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Latest update: 27/04/2011
- Barack Obama - presidential elections - Republicans (USA)
Obama releases 'long form' birth certificate
US President Barack Obama released a long version of his Hawaiian birth certificate on Wednesday in an effort to end "this silliness” over persistent rumours claiming he was not in fact born on American soil and thus ineligible for the presidency.
By News Wires (text)
REUTERS - President Barack Obama on Wednesday released a longer version of his birth certificate to answer Republican charges he was not born in America, and blasted “carnival barkers” who refuse to let the issue die.
Obama took the unusual step of making a statement in the White House press briefing room to comment on the controversy, which has been raised most recently by real estate tycoon Donald Trump, who is considering a 2012 run for the Republican presidential nomination.
“We do not have time for this silliness,” Obama said in an easy-going appearance that turned serious when he addressed what he called a distraction from the real issues.
U.S. television networks broke into their regular programming for Obama’s statement, giving him valuable air time just as the 2012 campaign is beginning to stir.
“I can’t get the networks to break in on all kinds of other discussions,” the president said with a smile as he stepped onto the podium.
Obama in his two years in office has had to deal with charges that he does not meet the constitutional requirement that a president must be U.S. born, and separately, some have said he was a Muslim, when in fact he is a Christian.
The new document confirms what a shorter version released in 2008 has said, that Obama was born in Honolulu, Hawaii, on Aug. 4, 1961, the son of father from Kenya and a mother from Kansas.
Trump, speaking in New Hampshire, told reporters that he was “really happy” that Obama addressed the issue and is ready to debate other issues.
“I feel I’ve accomplished something really, really important and I’m honored by it,” Trump said in remarks shown live on CNN.
Some conspiracy theorists have tried to make the case that the “Certificate of Live Birth” released in the 2008 campaign was insufficient and that Obama was in fact born in Kenya, even though the short form issued by the Hawaiian state government was all that was necessary for official business like obtaining a driver’s license.
The longer version provides a little more information, such as that he was born at Kapiolani Maternity and Gynecological Hospital in Honolulu to father Barack Hussein Obama, a 25-year-old Kenyan, and 18-year-old mother, Ann Dunham Obama of Wichita, Kansas. It is dated Aug. 8, 1961.
Why now?
Obama said he recognized that this document still will not satisfy “a segment of people for which, no matter what we put out, this issue will not be put to rest.”
Obama said he decided to address the issue now because in recent weeks during a budget debate with Republicans he saw that some news outlets were instead focused on the so-called birther issue.
He said he is confident U.S. politicians can reach agreement on serious disputes, “but we’re not going to be able to do it if we are distracted.”
“We’re not going to be able to do it if we just make stuff up and pretend that facts are not facts. We’re not going to be able to solve our problems if we get distracted by sideshows and carnival barkers,” he said.
The objective for Obama, who is seeking re-election in 2012, was to appear as the adult in American politics, eager to discuss real issues, and American voters may give him some credit for the move.
Obama’s appearance came as he is struggling with a variety of issues, most significantly, trying to bring down gasoline prices that in many areas have surged past $4 a gallon.
Republican National Committee chairman Reince Priebus tried to turn the tables on Obama, saying: “Unfortunately, his campaign politics and talk about birth certificates is distracting him from our number one priority - our economy.”
Former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney, who is raising money to run for the Republican nomination to challenge Obama, said on Twitter: “What President Obama should really be releasing is a jobs plan.”
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Comments (4)
To the Sheeple of theWorld.
But in fact his place of birth is important as the US constitution states the president of the US must be an American born citizen. His big mistake was in not offering to show the certificate up front, thus giving Trump an opportunity to make hay from this situation. Despite what those not residing in the US think, it really matters not a jot as they don't live there, nor do they suffer the appalling consequences of the miss-management of the country under the administration of this man. After he made the comment on taking care of 'serious stuff', he took himself and his wife off to a gig on Opera Winfreys reality show. This fluff now takes precedent over the dire economic results of his demented fiscal policies? Wake up already and see what America has become under the boot of this boorish incompetent.
we
we are strangers on this earth. who is an American and who is not is not the most important thing now but our dignity and recognition of the human race. Obama should continue his good work without looking back at unnecessary comments taht retards the world.
Obama's birth certificate
Good move Mr. President.
reaction
I am really glad that President Obama has finally ended up this racist and unrespectful debate.Was it really possible to imagine a white lady giving birth in Kenya in the 1960s with all upheavels ongoing at the time in this continent?Why those who alleged the facts could not indicate the name of the hospital where Obama was born in Kenya as well as the town? Has Obama's mother been once in Kenya in the 1960? This debate is merely dreadful!
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