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Days after Pilgrim answered them, Dobbs claims Obama birth certificate "questions won't go away"

July 20, 2009 8:52 pm ET

From the July 20 edition of CNN's Lou Dobbs Tonight:

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Previously:

CNN's Pilgrim refutes Dobbs on Dobbs over birth certificate

Dobbs repeatedly makes Obama birth certificate claims his CNN colleagues call "total bull"

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    • Author by jjamele2880 (July 20, 2009 8:55 pm ET)
      8 2
      "Questions won't go away?" Well, so what? Why is it news that a handful of clueless, sore-loser, bitter-enders refuse to accept Obama's presidency as legitimate? Why do they deserve continued "news" coverage?

      I know a lot of people, including myself, who never accepted Bush's 2000 "victory" as legitimate. I don't recall people who believed, like I did, that Bush stole the election getting this kind of airtime nine months after the fact. And there is NOTHING to this Obama birth certificate nonsense- NOTHING.
      Report Abuse
      • Author by 1st Republic 14th Star (July 20, 2009 9:04 pm ET)
        5 1
        Far from having the "questions won't go away" flames fanned by the media in 2000, they first all but demanded that Gore end his fight for a Florida recount, and gave credence to every Republican talking point, right up to the time that Bush was sworn in. Then they buried the story of the media consortium's recount in 2001, which demonstrated that if there had been a recount in Florida, Gore would have won no matter the standard. The media collectively decided that in the wake of the 9-11 attacks, rallying around the illegitimate president was more important than letting people know explicitly that he'd usurped the office in the first place.

        These "birthers" will accept no evidence of Obama's US birth because they're ideologues -- the same kind of people who can praise Bush for warrantless wiretaps and detentions without charges, but then claim that OBAMA is acting like a dictator. Their media enablers will continue to abet this myth. All we can do is keep knocking it down so it doesn't gain any more traction than it already has.
        Report Abuse
        • Author by pags2 (July 20, 2009 9:08 pm ET)
          7 1
          If the birth certificate was signed by God, the neocons would challenge it.
          Report Abuse
          • Author by harley (July 20, 2009 10:33 pm ET)
            5  
            The teabagging terrorists would claim God is a "godless, socialist, communist".
            Report Abuse
          • Author by princeofwheels (July 21, 2009 3:48 am ET)
            1  
            Then the atheist would claim there is no God and the "birthers" would back the athiests.
            And as Rush said, God doesn't have a birth certificate either. If that is the case, can we believe he is really God? (I'm using ConLogic again and it really hurts my head)
            Report Abuse
            • Author by citizenship matters (July 21, 2009 10:50 am ET)
                1
              I heard that God has no beginning or end, so how can God have a birth certificate and who would have issued it. Complicated.
              Report Abuse
          • Author by chevy59tom (July 21, 2009 2:25 pm ET)
              4
            Is your birth certificate signed by a doctor ?
            If Obama has one, then cough it up.
            Report Abuse
            • Author by 1st Republic 14th Star (July 21, 2009 4:23 pm ET)
              1  
              I'm looking at my birth certificate and those of my two daughters right now.

              They each show: baby's name, date, time, and location of birth; name, birth date and birth location of mother; name, birth date and birth location of father; name of informant -- on mine it's my mother and father, on my daughters' it's their mother's and mine; name and signature of certifier -- in each case, the vital records supervisor in the town/city clerk's office where the birth took place; and finally, the name and signature of the city/town clerk where the birth took place.

              What's NOT on any of these birth certificates? The name and signature of a doctor.

              Now, let's suppose that Obama's DID have a doctor's signature on it. Do you doubt for a minute that the birthers will move on to say said doctor doesn't exist, had his signature forged, was bribed, or was coerced?

              And after THAT argument is debunked, do you doubt for a minute that the birthers will raise a new one? And another? And another?

              Think JFK assassination. You can show people through simple geometry that the shots came from the fifth floor of the book depository. You can tell them that the people on the fourth floor heard the action of Oswald's rifle as he worked the bolt, and the shell casings as they hit the floor. You can tell them that of all the employees at the depository, only Oswald left after the shooting. All of these things are obvious, and point to Oswald's blatant guilt.

              The conspiracy theorists will tell you there was a gunman in the storm drain who ran away in the sewers. Knock that down and they'll tell you there was a guy behind the fence on the grassy knoll. Knock that down and they'll tell you there were multiple gunmen on every building around Dealey Plaza. Knock that down and they'll tell you about shooters on the freeway overpass, or on the train tracks, and on and on and on. To them, evidence that they're wrong is merely proof of a conspiracy so vast it can manufacture evidence.

              So the fact that Obama's birth certificate doesn't have a doctor's signature means nothing. The talking point that he hasn't shown a "long form" (whatever THAT is) copy of his birth certificate is equally meaningless. Why? Because NOTHING will satisfy conservative ideologues who are committed to arguing against Obama regardless of facts and evidence.
              Report Abuse
              • Author by open_mind (July 21, 2009 7:02 pm ET)
                2  
                Exactly. Before the State of Hawaii confirmed Obama's COLB, the birthers were claiming the COLB he presented was a forgery. Some claimed they could prove it. But like that argument, as each part of their argument has been systematically dismembered, it just grows new even less plausible arguments.

                There is still zero credible evidence to support any of their claims.

                My favorite example is that "it is common knowledge in Kenya that Obama was born there". Hilarious. It was also common knowledge that Iraq had vast stockpiles of WMD's at one time. "Common knowledge" is no substitute for credible facts and evidence - which they do not have.
                Report Abuse
              • Author by chevy59tom (July 21, 2009 7:49 pm ET)
                  2
                When you are born at a hospital, as Obama claims (now being claimed he wsa born at two hospitals) it is required by Hawaiian law that the attending physician sign the birth records. This gets them off the hook, or they would be sued.
                Sort of like bogeying up a death certificate and taking some other identity to avoid taxes or large debt (I am sure that has never been done in the United States)
                Report Abuse
                • Author by Handsome Pete (July 22, 2009 2:58 pm ET)
                  1  
                  I don't believe your claims that obama claims he was born at two hospitals, or that it is required by Hawaiian law to have the physician sign the birth certificate. I do not trust your word. Either provide some links that back up your claim, or shut the hell up.
                  Report Abuse
            • Author by solon (July 21, 2009 5:25 pm ET)
              1  
              He did. You are an idiot
              Report Abuse
        • Author by kelmark2180 (July 21, 2009 7:57 am ET)
            9
          Gore would have won the presidency had he carried his own home state of Tennessee. I suppose it was an evil right wing conspiracy to deny him votes in Tennessee. I reason that the people of Tennessee knew him best.
          Report Abuse
          • Author by Brabantio (July 21, 2009 9:25 am ET)
            8  
            That never gets old. The idea that Tennessee is relevant to what happened in Florida cracks me up every time. As if fraud is something to ignore because the person robbed should have won by a large enough margin to prevent the fraud, so it's their problem.
            Report Abuse
          • Author by 1st Republic 14th Star (July 21, 2009 4:48 pm ET)
            2  
            What's the theft of Florida got to do with the vote totals in Tennessee? Are you seriously suggesting that Democrats don't have to just win elections, they have to win by a theft-proof margin?
            Report Abuse
          • Author by jjamele2880 (July 21, 2009 9:40 pm ET)
            2  
            By your logic, the Presidential election should be held only in the home states of the main candidates.

            I'd call that the dumbest argument I've ever heard, but it would be elevating it to call it an "argument."
            Report Abuse
    • Author by DAWUSS (July 20, 2009 8:55 pm ET)
      4  
      Well, these questions won't go away because certain people keep bringing them up...
      Report Abuse
    • Author by blueline99 (July 20, 2009 8:59 pm ET)
      9 1
      Does "a lot of anger in the audience" legitimize their lunacy?
      I'm sure there is a lot of anger at a KKK rally too!

      These people are in denial... they are looking for any out that could reverse the "horror" of the election.

      I wish we could pull back the camera and see how many in the audience are white... my guess is all of them!

      And Mr. Dobbs, you are a "birther"... how dare you say "you are reporting the accusation..." You have been making the accusation!! You didn't even mention that the birth certificate has been verified and validated almost a year ago.
      Report Abuse
      • Author by John Paradox (July 21, 2009 2:27 am ET)
        3  
        RE: pulling back the camera. This post (c/o Mother Jones) does pull back farther, and you'll notice the white/gray/no hair among the audience members as well as the melanin-deficient members of the audience.

        http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9V1nmn2zRMc&feature=player_embedded

        J/P=?
        Report Abuse
        • Author by blueline99 (July 21, 2009 12:39 pm ET)
          1  
          Thanks John... that was a very scary clip.
          It was pretty much the crowd that I expected, although I did see some people who look embarrassed or exacerbated by that crazy lady...

