With all the problems still plaguing the country – health care, the economy, unemployment – why are so many people intent on keeping the supposed controversy of the citizenship of the President of the United States in the forefront?
The Birthers
“The birthers” as they’ve come to be known, are a group of activists, theorist and attorneys dead set on proving that this particular president, under constitutional grounds, should not be in office (which is in itself a bit ironic being that the president was a Constitutional professor). Using a nationally refuted interpretation of the Constitution, the fringe group claims that what they are arguing is that Obama is only a “citizen” of the United States and not a “naturally born citizen” (much the way countless immigrants are now citizens of the U.S., but were born elsewhere in the world).
The birthers’ main argument is that Obama’s father was not a citizen of the United States - Barack Obama Sr. was a Kenyan national - and that this makes the president simply a “citizen” and not a “naturally born citizen”, even though since August 21, 1959, any person’s born in Hawaii would be recognized as being a naturally born citizen as per article II and the 14th amendment of the Constitution. Major research isn’t needed to prove this point. Just a little reading. Yet, the controversy continues.
Hawaii Vouches for the Authenticity of Obama's Birth Certificate
Earlier this week, state officials of Hawaii again saw themselves forced to confirm that Barack Obama is in fact a natural-born citizen of the United States. But this will likely do little to squelch the fringe groups’ fervor. It didn’t do anything to quiet them in October 2008, the first time Hawaii’s health director and other Hawaiian government officials issued a statement saying that they had personally seen the president’s birth certificate.
Birthers Find a Receptive Audience
In a just released survey conducted by Daily Kos Research 2000, 77% of the country believes Obama was born in the United States; 11% believe he was not, and 12% weren’t sure.
Broken down by regions, 93% of those in the Northeast; 90% of those in the Midwest; and 89% of those in the West believe Obama to be a U.S. citizen. The glaring difference comes in those surveyed in the South of whom only 47% believe Obama is an American - 53% believe that either he is not an American or are unsure of his citizenship.
Republicans are Silent or Deliberately Hazy on the Question of Birth
Unfortunately, many Republicans are not speaking out against the birthers extreme group. Conservative commentators and even some politicians are fanning further doubt by what they say publicly; both overtly and subtly.
When asked whether or not he believed that Barack Obama was an American citizen, Republican Representative from Missouri, Roy Blunt replied, “I don’t know why the president can’t produce a birth certificate.” The fact is, the State Department demands a certified birth certificate in order to issue a passport. Obama has had a passport since childhood. His documentation was seen long before Obama ever dreamed of a political life.
Some in the Republican Party are Fed Up with the Birthers' Hype
Luckily, not all republicans are blinded by the side-show issue that the question of the president’s birthplace has become. Appearing on “Hardball with Chris Matthews,” Republican strategist Todd Harris said today of the Obama birth issue, “I think this whole issue is ridiculous… I think the people that are pushing this issue are not a bit nuts, but a lot nuts.”
The Burden of Proof Has Been Met
Regardless of political affiliation, whether republican, democrat or independent, the truth behind the president’s citizenship is an easily proven one. Barack Obama is a natural born citizen of the United States of America. Documents have been brought forward. Birth announcements in old newspapers have been retrieved. Sworn statements have been taken. Congress confirmed him. Chief Justice Roberts swore him in. Like the man or not, he is an American and he is our president. Perhaps the birthers’ energies would be better served opposing Obama on actual issues instead of beating dead horses.
Sources:
- Apuzzo. Mario. “What to Tell the Birthers Bashers”. Retrieved 2009-07-31
- Hardball with Chris Matthews. MSNBC. 07/31/2009
- Jones, Tim. “Obama Birth Certificate Battle May Go to Supreme Court”. Chicago Tribune (IL); 12/07/2008
- Smith, Ben. “Culture of Conspiracy: the Birthers”. Politico.com 03/01/09 Retrieved 2009-07-31
Elvira Nieto - Elvira "Elvi" Nieto has had a life-long passion for writing both fiction and non-fiction alike. For two years, 2006-2007, she worked as ...
