Originally Posted by FoxNews.com
In Georgia, Deal, who sent his letter in December, says he is not questioning Obama's legitimacy, but he believes the president would like a chance to put the issue to rest -- even though the Hawaiian government confirmed during the 2008 campaign that a copy of Obama's birth certificate, which his campaign posted on his Web site, was authentic.
In a gubernatorial debate this month, Deal was criticized by one of his GOP opponents for pressing the president to release his birth certificate
"The ability to work with the president ... is hindered when you have people who are running for governor that are calling for childish things like the president to show his birth certificate," said Georgia state lawmaker Austin Scott. "I promise you I'll always be a gentleman when working with the federal government."
Deal shot back that he is only serving the interests of his constituents who want to know what the status of the president's birth certificate is.
"I have simply asked the president, tell me where I can refer these constituent inquiries to a source that you think is credible so that we can answer their questions," he said. "I think that's a reasonable proposition and certainly something that I think the president should respond to. Although at this point he has not."