          After all, she had a birth certificate from the United States of America, so naturally she's better than President Obama.. also because she is white.
          Report Abuse
    • Author by mk3872 (July 20, 2009 9:04 pm ET)
      4 1
      Other than obsessing over pettiness, obsessing over conspiracy theories about liberals is the favorite passtime of right-wing freako-s.
      Report Abuse
    • Author by congero6189599 (July 20, 2009 9:08 pm ET)
      7 1
      Lou Dobbs takes no responsibility for fostering these lies and giving airtime to "crackpots" to spew these lies, they just somehow keep springing up! He obviously agrees with them despite all evidence to the contrary. I hope there is a hell for demogogues like this!
      Report Abuse
    • Author by harley (July 20, 2009 9:58 pm ET)
      7  
      Dobbs is channeling O'Racist's "Tiller the baby killer" fanaticism.

      Report Abuse
    • Author by SteveRiverson162410 (July 20, 2009 10:06 pm ET)
      1 10
      I think in all fairness it's a legitimate question to ask, people have a right to know and challenge Obama. C'mon let's be honest, were this Bush or another Republican, MSNBC would lead the pack on birth certificate questions.
      Report Abuse
      • Author by congero6189599 (July 20, 2009 10:14 pm ET)
        4 1
        It's only legitimate to fools like you. These questions have been answered here and at other sites many times. Factcheck.org to name one debunks this lie as does information on this site. Take the time to inform yourself and stop being a fool!
        Report Abuse
        • Author by harley (July 20, 2009 10:23 pm ET)
          6 1
          http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/article/2009/jul/01/obamas-birth-certificate-final-chapter-time-we-mea/

          http://www.starbulletin.com/columnists/kokualine/20090606_kokua_line.html

          http://www.kitv.com/politics/17860890/detail.html

          http://www.factcheck.org/elections-2008/born_in_the_usa.html

          Even the radical extremist teabag website confirms it:
          http://www.worldnetdaily.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=73214
          Report Abuse
          • Author by congero6189599 (July 20, 2009 10:31 pm ET)
            1  
            Thanks harley!
            Report Abuse
          • Author by sheep21small (July 21, 2009 1:15 am ET)
              10
            Wow - talk about hate for the Constitution and the rule of law on this website.

            You liberals have no standards at all - laws don't matter to you.

            Obama admitted on his website that he was born a British citizen - I challenge one of you fools to find one credible definition anywhere that would apply natural born citizenship to a dual-nationality citizen.

            Oh, and Obama is more Arab and white than black - so give up the stupid KKK thing - you are a bunch of phonies that have no intellectual abilities - no one here has ever gone to a critical reasoning class or was born with any common sense -

            If Obama is so innocent, why does he hide his long form birth certificate - that could show a foreign birth under Hawaiian laws full of loop holes and would show he was adopted and became an Indonesian citizen, his passport records, his college financial records - that would show him as an Indonesian foreign exchange student, his health records, etc.

            Obama is a crook, you will someday come to realize that - hopefully before he completely destroys the country by destroying our Defenses, taking us into double digit unemployment, having him become the "decider" of who will live and who will die under his "health" scam, giving away a trillion dollars to his political allies and not producing any jobs, trying to implement cap and trade which will cause a huge tax on the lower and middle classes and cause millions of jobs to be lost..

            when are you people going to wake up?
            Report Abuse
            • Author by bintx (July 21, 2009 9:16 am ET)
              6  
              Boy, do you look silly.

              Report Abuse
            • Author by Easy to refute wingnuts (July 21, 2009 9:46 am ET)
              4  
              when are you people going to wake up?
              Why do you keep seeing sleeping liberals in your fevered dreams and assuming it's reality?
              Report Abuse
            • Author by political_left-religious_right (July 21, 2009 9:50 am ET)
              6  
              Wow - talk about hate for the Constitution and the rule of law on this website.

              Why should we talk about it? No one even brought anything like that up.

              You liberals have no standards at all - laws don't matter to you.

              A wildly inaccurate broad-brush attack; this doesn't bode well for whatever follows.

              Obama admitted on his website that he was born a British citizen - I challenge one of you fools to find one credible definition anywhere that would apply natural born citizenship to a dual-nationality citizen.

              Provide a link. If such an "admission" exists, Dobbs and the other birthers would surely have used it by now.

              And if you're going to call us "fools," don't you think you have to prove yourself more intelligent and informed first? Good luck with that.

              Oh, and Obama is more Arab and white than black - so give up the stupid KKK thing - you are a bunch of phonies that have no intellectual abilities - no one here has ever gone to a critical reasoning class or was born with any common sense -

              This is getting sillier as it goes on. I'm going to stop here because you clearly are in over your head with this issue, and are beyond the reach of reason.
              Report Abuse
            • Author by Handsome Pete (July 21, 2009 10:00 am ET)
              3  
              Oh, and Obama is more Arab and white than black - so give up the stupid KKK thing


              Right, because we know the KKK ONLY hates blacks, and is so open minded about Arabs and people of mixed ethnicity. Talk about no common sense.

              If Obama is so innocent, why does he hide his long form birth certificate - that could show a foreign birth under Hawaiian laws full of loop holes and would show he was adopted and became an Indonesian citizen, his passport records, his college financial records - that would show him as an Indonesian foreign exchange student, his health records, etc.


              Obama has provided a legal birth certificate, verified by the State of Hawaii. A long form birth certificate wouldn't satisfy you, because you would just claim it is forged, without any reason to suspect it, except your bigotry and hatred of the man driving your mistrust. And quit pulling stuff out of your rear end, or other conspiracy websites, you have no such documents of his alleged adoption. You, or someone else, made it up, quit crying.
              Report Abuse
            • Author by harley (July 21, 2009 10:01 am ET)
              5  
              Obama admitted on his website that he was born a British citizen
              No. Never. You're wrong.
              Report Abuse
            • Author by mjh (July 21, 2009 2:24 pm ET)
              3  
              "Oh, and Obama is more Arab and white than black . . . "
              - SHEEP21small

              Sheeple, please list your qualifications to make this statement. I assume that you have a background in ethnology, anthropolgy, population studies, etc.

              I don't know how else you would be able to make the claim that the son of a Caucasian woman from Kansas and a Kenyan African man is "more Arab" . . .
              Report Abuse
            • Author by pearlene_scott1602 (July 21, 2009 5:13 pm ET)
              1  
              You liberals have no standards at all -[b] laws don't matter to you
              [/b].

              Speaking of LAWS.....
              Oct 30 2008 Petition for a writ of certiorari before judgment filed. (Response due December 1, 2008)
              Oct 31 2008 Application (08A391) for an injunction pending the disposition of the petition for a writ of certiorari, submitted to Justice Souter.
              Nov 3 2008 Supplemental brief of applicant Philip J. Berg filed.
              Nov 3 2008 Application (08A391) denied by Justice Souter.
              Nov 18 2008 Waiver of right of respondents Federal Election Commission, et al. to respond filed.
              Dec 1 2008 Motion for leave to file amicus brief filed by Bill Anderson.
              Dec 8 2008 Application (08A505) for an injunction pending the disposition of the petition for a writ of certiorari, submitted to Justice Souter.
              Dec 9 2008 Application (08A505) denied by Justice Souter.
              Dec 15 2008 Application (08A505) refiled and submitted to Justice Kennedy.
              Dec 17 2008 DISTRIBUTED for Conference of January 9, 2009.
              Dec 17 2008 Application (08A505) denied by Justice Kennedy.
              Dec 18 2008 Application (08A505) refiled and submitted to Justice Scalia.

              Dec 23 2008 Application (08A505) referred to the Court.
              Dec 23 2008 DISTRIBUTED for Conference of January 16, 2009.

              Jan 12 2009 Motion for leave to file amicus brief filed by Bill Anderson GRANTED.
              Jan 12 2009 Petition DENIED.
              Jan 21 2009 Application (08A505) denied by the Court.

              The definition of denied: 1. To declare untrue; contradict.
              2. To refuse to believe; reject. 3. To refuse to recognize or acknowledge; disavow.


              Obama admitted on his website that he was born a British citizen - I challenge one of you fools to find one credible definition anywhere that would apply natural born citizenship to a dual-nationality citizen.

              PROOF? LINK? Of course NOT, you just enjoy pulling crap outta your butt!

              when are you people going to wake up?

