This was in the Chicago Tribune. The author is a bit snippy but at least some people who have never heard about this just learned. Thank you Eric.



Certificate of proof

July 26, 2009

I cannot contain my delight that the "Birthers" are edging their way back into the spotlight. They're the indignant seething fringe Republicans who are persuaded that there is strong doubt about where President Barack Obama was born and, therefore, strong doubt about the legitimacy of his presidency.

A YouTube video that began circulating virally last week shows U.S. Rep. Mike Castle (R-Del.) trying unsuccessfully to face down these baying hounds at a recent town hall meeting, and cable TV hosts, such as Lou Dobbs, are beating on a horse that I thought died on Inauguration Day.

The Birthers' theory is that Obama's mother, an American citizen, traveled to Kenya in 1961 to give birth, and that because she was three months shy of her 19th birthday, her baby wasn't a citizen at birth according to the law at that time. Only "natural born" U.S. citizens are eligible to become president.

Obama could hardly ask for better enemies or a more promising bit of animating passion on the far right. Even if he had been born when his mom was on an overseas vacation and just shy of an arbitrary age requirement that's no longer in place -- and there's no good evidence that he was -- Congress and the courts would dismiss their complaints as a petty technicality.

These folks make the "Bill and Hillary Clinton were murderers!!!" people look sane. The related comment board at Change of Subject online (chicagotribune.com/zorn) was a highly entertaining place last week. Conservative pundit Michael Medved was quoted in politico.com as wondering if the Birthers aren't, in fact, the victims of "a very big conspiracy to make conservatives disgrace themselves."

Could be. But they do vote. Which prompted me to ask the announced GOP candidates for governor, "To what degree, if any, do you share the concerns of the Birthers?"

Adam Andrzejewski: I do have concerns about Obama's policies, which I think run counter to the American mainstream. I would hope that the many conservatives who are "concerned" about Obama's citizenship exercise their citizenship more effectively by pointing out their differences with his policies rather than with his birth certificate.

Bill Brady: I frankly don't hear that much about it. I continue to hear people talk about how they're worried about the economy and jobs. Obama will be judged on his actions and if I were him I'd just provide the proof. One action he should do is provide the proof. I really haven't seen any proof, but I haven't been following this issue closely.

Kirk Dillard: (via a spokesman) Sen. Dillard has no comment with respect to this issue. He's out talking to the voters about the economy and the enormous issues facing Illinois.

Matt Murphy: This has been addressed by the courts and from my perspective, the issue has been decided. It's time to move on.

Dan Proft: I'll defer to Kirk Dillard on this matter as I'm sure he was fully briefed prior to cutting his endorsement commercial for Barack Obama.

Bob Schillerstrom: (via a spokesman) The short answer is no. From the economy to soaring unemployment to runaway spending, we have real challenges that require serious attention -- that is not one of them.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opin ... 3630.story