lawmaker pleads guilty in Covid-19 loan fraud case
- Untitled
- Justice Department convinces federal judge Trump used his attorney in furtherance of a crime in classified docs probe
Sadly, this won't stop the die hard conspiracy theorists from continuing to spew their garbage. This whole thing has been completely insulting from the beginning. Show me where any previous President was ever subjected to this type of humiliation. Like him or not, he is the President of the United States and is due the proper respect that titled commands of the citizens of this country. Today should be the end of all of this ridiculous speculation about where he was born, but it won't be because people are too ignorant to see the truth even when it is right in front of them.
Just like the UFO conspiracy, this will never stop. People will believe what they want to believe and nothing can stop them from believing.
Yep, here we go, lets turn this into a battle in a fake vs real.. why did it take 3 years to even show it to the people that mattered??
Why didn't he show it when asked which was required by McCain? Why did he wait almost an entire term to produce it? Why did it take a Donald Trump crazy type to get him to come up with it? By the way I just want someone in office who loves this country. I have lost family members Dem and Republicans in the military conflicts to preserve the rights of the constitution. I don't care if the next President is either party. I just want a God fearing, flag loving, country protecting, job creating, Israel blessing President !
As a conservative I've always thought this controversy hurt the conservative cause. I think Obama made a big strategic mistake in releasing this document; you should never interrupt while your enemy while he's making a mistake. But finally and thank God! Now hopefully we can focus on all the real reasons this guy is unfit to be president as opposed to this idiotic "birther" red herring.
1 – I do not feel like an idiot.
2 – Obama: "We have important this to do." AND WE HAVE NOT FOR THE LAST TWO YEARS?!?!?!
3 – Why won't the left reasonably, honestly these answer me two questions: Why spend all that money? Why waste so much time and public credibility? I have not received any answer to those two questions that failed to include irrational abuse and ad hominem attacks
This is an open display of racism. Let's get beyond this and let the President do the job the majority elected him to do. Trump and other critics need to get away from this and show some respect!
While I do believe that Obama was born in Hawaii, I find it extremely humorous that the Liberals believe in a 9-11 conspiracy but yet the gov't is too inept to be able to forge some documents to have it appear he was born in Hawaii.
Responding to the development, Trump said, "I have accomplished something nobody else has accomplished. I became head court jester for the birther movement and once again managed to prove what a baffoon I am." When asked for comment, Trump's hair said it was very embarrassing having to go around with such a fool stuck to its bottom.
America...the world who once laughed with you, now laughs at you.
The President claims this has all been nonsense about the birth certificate. What I don't understand, is why he waited 3 years to produce the copy????? He himself could have alleviated all this mess a long time ago by simply providing the certificate.
1. I don't know why it was so hard to just show this from the beginning or why it wasn't required when he put his name on the ticket...ALL candidates should have to provide proof of US birth before running for president.
2. All of this won't matter when he is voted out in 2012. It will be a flash in the pan and the issue will be "trumped" by the way he continued to allow this country to fall into disarray...regardless of birth.
3. Conspiracy "nuts" have exposed MANY a government coverup. I would rather they keep digging than be like some of you sheep that will believe it's raining simply because the guy behind you, pissing on your back, tells you so. Those people are the "nuts" to me.
no doubt about birth certificate who fake is Obama,they switch the samples that Obama looks much older than 50
“We do not have time for this kind of silliness." It was a valid question that deserved an answer when it was originally asked. Why this simple thing took so long is the real silliness.
Now they'll start demanding his 'permanent record' from high school
LOL. I love the responses here so much. "Yea, that's right, Tea Party."
Ummm....If it was no big deal, why did it take him so long to show everybody and LIE about it. "It's missing, it's missing..." Liars.
Speaking of conspiracy theorists...I'm pretty sure 99% of those nutjobs are on the left side (9/11 conspiracy ring a bell?)
"Greatest president..." No wonder our country is in the toilet if this idiot is our best president. He hasn't accomplished one single thing he said he would. Has anyone else seen "the change" he was bringing. It's nowhere to be found. He's a fake and a phony. All he is good at is being black and being a charismatic speaker.
if mine looked that good I would be about 2 years old please........
I'm so glad Obama finally did this. I'm so sick of this birther debate; it was funny at first but turned annoying really fast. I can't believe what some people will try to pull these days.
Nice, when can we expect to see this important document in the Smithsonian?
I think it's sad that "THE PRESIDENT" of the United States had to succumb to low sleazy tactics such as this. We have to many other issues locally and globally to contend with. People forget it is God who takes up and takes down. So, God a...llowed him to be put in place as the leader of this country..It's our responsibility to pray for him and not beat him down. Psalm 75:7 “But God is the judge: he putteth down one, and setteth up another.”
This puts the issue to bed for all but die-hard racist morons. Watch carefully those that continue to quack like a duck.
If any of you think that this will make all the "crazies" go away, guess again. They are here to stay. Just wait.
Its already greatly moderated.
It's about time. When we apply for a replacement drivers license or submit to an IRS audit, we have to supply documentation that is insane. If you are so arrogant and condescending that you can't follow your own government's rules to run for President, then why did you take the oath of office in the first place? What took you so long to have an aide produce your birth certificate? Don't insult us with sly, political accusations against the one man who caused you to step up and accept your responsibility to the American people. We ALL have busy days. You are not the only American with a schedule and fires to put out.
I find it humorous and quite sad; that the author of this article being American, would consider our President being natural born as a "vague" reference. Wow! Now I have read it all! This vague part of the Constitution (which everybody in this regime) is so eager to change. Is the very thing that affords you a place to live, safety, and a lifestyle. This Constitution is what makes this country great! We don't need to change....YOU ALL DO! I find it interesting that he has a step-cousin in Kenya...who happens to be one of my Skype buddies. And he openly admitted that they celebrate him there....I wonder. I wonder why when they called our fearless leader out on the birth certificate, why he couldn't produce it with nothing to hide. I wonder why with his hat in the ring (once a again for President) why he is just now showing us. I wonder how it got lost, since I am able to produce mine in a couple of days. Why does he need 4 more years to complete his agenda? What is he trying to accomplish? He ran on a change ticket...but the only thing that has changed is that he is trying to weaken our nation. But there is a person bigger than him....His Name is JESUS CHRIST. And he will reign supreme in this country!