              And YOU actually have the nerve to ask THAT question after the insanity YOU just posted? PLEASEEEEE SEEK HELP or CHANGE YOUR TIN FOIL!
              Report Abuse
            • Author by solon (July 21, 2009 5:29 pm ET)
              2  
              You are a sheep. You are brainwashed and you are an idiot. Obama coughed up what you get when you ask for a copy of your BC. He has shown he was born in Hawaii. Arabs are a subset of semetic people so he would be Arab in NO WAY. You really dont know what you are talking about and what I REALLY like is someone as obviously dumb as you talking to us in such a condescending way while showing how stupid you are. You guys are a laugh riot. Who needs to go to a comedy club when I can read you guys making fools out of yourself here everday.
              Report Abuse
            • Author by FIRST_NATIONS_NDN (July 23, 2009 12:44 am ET)
                 
              So everybody gives all the evidence any sane person could want. Then we have this crazy come and ignore everything and prove that all that has been said about these loonies is correct. Facts don't matter. Only the fiction created in their heads. Beep- beep mind control works on low mentality. Use your brian for something other than a hat rack or become numb and have the reasoning power of a turnip.
              Report Abuse
          • Author by John Paradox (July 21, 2009 2:31 am ET)
            3  
            From SNOPES:

            Natural Born Citizen
            Birth Certificate
            Report Abuse
        • Author by Magnus Johansson (July 21, 2009 2:17 am ET)
            10
          Is the US constitution only relevant to "fools" like Steve Riverson? Obama is not a natural born citizen because his father never was a citizen of USA. It doesn't matter right now where Obama was born. For Obama to have the slightest chance of being a legitimate president he has to find himself a new father.
          Report Abuse
          • Author by bintx (July 21, 2009 9:19 am ET)
            5  
            Obama IS a natural born citizen of the United States. His father's citizenship is irrelevant. You might want to try reading the Constitution instead of blogs.

            The 14th Amendment "All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside."

            Title 8, Section 1401 of the U.S. Code defines the following as people who are "citizens of the United States at birth:"

            * Anyone born inside the United States *
            * Any Indian or Eskimo born in the United States, provided being a citizen of the U.S. does not impair the person's status as a citizen of the tribe
            * Any one born outside the United States, both of whose parents are citizens of the U.S., as long as one parent has lived in the U.S.
            * Any one born outside the United States, if one parent is a citizen and lived in the U.S. for at least one year and the other parent is a U.S. national
            * Any one born in a U.S. possession, if one parent is a citizen and lived in the U.S. for at least one year
            * Any one found in the U.S. under the age of five, whose parentage cannot be determined, as long as proof of non-citizenship is not provided by age 21
            * Any one born outside the United States, if one parent is an alien and as long as the other parent is a citizen of the U.S. who lived in the U.S. for at least five years (with military and diplomatic service included in this time)
            * A final, historical condition: a person born before 5/24/1934 of an alien father and a U.S. citizen mother who has lived in the U.S.

            You're wrong, admit it.
            Report Abuse
            • Author by guy4013 (July 21, 2009 11:13 am ET)
                8
              To bintx,

              I'm sorry but I had to laugh at your ignorance in your comment. The Constitution is the Supreme law, not any US code or law of Congress.

              I quote Vattel, the historical authority on citizens,

              "I say that, in order to be of the COUNTRY, it is necessary that a person be born of the FATHER who is a "citizen", for, if he is BORN of a FOREIGNER, it will only be the place of his BIRTH and not his COUNTRY".

              Obama's COUNTRY is Kenya not America and his citizenship is British because of his father, not US.

              Obama: British born, NOT NATURAL BORN

              I'm RIGHT and I admit it.
              Report Abuse
              • Author by shaggles (July 21, 2009 12:05 pm ET)
                5  
                If the Constitution is the supreme law why are you quoting Vattel as the historical authority on citizens rather than quoting our Constitution as Bintx did? (The 14th Amendment is part of the Constitution.) It's very clear that under our Constitution anyone born on US soil is legally a natural born citizen of the US regardless of his parentage.
                Report Abuse
              • Author by political_left-religious_right (July 21, 2009 12:06 pm ET)
                5  
                I'm sorry but I had to laugh at your ignorance in your comment. The Constitution is the Supreme law, not any US code or law of Congress.

                So why not quote the Constitution, guy? Because it doesn't support your desperate claim.

                I quote Vattel, the historical authority on citizens,

                Since Vattel died in 1767, I reject his authority on U.S. citizens.

                "I say that, in order to be of the COUNTRY, it is necessary that a person be born of the FATHER who is a "citizen", for, if he is BORN of a FOREIGNER, it will only be the place of his BIRTH and not his COUNTRY".

                Stunningly irrelevant to U.S. law.

                Obama's COUNTRY is Kenya not America and his citizenship is British because of his father, not US.

                Obama: British born, NOT NATURAL BORN


                Obama was born in the U.S., is just as much an American citizen as you are, and all your huffing and puffing won't change that. We managed to get by after eight years of an arguably illegitimate presidency; surely you can endure a legitimate one, can't you?

                I'm RIGHT and I admit it.

                That's "right" as the short version of "right-wing conspiratorially-minded nutcase with no legitimate gripe against the man who won the presidency with a plurality of over eight million votes, but I'll continue my ridiculous and often-disproved tirade about his citizenship because it makes me feel like an adult." It's not "right" as in "correct," not by a long shot.

                Reason this out, guy. If there was a genuine case to be made about Obama's citizenship, why are there no actual politicians or judges--you know, the ones that can actually do anything about it--bringing it up? Why is it only mentioned by the blowhards in the media and their weak-minded sycophants? Why didn't McCain mention it even once? Why didn't Palin? If his presidency isn't legit, why did Chief Justice Roberts administer the oath of office? Can you just admit that you dislike Obama and let it go at that? Be honest and admit that you simply don't accept the proof of Obama's citizenship because of your own petty reasons, but don't chastise us for not playing along.
                Report Abuse
              • Author by mikehuck1976 (July 21, 2009 2:20 pm ET)
                5  
                Did you really laugh at someone else's ignorance by dismissing a Constitutional amendment in favor of a philosopher who died in 1767?? Do you know who Vattel is? Do you know how ridiculous you appear? Are you really this stupid guy or do you just hope to convince others who you think are this stupid? Do you actually believe that Vattel has some authority over who is considered an American citizen?
                Report Abuse
              • Author by mjh (July 21, 2009 2:26 pm ET)
                3  
                "I THINK I'm RIGHT and I admit it." - guy4013


                FIXED
                Report Abuse
              • Author by solon (July 21, 2009 5:34 pm ET)
                2  
                Let me laugh at YOUR ignorance. How in the world are you claiming that a Swiss jurist and philospher from the 18th Century is in ANY WAY an expert on the US constitution or the CONSTITUTIONAL definition of what is a citizen. You have tried this before. I found the laughable website the argument came from. Its moronic. Cough up a Swiss Jurists legal standing to define US legal definitions or stop embarassing yourself
                Report Abuse
              • Author by Handsome Pete (July 22, 2009 3:07 pm ET)
                   
                I quote Vattel, the historical authority on citizens,


                When it comes to the Constitution of the United States, written 20 years after he died, Vattel ain't sh!t.
                Report Abuse
          • Author by Handsome Pete (July 21, 2009 9:51 am ET)
            3  
            Show us the relevant legislation that states WHERE he was born is not relevant, and why citizenship of only ONE parent is necessary to be a natural born citizen, and why his mother being a natural born citizen is not enough. I won't hold my breath waiting for you to provide actual evidence. Sufficed to say, your word on the matter is not sufficient.
            Report Abuse
          • Author by blueline99 (July 21, 2009 11:02 am ET)
            3  
            You're wrong... anyone born in the United States is a Natural Born Citizen.

            The citizenship of the parents only matters if you were born outside of the United States... which I guess is what all these Birthers are trying to claim.

            Maybe you should claim that President Obama was born in the FEMA camps, by the grassy knoll, also known as Area 51 and in Hanger 13.

            They all must be drinking the crazy juice again
            Report Abuse
            • Author by Brabantio (July 21, 2009 11:10 am ET)
              5  
              Originally, the Birthers were claiming "he was born in Kenya, so he's illegitimate". More and more, I'm hearing "It doesn't matter where he was born..." That indicates to me that they know they're not gaining any traction on the birth certificate front, and they're shifting gears.

              It's a lose-lose situation for them once they made the Kenya argument, I think. If it really is so simple as "both of his parents must be citizens", then why so much talk about the birth certificate? Even in the best-case scenario, people are bringing Kenya up for no good reason. That comes off as racist, which discredits the movement whether they have a legitimate case or not.
              Report Abuse
          • Author by pearlene_scott1602 (July 21, 2009 5:16 pm ET)
            1  
            For Obama to have the slightest chance of being a legitimate president he has to find himself a new father.


            For the YOU to have the slightest chance of NOT being INSANE, YOU need to buy a new brain!

            Seriously, YOU are the perfect example of why NORMAL folks think you jacka**es are insane!
            Report Abuse
          • Author by solon (July 21, 2009 5:31 pm ET)
            1  
            You are wrong. There is no such requirement.
            Report Abuse
      • Author by harley (July 20, 2009 10:20 pm ET)
        8  
        No, it's not legitimate by any stretch of the imagination. It's been addressed. He was born in Hawaii, just because you teabagging reich-wing terrorists refuse to accept reality doesn't mean it's "legitimate". And if MSNBC was leading such a bogus and pathetic charge, the reich-wing outrage would be deafening and non-stop.

        Report Abuse
      • Author by Brabantio (July 21, 2009 12:28 am ET)
        4  
        Did they jump all over McCain's eligibility? One case seems just as silly as the other.
        Report Abuse
        • Author by guy4013 (July 21, 2009 11:19 am ET)
            5
          To Brabantio,

          The New York Times demanded an investigation into McCain's citizenship because of his birth certificate. McCain also released his authentic birth certificate which was not computer generated by a website.

          The cowards in the senate complied with Sen Res #511, April 2008, finding McCain a "Natural born" citizen. Wrongly, I believe.

          The cowards did not investigate the Son of a goat herder from Kenya and a British citizen. Why was that not done?

          I guess that being the Son of a goat herder is more important than the son and grandson of US Naval officers.

          The election of 2008 is nothing but a cruel joke on the American people.
          Report Abuse
          • Author by Brabantio (July 21, 2009 11:47 am ET)
            4  
            I was talking about MSNBC, but I would criticize the NYT for that as well. However, I don't believe the issue with McCain really had anything to do with his birth certificate, since everyone knows he was born out of country. The question revolves around what is considered "natural-born". Also, there really doesn't seem to be any basis for claiming that Obama's birth certificate isn't genuine. Hawaii verified it.
            Report Abuse
          • Author by mikehuck1976 (July 21, 2009 2:23 pm ET)
            1  
            So you think McCain is not eligible for the presidency either? Because of something you read that Vattel wrote? Unbelievable.
            Report Abuse
          • Author by mjh (July 21, 2009 2:29 pm ET)
            2  
            "I guess that being the Son of a goat herder is more important than the son and grandson of US Naval officers."

            Depends on whether or not Obama was trying to get into Annapolis.


            "The election of 2008 is nothing but a cruel joke on the American people."

            Naw, just a joke on the unhinged wingnuts like you . . .
            Report Abuse
          • Author by solon (July 21, 2009 5:38 pm ET)
            1  
            You mean the son of a goatherder who GRADUATED HARVARD UNIVERSITY dont you? You are a putz
            Report Abuse
      • Author by pags2 (July 21, 2009 12:47 am ET)
        5  
        The only reason this question has come up is because the radical right wing wants to portray Obama as a usurper to the presidency. This is very dangerous talk and you can readily see how worked up some the birthers get over this. When people go from radical to fanatic there is the possibility someone will take unilateral action. Reread your history about Lee Harvey Oswald.
        Report Abuse
      • Author by princeofwheels (July 21, 2009 3:54 am ET)
        3  
        Steve, they questioned has been answered, even by the rightwingers themselves. It is a cottage industry and money is being made off the sheep.

        And please, what-if-a-Republican did it is too 2nd Grade for people around here. But I'll play...George Bush cannot prove he wasn't AWOL from his post in Alabama..He should have to prove he was there. The Republicans decried any suggestion that he wasn't AWOL with out proof. The original birth certificate has been attested to by the Governor of Hawaii, a McCain supporter. According to ConLogic, if Obama wasn't born in Hawaii, Bush was AWOL. Now wasn't that fun. Two ridiculous claims..which has been proven and which hasn't????? NEXT
        Report Abuse
        • Author by Easy to refute wingnuts (July 21, 2009 8:38 am ET)
          3  
          And please, what-if-a-Republican did it is too 2nd Grade for people around here. But I'll play...
          I will, too. In 2000 Both george W. Bush and Dick Cheney had their legal residences in Texas. The Constitution states that both candidates on the ticket may not live in the same state. Cheney immediately lied and said he had been living in Wyoming for years, when his tax returns had him paying taxes in Texas as a legal resident. Bush's father's court cronies ruled that Cheney did, in fact, live in Wyoming.

          He didn't.
          Report Abuse
          • Author by bintx (July 21, 2009 9:21 am ET)
            2 1
            Actually, Cheney did not have his legal residence in Texas. His permanent residence was Wyoming.

            Not saying this because I'm supportive of Cheney or Bush . . . just being protective of my home state. Many Texans wish these carpetbaggers had just stayed the heck out of our state.
            Report Abuse
            • Author by Easy to refute wingnuts (July 21, 2009 10:44 am ET)
              1 1
              Thanks! I stand corrected (orthopedic shoes...)
              Report Abuse
              • Author by robyn20094113 (July 22, 2009 3:01 pm ET)
                   
                On his federal tax returns, for the past eight years, Cheney had listed his permanent residence as Texas. They should never been able to claim the votes from Texas, so they did not just steal Florida, they stole Texas as well.
                Report Abuse
            • Author by Scotty Johnson Sr. (July 21, 2009 4:19 pm ET)
                 
              Actually, Cheney did not have his legal residence in Texas. His permanent residence was Wyoming.
              Actually, I think he moved his residency just before he chose himself as the Vice Presidential candidate, just to avoid the conflict.
              Report Abuse
              • Author by robyn20094113 (July 22, 2009 3:11 pm ET)
                   
                He claimed, his vacation home, in Wyoming, as his residency, after the discrepancy was brought to the attention of the public. Regardless, on his Federal tax returns, he had listed Texas as his home state. They needed Texas and Florida to win. Truth is, they should not have been granted either.
                Report Abuse
          • Author by guy4013 (July 21, 2009 11:22 am ET)
              4
            Texas does not have Income taxes so Cheney could not had tax returns from Texas.

            Texas is a great state and no income taxes. Wow.
            Report Abuse
            • Author by Scotty Johnson Sr. (July 21, 2009 4:21 pm ET)
              1  
              Texas is a great state and no income taxes. Wow.
              That explains the sh!tty roads I've experienced when I've visited.
              Report Abuse
            • Author by solon (July 21, 2009 6:23 pm ET)
              3  
              So what? He paid taxes. Texas has PROPERTY taxes and he paid them in TEXAS.
              Report Abuse
            • Author by Macmanius (July 21, 2009 7:34 pm ET)
              1 1
              Well, that's not entirely accurate: while it's true that Texas does not have any state or local personal income taxes, the state boasts both sales and property taxes significantly higher than the national median. Furthermore, the vast majority of Texans do are required by law to pay their share of all federal taxes, (including the personal income tax,) as are residents of all fifty other states, meaning that as employed adults both Bush and Cheney would have had to provide any and all relevant information to the I.R.S., such as their state of primary residence.

              You either did not take the time to do even rudimentary research before making this statement, or else you did and are therefore being willfully dishonest. Personally, I can't decide which it is; then again, I have the same problem regarding things Sean Hannity says.
              Report Abuse
            • Author by robyn20094113 (July 22, 2009 3:17 pm ET)
              1  
              Do Texans have to file Federal Tax returns? Cheney did, and he listed Texas as his permanent residence for eight years.
              Report Abuse
      • Author by bintx (July 21, 2009 9:13 am ET)
        2  
        That "legitimate" question has been ANSWERED . . . repeatedly. The LEGITIMATE document has been produced and VERIFIED as being authentic and representative of the fact that Mr. Obama IS a natural born citizen of the United States.

        Quit listening to the idiots who are try to get you to believe otherwise, even though they don't believe it, it makes you look foolish.

        Report Abuse
        • Author by guy4013 (July 21, 2009 11:24 am ET)
            6
          How do you get to be a "NATURAL BORN" citizen by a birth certificate??

          Just how does that work?

          Obama: British born, NOT NATURAL BORN!!
          Report Abuse
          • Author by blueline99 (July 21, 2009 12:45 pm ET)
            2  
            He was born in Hawaii...the birth certificate verifies that...that makes him a natural born citizen...

            The logic isn't that difficult to follow... maybe it is for you "guy"

            Just say that you believe the birth certificate that he has produced is a fake and move on... this other argument about his parents is irrelevant.
            Report Abuse
            • Author by NaturalBorn (July 21, 2009 1:17 pm ET)
                6
              I'm sorry but a birth certificate does not make you a "NATURAL BORN" citizen.

              If that were true, the president of China whose has a COLB from Hawaii would be eligible to be president. NOT!!

              Obama: British Born, NOT NATURAL BORN!!
              Report Abuse
              • Author by congero6189599 (July 21, 2009 1:46 pm ET)
                4  
                Reading comprehension doesn't seem to be your strong suit. It seems like you just regurgitate what you hear because thats what you want to believe. But here is an article that debunks your vomit. Please pay close attention to the part that says the law passed that says the President of China could obtain a COLB(not sure if that is true but anyway)was passed 10 yrs. after Obama was born. Get it! Now don't let the door slam on your way out!http://www.ocweekly.com/2009-06-18/news/orly-taitz/5
                Report Abuse
              • Author by mjh (July 21, 2009 2:52 pm ET)
                1  
                "I'm sorry but a birth certificate does not make you a "NATURAL BORN" citizen.

                If that were true, the president of China whose has a COLB from Hawaii would be eligible to be president. NOT!!"

                - NaturalBornIdiot

                There's just one problem with that -- the current president of China, Hu Jintao, wasn't born in Hawaii.

                NEXT!!
                Report Abuse
          • Author by Macmanius (July 21, 2009 8:55 pm ET)
               
            Okay, once and for all:

            Here is the relevant portion of the United State Constitution - Article II - which primarily deals with the duties of the president and vice-president, as well as the prerequisites to holding those offices. Pay close attention to the fifth clause of Section 1, which states that "[n]o person except a natural born citizen, or a citizen of the United States ... shall be eligible to the office of President; neither shall any person be eligible to that office who shall not have attained to the age of thirty five years, and been fourteen Years a resident within the United States." That's it. That's all it says. These are the only requirements to eligibility.

            While we're at it, here's the Fourteenth Amendment, ratified in 1868. This is an important one, as it marks the first instance of Constitutional law directly addressing the rights and requirements of U.S. citizenship. You'll want to read the first clause of Section One (also known as the "Citizenship Clause") in particular, which states that "[a]ll persons born ... in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the state wherein they reside." Hmmm. Nope, no mention of parental nationality there. Nope, nothing on dual citizenship either. In fact, I can't find any mention of either of those issues anywhere in the Constitution. I dunno, maybe I'm missing something. Tell ya what: why don't you just go ahead and parse the thing yourself? You can let me know know if ya find anything. (Also, here's a definition for the verb "to parse", as I know it's not one you hear often on Fox & Friends.)

            And while we're it it, why don't we break out a second encore of that beloved old chestnut, Title 8, Section 1401 of the U.S. Code? I know it's a lot to read, but as a concerned citizen of this great nation, I also know that you'll want to be as well-informed as possible. It's probably gonna take a while, (especially if you read everything as thoroughly as I'm certain you will,) but I'm sure everyone on this thread is willing to wait while you catch up with the rest of the class.
            Report Abuse
    • Author by IRONY 101 (July 20, 2009 10:26 pm ET)
      2  
      Hey, Lou, illegal alien news a little slow these days? What's next, Lou...Obama's best friend is Bill Ayers? Just be patient, Lou, and maybe a gang of deranged illegal aliens will rape and pillage an American town out West real soon.
      Report Abuse
      • Author by lookoutoftheyard2251 (July 20, 2009 11:40 pm ET)
        4  
        Yes, the illegal alien news is slow, and the birth certificate thing is the closest thing to it that he can offer. Cut the poor man a break. How's he supposed to fearmonger if there's no illegal alien fear to stoke?
        Report Abuse
    • Author by adirondack_11985 (July 20, 2009 10:32 pm ET)
        8
      Lunacy, Racism, conspiracy theorists, sore losers etc, how about just PROOF of eligibility? That's simple enough isn't it? Legitimacy isn't some game to play it is the law and should be welcomed by all who support this nation. It has no party affiliation you know, it is in fact a protection against a danger not to be taken lightly and as recent as 2008 was reaffirmed by the senate and congress. So, are you a facilitator of possibly an illegal act or are you a true American ? Please spare me the trash talk and unprofessional opinions, just stick to the law and the reality that there is a concerted effort by Mr Obama to hide the facts. America is built on open government not secrets.
      Report Abuse
      • Author by bintx (July 21, 2009 9:24 am ET)
        6  
        You are incorrect. Obama produced the birth certificate which was forwarded to him by the State of Hawaii and which has been verified by the State of Hawaii as representative of the original birth certificate held in their archives. He was born on August 4, 1961, in the State of Hawaii; therefore, he is a natural born citizen of the United States.

        You are ignoring the law.
        Report Abuse
      • Author by harley (July 21, 2009 10:04 am ET)
        5  
        Please spare me the trash talk and unprofessional opinions, just stick to the law and the reality that there is a concerted effort by Mr Obama to hide the facts.
        Obama was born in Hawaii and proved it. You're too stupid to accept reality.
        Report Abuse
        • Author by Easy to refute wingnuts (July 21, 2009 10:46 am ET)
          4  
          You're too stupid to accept reality.
          And that's not "trash talk," it's a verifiable fact.
          Report Abuse
      • Author by pearlene_scott1602 (July 21, 2009 6:17 pm ET)
        1  
        So, are you a facilitator of possibly an illegal act or are you a true American ?


        Here we go again with the 'true' American bull sh*t!

        IF you're such a true American then YOU should respect the laws of this nation which says:

        If you are the accuser "the necessity of proof always lies with the person who lays charges."

        So it's up to you to either PUT UP or SHUT UP!! Because honestly, by the time you folks are done with this latest insanity, Republicans will be polling at about 1% approval, which is really just fine with me.

        Report Abuse
    • Author by progressiveright (July 20, 2009 11:34 pm ET)
      5  
      Can anyone produce a birth certificate for Lincoln, Teddy Roosevelt, or any of the Presidents born in the 1700's or 1800's? No they did not exist then so I argue that every law they signed into effect is invalid because they were not natural born citizens.
      Report Abuse
      • Author by Easy to refute wingnuts (July 21, 2009 8:41 am ET)
        3  
        SHHHHHHH! Don't give the wingnuts a reason to argue for the reinstatement of slavery.

        Too late, Pat Buchanan's already been doing it.
        Report Abuse
    • Author by Brabantio (July 21, 2009 12:34 am ET)
      4  
      Something I don't think has mentioned very much, if at all, is the concept of "good faith" here. If you think you're married, but later on there's some glitch in the system that means you're not actually married, you can't be held to account for that. It's not like you'll be tried for fraud because your wife had her surgery covered through your insurance plan. You acted in "good faith", so no judge in their right mind is going to punish you for that, while you would be in serious trouble if you knew your marriage was not legitimate.

      If we're talking about birth certificates here, then the theory is that Obama spent some small amount of time out of the country when he was born. Even if this were true, and was technically disqualifying as to "natural-born citizen", Obama might not even know it's the case. He might fully believe that he was born in Hawaii. In that case, there would be no attempt to deceive.

      I do recognize the difference between a prosecution and a qualification, but this aspect is part of what makes the whole thing seem so ridiculous. There's no tangible difference in whether he spent the first few days of his life in Wales, Warsaw or Walla Walla. If he was actually born out of the country, he may not even know it, which makes taking away his office, exposing him to ridicule, probably destroying any future political hopes, etc. to be much more difficult to justify. The ramifications of disqualifying him at this point are historically tremendous.

      This is the problem I have with the entire debate, no matter who we're talking about. If Bush was in the same situation I would blow it off as well, because there's no sense of judgment involved here whatsoever. Any fair and sensible consideration of the pros and cons of impeachment leads to the conclusion that the idea is beyond ludicrous.
      Report Abuse
      • Author by IRONY 101 (July 21, 2009 12:58 am ET)
        4  
        Brab, don't even try to explain the lunacy of this contrived controversy because it's totally irrational.
        Report Abuse
        • Author by National_Insecurity (July 21, 2009 1:35 am ET)
          2  
          When they start with an irrational statement and proceed illogically from there....they still end up at an irrational conclusion.

          I think it's interesting that they never invoke Chief Justice John Roberts' willing collusion with the hypothetical fraud.

          Don't ask them to use Occam's Razor, they'll head down to WalMart to look for it on the shelf.
          Report Abuse
          • Author by madmax46 (July 21, 2009 6:03 pm ET)
              2
            Yes, let's use Occam's Razor.

            All things being equal, the simplest explanation is probably the correct one.

            Translation: Obama has had all his records SEALED and has hired Perkins Coie law firm from D.C. to fight any release of original bc, school records, selective service, etc.. because there is something on those documents that he doesn't want anyone to see.
            Report Abuse
            • Author by shaggles (July 22, 2009 12:36 pm ET)
              1  
              Is this a joke? I certainly hope so because what you call the simplest explanation is a ridiculous and convoluted conspiracy theory. The actual simplest explanation is that the birth certificate provided by the President and verified by the state of Hawaii is valid.
              Report Abuse
            • Author by Handsome Pete (July 22, 2009 3:09 pm ET)
                 
              Except the SIMPLER explanation is, there's nothing on those documents to see, but he doesn't want a bunch of lunatics poring over every detail of his life, and wants to protect his privacy, you douchebag.
              Report Abuse
      • Author by strikefighter (July 21, 2009 1:14 am ET)
        2  
        That reasoning imparts too much rationality and logic upon this movement. These people are hellbent on bringing the Obama admin down, as evidenced by the fact that time and time again, they have proven that even when presented with evidence that proves them wrong, they continue to argue that he is not eligible to be POTUS (and because some of them are racists). They simply do not believe that they are wrong, and anything that should prove them wrong is seen by them as a further part of this impossible conspiracy. So, the talking heads will discuss it, and the birthers will file motions and appeals and the like (and they'll get thrown out), but the GOP itself won't dare get involved, lest they want to see their numbers dwindle even more.
        Report Abuse
    • Author by Jgurl_2u (July 21, 2009 6:23 am ET)
      2  
      How could Dobbs even say they weren't dealt with in a "straight way" This one and simple verification? something that our police or investigators can simply verify?

      These people really believe this conspiracy started from his birth?? lunatics! and Dobbs should NEVER even hint at support of these types of displays from Americans acting SO unamerican.
      Report Abuse
    • Author by rtdavis11200 (July 21, 2009 7:23 am ET)
      2  
      Lou is a jerk! CNN should fire his ass.

      He gives a crowd of Obama haters taxpayer airtime. He must be losing his mind.
      Report Abuse
    • Author by temphandle inventions25escorts (July 21, 2009 7:37 am ET)
      2  
      The question still comes back to me: "What do you have to do to be kicked off of a pundit show?" Buchanan, Dobbs, Scarborough... The only reason that "questions are still being raised" about this and other issues is that these pundits and others keep reporting that marginal citizens like the woman in Dobbs' video ask them.

      Journalism, it seems to me, should require that if there is a genuine need to keep running these false claims, that the networks should then run the sound/video bites from the Governor of Hawaii and others who have attested to the legal proof of our President's legal status.

      Have all of the cable "news" shows gone the way of Fox by calling one side reporting "fair and balanced?"
      Report Abuse
    • Author by germak13 (July 21, 2009 9:11 am ET)
        9
      It's not about his birth. He is illegal because he is not born of two natural born citizens. Even he admits that his father was born in Kenya. Why are you people so dumb? Is it because you are a product of "NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND". I learned about the constitution in my school days,(they actually taught this is school at one time) and it takes no rocket scientist to know that he is indeed an illegal POTUS. That settles it. It's just a matter of time till our country WAKES UP and removes him.
      Report Abuse
      • Author by political_left-religious_right (July 21, 2009 10:03 am ET)
        6  
        I'm going to copy & paste from bintx up above, since you wrote a few minutes too early to see it:

        Title 8, Section 1401 of the U.S. Code defines the following as people who are "citizens of the United States at birth:"

        * Anyone born inside the United States *
        * Any Indian or Eskimo born in the United States, provided being a citizen of the U.S. does not impair the person's status as a citizen of the tribe
        * Any one born outside the United States, both of whose parents are citizens of the U.S., as long as one parent has lived in the U.S.
        * Any one born outside the United States, if one parent is a citizen and lived in the U.S. for at least one year and the other parent is a U.S. national
        * Any one born in a U.S. possession, if one parent is a citizen and lived in the U.S. for at least one year
        * Any one found in the U.S. under the age of five, whose parentage cannot be determined, as long as proof of non-citizenship is not provided by age 21
        * Any one born outside the United States, if one parent is an alien and as long as the other parent is a citizen of the U.S. who lived in the U.S. for at least five years (with military and diplomatic service included in this time)
        * A final, historical condition: a person born before 5/24/1934 of an alien father and a U.S. citizen mother who has lived in the U.S.

        Obama is a citizen because of the first of these conditions. Even if he was born in Kenya--a common birther claim--he would still be a citizen because of the seventh condition. Your condition, that he is not a citizen because both his parents weren't natural-born citizens, does not exist in the legal code and would be laughed out of any court in which you tried to make it an issue.

        Obama "admits" that his father was born in Kenya because it's true. It's also irrelevant to questions about Obama's citizenship.

        If you really learned about the constitution in your school days, and can come up with inaccurate drivel like this, then your questions about people being so dumb, your swipes at "No Child Left Behind," and your calls about people waking up all bounce back to you.
        Report Abuse
        • Author by Sally HIll (July 21, 2009 12:14 pm ET)
            7
          There is a distinct difference in 'US Citizen' and 'Natural Born Citizen'. TItle 8, Section 1401 of the US Code is defining US Citizens, NOT Natural Born Citizens.

          Obama may or may not be a US Citizen by way of the first 3 conditions, but that has nothing to do with being a Natural Born Citizen as required to be POTUS.

          A wildly inaccurate broad-brush attack; this doesn't bode well for whatever follows.
          Agreed - but that goes both ways. Let's discuss it like adults without name calling. I'm not saying I'm right and you're wrong - I'm saying there are issues that need to be addressed regarding Obama's eligibility. I very well could be overlooking some information and not aware of some pertinent information that would change my mind or prove my theory irrelevant. But if we continue to call each other names and make wildly inaccurate broad attacks - we will never accomplish anything.

          Obama admitted on his website that he was born a British citizen - I challenge one of you fools to find one credible definition anywhere that would apply natural born citizenship to a dual-nationality citizen. Provide a link.
          You're right - he didn't state he was born a British Citizen - he stated "When Barack Obama Jr. was born on Aug. 4,1961, in Honolulu, Kenya was a British colony, still part of the United Kingdom’s dwindling empire. As a Kenyan native, Barack Obama Sr. was a British subject whose citizenship status was governed by The British Nationality Act of 1948. That same act governed the status of Obama Sr.‘s children.

          Since Sen. Obama has neither renounced his U.S. citizenship nor sworn an oath of allegiance to Kenya, his Kenyan citizenship automatically expired on Aug. 4,1982."

          I find it very interesting that his website: Fight the smears original website has been removed - along with this statement; however, there is still access via Google cache or here is the backup link that some wise soul created: http://www.fightthesmears.com.php5-9.websitetestlink.com/articles/5/birthcertificate
          Yes, there are still issues with this confession, both for and against Obama. BTW - the donation links and sign up links still work perfectly, even from the google cache link! ;)

          Here are my questions:
          1. While nothing says Obama must be born in a hospital, I'm concerned that there have been some recent problems with just which Hawaiian Hospital is going to step forward and take credit for his birth. FactCheck has recently changed the hospital name from Queens to match that of a letter that supposedly Obama wrote to Kapiolani, saying he was born there. That is a problem area for me - so what hospital was Obama actually born at? Changing the names of hospitals like I change socks makes me go - hummmmmmm.

          2. The Kenyan government says that if Obama does not denounce his US Citizenship, he relinquishes his Kenyan birthright. Ok, but what if he doesn't denounce either his Kenyan or his US citizenship. Well after his 21st birthday, Obama travelled to Kenya (on US taxpayer dollar) to campaign for a paternal relative who happenes to believes in Sharia Law. Now - does such an act constitute:
          1) continued paternal loyalty
          2) belief in Sharia Law
          3) non-verbal affirmation of his Kenyan citizenship?

          3. Obama has appointed Harold Koh as a legal advisor. Koh not only believes in Sharia Law but also Transnationalism. Going back to quesiton #2 - does this show a pattern that perhaps Obama too, believes in Sharia Law? Where does Obama stand on Transnationalism? And if he believes in neither, why would he campaign for a paternal relative who does, or appoint a legal advisor who does? Perhaps he has continued dual-loyalties?

          Most important question:
          4. During the election, then Senator Obama published a statement at his website which said that his birth status was “governed” by the British Nationality Act of 1948. Can you please tell me how a natural born citizen of the United States can be governed – at birth – by British law?

          I'm not saying he is not eligible - I'm saying as an American citizen do I not have the right to ask these questions and expect an answer or at least some sort of explaination from my President? I am willing to keep an open mind - but when I get called names or lumped into a group of tin-foiled hat wearing people, I stop reading. People who believe he is totally legit and legal certainly have that right and I would never call them names or think they were stupid for having a belief and standing up for it - I just would like the same consideration.
          Report Abuse
          • Author by blueline99 (July 21, 2009 12:54 pm ET)
            4  
            Explained to me the difference between US Citizen and Natural Born Citizen...because I believe you are splitting hairs...

            The only other type of citizenship is naturalized citizen which is what I think you are trying to distinguish.
            Report Abuse
          • Author by political_left-religious_right (July 21, 2009 1:25 pm ET)
            2  
            Agreed - but that goes both ways. Let's discuss it like adults without name calling. I'm not saying I'm right and you're wrong - I'm saying there are issues that need to be addressed regarding Obama's eligibility. I very well could be overlooking some information and not aware of some pertinent information that would change my mind or prove my theory irrelevant. But if we continue to call each other names and make wildly inaccurate broad attacks - we will never accomplish anything.

            A nice sentiment, Sally, but I have to wonder why it's here. I was responding to germak, and I didn't do any name-calling, except to point out that his name-calling reflected more on himself. If you're saying that I was wrong about something, please do so clearly and we can take it from there. Thanks.
            Report Abuse
          • Author by solon (July 21, 2009 5:46 pm ET)
            3  
            You can argue that the term in the Constitution natural born citizen is not defined. However we only recognize two types of citizens naturalized and natural born. Obama IS a citizen due to the fact he was born in Hawaii and he was NOT naturalized. Its pretty hard to get around that. Feel free to take it to the US Supreme Court to add ANOTHER layer to the definition used since the beggining of our country but as of now there is no rational reason to say Obama is NOT a natural born citizen
            Report Abuse
            • Author by mikehuck1976 (July 21, 2009 6:30 pm ET)
              2  
              And, please, feel free to argue Vattel in front of the court. I am sure they will love that.
              Report Abuse
          • Author by open_mind (July 21, 2009 8:06 pm ET)
            2  
            You're right - he didn't state he was born a British Citizen - he stated "When Barack Obama Jr. was born on Aug. 4,1961, in Honolulu, Kenya was a British colony, still part of the United Kingdom’s dwindling empire. As a Kenyan native, Barack Obama Sr. was a British subject whose citizenship status was governed by The British Nationality Act of 1948. That same act governed the status of Obama Sr.‘s children.

            Since Sen. Obama has neither renounced his U.S. citizenship nor sworn an oath of allegiance to Kenya, his Kenyan citizenship automatically expired on Aug. 4,1982."


            There is a difference between conferred citizenship and being a natural born citizen. Just because Obama's father was supposedly a subject of the British Crown does not make it so for Obama as he was born on American soil. In this country, Jews are conferred Israeli citizenship, it did not disqualify Lieberman to my knowledge - nor should it.

            1. While nothing says Obama must be born in a hospital, I'm concerned that there have been some recent problems with just which Hawaiian Hospital is going to step forward and take credit for his birth. FactCheck has recently changed the hospital name from Queens to match that of a letter that supposedly Obama wrote to Kapiolani, saying he was born there. That is a problem area for me - so what hospital was Obama actually born at? Changing the names of hospitals like I change socks makes me go - hummmmmmm.


            From what I have seen on this, it derives from a discrepancy between a statement by Obama's sister and Obama. Since Obama would have to rely on someone else (I doubt if he remembers being born in any hospital) as well as his sister - who was born more than a decade later in another country, I am not sure how the discrepancy matters much if at all to the debate.

            2. The Kenyan government says that if Obama does not denounce his US Citizenship, he relinquishes his Kenyan birthright. Ok, but what if he doesn't denounce either his Kenyan or his US citizenship. Well after his 21st birthday, Obama travelled to Kenya (on US taxpayer dollar) to campaign for a paternal relative who happenes to believes in Sharia Law. Now - does such an act constitute:
            1) continued paternal loyalty
            2) belief in Sharia Law
            3) non-verbal affirmation of his Kenyan citizenship?


            Snopes calls that a hoax. Odinga's relationship to Obama is dubious. Obama only met Odinga once and spoke with him on the phone for five minutes. It is an utter joke to claim Obama would lose his US citizenship because of that. There is nothing that indicates Obama believes in Sharia Law - and even if he did, it is a moot point. There is no religious qualification for the presidency as you seem to suggest.
            Report Abuse
          • Author by open_mind (July 21, 2009 8:20 pm ET)
            2  
            3. Obama has appointed Harold Koh as a legal advisor. Koh not only believes in Sharia Law but also Transnationalism. Going back to quesiton #2 - does this show a pattern that perhaps Obama too, believes in Sharia Law? Where does Obama stand on Transnationalism? And if he believes in neither, why would he campaign for a paternal relative who does, or appoint a legal advisor who does? Perhaps he has continued dual-loyalties?


            I don't care if Harold Koh believes in the Easter Bunny AND Santa Claus. Your argument is based on a faulty premise, which I demonstrated above. You are vastly overstating the relationship between Obama and Odinga.

            Most important question:
            4. During the election, then Senator Obama published a statement at his website which said that his birth status was “governed” by the British Nationality Act of 1948. Can you please tell me how a natural born citizen of the United States can be governed – at birth – by British law?


            Again. You corrected yourself on this already. Obama's FATHER's citizenship was supposedly governed by the British Nationality Act. And AGAIN...conferred citizenship is not the same thing as natural born citizenship. Are you saying that people born in the jurisdiction of the American government are not accountable or subject to US and/or Hawaiian law? If Obama's father had killed a Hawaiian, would you be rallying in the streets to have him extradited to London for justice?
            Report Abuse
          • Author by open_mind (July 21, 2009 8:24 pm ET)
            2  
            I'm not saying he is not eligible - I'm saying as an American citizen do I not have the right to ask these questions and expect an answer or at least some sort of explaination from my President? I am willing to keep an open mind - but when I get called names or lumped into a group of tin-foiled hat wearing people, I stop reading. People who believe he is totally legit and legal certainly have that right and I would never call them names or think they were stupid for having a belief and standing up for it - I just would like the same consideration.


            You have the right to ask any question you want. I have not called you any names and I would like to see how you respond to my posts. I hope you are truly open-minded about this.
            Report Abuse
      • Author by Easy to refute wingnuts (July 21, 2009 10:49 am ET)
        3  
        It's just a matter of time till our country WAKES UP and removes him.
        Are you advocating the overthrow of the duly-elected government of the United States?

        That's treason, you know. And during wartime.
        Report Abuse
        • Author by Brabantio (July 21, 2009 11:04 am ET)
          5  
          It really is amusing to me how many people pooh-poohed the idea that Bush was leading us into illegal war, basically saying that international law doesn't mean anything (and the Supremacy Clause doesn't matter). Thousands of our troops are dead, scores of thousands of Iraqi citizens are dead, but talk about whether it's legal or not gets "whatever". The same thing goes for any arguments about the Plame case, torture, extraordinary rendition, Habeas Corpus or warrantless wiretapping. But without any citation of harm, or any tangible difference at all, Obama is supposed to be removed from office because he supposedly came to the United States when he was a few days old. Now that a Democrat is in office, the Constitution is sacred down to the last dotted i and crossed t.
          Report Abuse
          • Author by solon (July 21, 2009 5:48 pm ET)
            1  
            I especially like the way international LAW is meaningless but a Swiss philosopher who died BEFORE the Constitution was enacted is THE EXPERT on Constitutional definitions. Yeah, THAT makes sense.
            Report Abuse
            • Author by mikehuck1976 (July 21, 2009 6:15 pm ET)
                 
              It is simply bizarre. Also, on some level, very sad.
              Report Abuse
      • Author by blueline99 (July 21, 2009 11:09 am ET)
        1  
        You are wrong... I'm sure they taught the constitution when you were a child but you weren't paying attention.

        The requirement for both parents to be natural born citizens only matters if the child is born outside the United States.

        Pay attention in school next time or maybe try to do some research instead of listening to these Birthers who are passing along a lot of bad information... just like you tried to do just now.
        Report Abuse
      • Author by mjh (July 21, 2009 2:39 pm ET)
        2  
        "It's not about his birth." - germak13

        That's funny -- 'cause at first, it was . . .

        The birther wingnuts said "he wasn't born in HI" -- so, Obama produces a birth certificate that proves he was.

        Then, they said "it's fake!" -- so, FactCheck.org proves it is.

        NOW, it's "he didn't have two natural born citizen parents!" -- Funny, neither did Willard Mitt Romney -- but, I don't recall any questions surrounding his eligibility for the presidency . . .
        Report Abuse
        • Author by madmax46 (July 21, 2009 5:59 pm ET)
            2
          Factcheck is nothing. factcheck is a website run by Annenburg foundation of which Obama and Bill Ayers were on the board of directors. talk about putting the fox in charge of the hen house!
          Report Abuse
          • Author by Handsome Pete (July 22, 2009 3:18 pm ET)
            1  
            Fact Check has a reputation, well-earned, for getting things correct and debunking falsehoods and myths over several years. Point out where they were incorrect of their assessment on ANY other issue. You are a name on a screen. Of the two, YOU are the nothing.
            Report Abuse
          • Author by robyn20094113 (July 22, 2009 3:39 pm ET)
               
            How many Republicans were on that board at the same time?
            Report Abuse
      • Author by solon (July 21, 2009 5:43 pm ET)
        1  
        There is no such requirement. The screechmonkeys that do your thinking for you are playing you for a fool and you are embarassing yourself.
        Report Abuse
    • Author by shaggles (July 21, 2009 11:53 am ET)
      1  
      Of course they won't go away if you and Limbaugh keep harping on about it no matter what.
      Report Abuse
    • Author by markusb8323 (July 21, 2009 11:55 am ET)
        6
      the reason why they question is because of the fact that if he cant prove he was born here or have obied by the requirements of the constitution stipulates, then he is not eligable. that was the point. it's not quite the same as when gore and bush were running in 2000. if your wondering about the requirements and dont know...here it is...

      1. to be president you have to be a born citizen and even you are born abroad, your parents have to be natural citizens. *you can claim naturalized citizenship in order to being president if you have lived in the US for atleast fourteen years.*
      There was a loophole for this and it was that you neednt be a citizen of the US if you became one when the constitution was adopted, but since that was so long ago that is really no long in effect lol.

      2. you need to be at least the age of 35.

      these are the two most important stipulations of becoming president to the find the others i am sure you can google it and whatnot. as long as Obama has fulfilled the requirements then he has, by all means, every right to being the president. If he has not then let me be the first to say that he needs to be impeached. because if not then what message, i beg you to consider, does that send to other countries that might mean to do us harm?

      *the reason for this star is that the site i got this from(http://usgovinfo.about.com/od/thepresidentandcabinet/a/presrequire.htm) said that the constitution vaguely talks about that part of the requirements so there is not a definate between being a citizen those 14yrs consecutively or not. thats kinda scarey isnt it? in other words you could live here for short number of yrs throughout the 14 that you claim as time spent as a citizen of this country and it might take you 30yrs to complete that and instill the ideals of other countries into your agenda in works of throwing out our own ideals. me personally i think that should be changed because why is there a reason to have that? to me that looks like a weak point in our own security.
      Report Abuse
      • Author by congero6189599 (July 21, 2009 1:56 pm ET)
        4  

        He proved it you just don't want to believe it. He won the election and he is the 1st Afro-American President of the USA, and I'am proud of him and the USA!
        Report Abuse
      • Author by mikehuck1976 (July 21, 2009 2:11 pm ET)
        4  
        No, it's not scary. Our leaders are not appointed by a royal family. They are elected by the populace. Which Obama was. Deal with it and move on with your life.
        Report Abuse
      • Author by Scotty Johnson Sr. (July 21, 2009 4:27 pm ET)
        2  
        the reason why they question is because of the fact that if he cant prove he was born here
        He already has. End of story. Good luck. Bye bye.
        Report Abuse
        • Author by madmax46 (July 21, 2009 5:58 pm ET)
            1
          No he has not. end of story.

          Obama minions have posted a jpeg which looks like a short form hawaii certification of live birth.

          this is not a long form vault certificate and will not enable you to get a driver's license or join the military or anything else for that matter. And it certainly is not acceptable in a court of law.

          Let's see the long form certificate. It does exist but Obama has hired Perkins Coie to prevent any release of any records...anywhere.

          Why?
          Report Abuse
          • Author by Brabantio (July 22, 2009 8:02 am ET)
            1  
            What the Hawaiian state government sends out is accepted. It's not like they have to send the vault birth certificate to the DMV when someone has to get a driver's license.
            Report Abuse
          • Author by Handsome Pete (July 22, 2009 3:21 pm ET)
               
            You do not even know what a long form vault certificate is.
            Report Abuse
      • Author by Macmanius (July 21, 2009 8:57 pm ET)
           
        Oops. Just spent about twenty minutes writing essentially this. Ah well - I suppose one can't overquote the Constitution in these situations, huh/
        Report Abuse
    • Author by proofreader (July 21, 2009 3:28 pm ET)
         
      Where's the controversy? If his father's a citizen, so is he.
      Report Abuse
    • Author by paka (July 21, 2009 5:09 pm ET)
        2
      To: jjamele2880 - "Questions won't go away? Well, so what?" In America we have the right to question until we get answers! Thankfully, that is one of the rights guaranteed us by the Constitution.

      After your diatribe of name calling (which is against any rule of debate) I find NO facts to support any of your statements. Obama will be considered legitimate when he reveals all the documents (which he has sealed and gone to great expense to contine to seal) including his Certificate of Live Birth. A "Certification of Live Birth" (limited information) is not the same as a long form Certificate of Live birth which shows among other information the signature of the doctor. Hawaii says they have his original but does not tell us who the doctor was and if this was a certificate generated as a result of notification from the hospital or was it one based on just a family member coming in and stating this birth has taken place and a certificate being issued (this possibility was a law in 1961). Have you ever been required to produce your Birth Certificate? Did you? Why do you require any less of Obama? Maybe you should scan an image of your Birth Certificate into a laptop computer and take it and try to get a Driver's License, or Passport, or some other official document. When they quit laughing at you, come back and let us know what they said. By your statement that there is "NOTHING to this Obama birth certificate nonsense- NOTHING" I suppose you have seen his Birth Certificate? Is that the facts that you base your statement on? If not, please produce your FACTS. I really hope you do refer to the proven bogus certificate posted on line, but before you do maybe you better look at the reports by noted Forensic Document Analysis and their conclusions.

      Concerning Bush, again, please produce some facts. Any number of recounts, by media and others all came to the same conclusion: Bush won! As I recall, there was quite a bit of "airtime" given to that for a number of years.

      Other posters make comments like "obsessing over pettiness," I would just like to remind them that the Constitution is not a petty document.

      To "political_left-religious_right " The link you asked for concerning Obama's statement and "such an 'admission'" is his book "Dreams of My Father." Get it and read it or at least Google that quote and you will find an exerpt.

      And the Arab statement by "sheep21small" was a bit over the top but you do have to admit that Obama is as much white as he is black - white mother, black father. The color of his skin has nothing to do with this whole matter and it should be left out of the equation. So, let's quit all the name calling and degrading one another and look at the facts. I have read both sides and made up my own mind. Everyone should do the same, then if you want, discuss it without all the insults.

      Again, I hope to read some facts concerning Obama's citizenship, and if it is just an opinion that is OK too, but be honest about it (and civil).
      paka
      Report Abuse
    • Author by mjh (July 21, 2009 8:52 pm ET)
         
      "I'm not saying he is not eligible - I'm saying as an American citizen do I not have the right to ask these questions and expect an answer or at least some sort of explaination from my President? I am willing to keep an open mind - but when I get called names or lumped into a group of tin-foiled hat wearing people, I stop reading. People who believe he is totally legit and legal certainly have that right and I would never call them names or think they were stupid for having a belief and standing up for it - I just would like the same consideration." - SallyForthHill


      TRANSLATION: I'm going to keep asking the same questions over and over again, despite the fact they've already been answered, because, as is typical for birther wingnuts such as myself, I'm going to keep disregarding the answer until I get one I agree with . . .
      Report Abuse
    • Author by angrcitizen (July 22, 2009 4:04 am ET)
        2
      The problem with Obama's failure, or rather refusual, to provide a verifiable birth certicate, is that it leads people to believe that he is hiding something REALLY BAD about himself. Something like not being a "natural born citizen" as required by the constitution in order to be president. Or even worse, that he may in fact not even be a citizen of this country!
      Report Abuse