E-mail updates
Follow on Twitter
Subscribe to RSS
AP
President Obama addresses the press and discusses the release of a longer-form birth certificate that reaffirms he was born in Hawaii.
From NBC's Athena Jones
President Obama spoke to the press this morning after the White House released his birth certificate for a second time.
The papers -- handed out during an off-camera "gaggle" in the briefing room early today -- were described by Communications Director Dan Pfeiffer as "the president's long-form birth certificate" and the correspondence between the president's lawyer and the Hawaii State Department of Health that led to the release of the documents.
The so-called birther issue has dogged Obama since the presidential campaign and Donald Trump, a potential Republican candidate for president, has repeatedly questioned the president's place of birth in recent days.
During the morning briefing, which was also attended by White House Counsel Bob Bauer, Pfeiffer told the press that the campaign requested the birth certificate from the state of Hawaii in 2008 and posted it on the campaign web site once they received it. He said independent fact checkers had inspected the document at his campaign headquarters and "declared that it was proof positive that he was born in Hawaii."
Noting that the networks were breaking in to cover his statement, Obama said he could not get this kind of coverage for "all kinds of other discussions" like national security and went on the blast the press for focusing on an issue he believes is a distraction. Still, today's remarks were notable because they marked the first time the president has addressed the issue of his place of birth in such an extensive, public and high-profile way, despite sometimes making jokes about what his administration has treated as a fake controversy.
The president said he had "watched with bemusement" and been "puzzled" by the degree to which the issue of his place of birth has continued to make headlines, particularly earlier this month when the Republican House put forward its budget and he gave a speech about his own budget priorities.
While saying he would not normally address such an issue, he said he wanted "to make a larger point" in speaking today and to encourage the media and the American people to focus on these and other issues, like the budget debate ahead.
"I'm confident the American people and America's political leaders can come together in a bipartisan way and solve these problems," he said, before going on the warn, "We're not gonna be able to solve our problems if we get distracted by sideshows and carnival barkers."
He said, "We live in a serious time" right now and it's possible to deal with the issues in a way that will make our children and grandchildren proud.
Obama acknowledged this latest release of documents would not please everyone.
"I know that there's gonna be a segment of people for which, no matter what we put out, this issue will not be put to rest, but I'm speaking to the vast majority of the American people as well as to the press," he said. "We do not have time for this kind of silliness. We've got better stuff to do."
Pfeiffer said the birth certificate handed out to the press today was the same document that every Hawaiian receives when they contact the state to request their birth certificate and the same one they take to the Department of Motor Vehicles to get their driver's license and that they take to the federal government to get their passport. "It is a legally recognized document."
Leave a Comment:
"We're for anyone other than Obama" is what scare me. If your not on the Trump band wagon, I apologize.
There a problem when people become disatified with a current person in any leadership and will turn there attention to another, no matter how twisted, and make since out of everything they spew. Some people can hear a dog fart and turn it into a political platform
How do you think Obama was elected? Bush hate, that's how. And look what we got stuck with. He's destroying our country in so many ways. I knew during his campaign that it was a 'movement' not just an election and through my research of him back to '05 I knew he was no good. One of the first sites I found was the American Socialistic Democratic Party's "Newest Member" Barak Hussein Obama w/his photo receiving his membership card. I went back to the site a week later and the article and photo were scrubbed. But Socialist Party??? Our President??? No, no, no, no,........
Bush hate? Obama ran against McCain/Palin.
Last I checked, Obama didn't run against Bush...
You guys know what annirich is talking about!
I think this 'Release of the Birth Certificate" is nothing more than a distration. A distraction from the gas prices, inflation, wars, ceiling debt limit, our deficit and debt, and the devaluation of the dollar. It is simply a diversion. He goes on Oprah for what purpose. We're being had by this guy. Let's concentrate on getting him out of here. Oh the other thing, because the Unions are goin' down, he'll circumvent the states w/Executive Order. Same with amnesty. This guy is slick. Watch him. He is NOT for the People. Not in the least. He's for a Global Governance with International Currency.
Please tell us why high gas prices are Obamas fault. Inflation is still low and the wars were started by Bush and dumped on Obama. You wing nuts can 'concentrate on getting him out of here' all you want but he'll be reelected in 2012. The voters are already tired of the same old BS spewing out of the mouths of house Republicans. More tax cuts for the rich is not cuting it any more. Ryan's budget is DOA. The people don't want it. In the next election cycle, most of these tea party radicals will be voted out. Bet on it.
When gas prices hit record highs while Bush was in office, was it his fault? The president doesnt have anything to do with gas prices. Obama also didnt start the wars. He didnt create the economic crisis either. (which is what caused devaluation of the dollar)
Id like to know where the jobs the republicans promised after last election. Still no jobs available in my area...
We hired 1500 highly qualified engineers just this month here in Detroit. Are you actually qualified to do anything?
Yes actually I am, I have 10 yrs as an AutoCAD specialist. I did several years of mechanical engineering, as well as a few years of design. I also do high quality renders using ACAD as well as other programs. No one in my area is hiring for these things. When a job does come up, there are numerous other applicants. These people would rather hire someone who is older than me, and who is not military. I actually had one interview where the guy said I was perfect for the job, but since I couldnt be guaranteed to be here in 3 yrs he didnt want to hire me. I have been looking in Seattle thinking maybe Ill have better luck, but its so far away that the cost to get there on top of childcare may not make it worth it. (though if I found a job I would try to make the numbers work)
Having spent 10 years in our military I can understand your plight. Your more than likely going to have to move someplace where they are hiring people. I take it your an active ready reserve?
My husband is the one that is military. Because I am married to him and he might move, they wont hire me. Unfortunately we cant move because he is active duty. I am sorry, I should have clarified I was a spouse ( I usually do, but missed it in this post)
I hope the Donald runs. This man has so many skeletons in his closet he could form an army with Bruce Campbell. I hope the media rakes this SOB over the coals.
The Donald was wrong about Obama's birth so now he has to attack his academic credentials. Trump is basically attacking blacks and affirmative action but is using hidden language and BS.
Trump is basically attacking blacks and affirmative action but is using hidden language and BS.
So true. Unfortunately, there's a small but vocal segment of society that is racist and will never except blacks as equals. The ironic fact is that these haters are on the bottom rung of society, poorly educated with few social skills. As a result, when they see a black person doing well, it reminds them of their own inferiority.
As soon as these to rodeo clowns, Obama and Trump, quit arguing over petty bull$hit, maybe someone can come up with a reasonable plan to fix the economy, put together a sensible energy policy, and get control of the budget.
enough already Mr.President, stop feeding the financially rich but intellectually poor individual of the republican party and give us intelligent people the benefit of knowing a charlatan when we see one, it is sad that all the Trumpster can muster for his entry into the Presidential race is to question someone's birth certificate. It really speaks volumes about what the republicans have to challenge you with in the Presidential race while i may or may not vote for you (for I am an independent) i will definitely not vote for Mr. Trump or anyone else that does not stick to the issues the Country faces and leave this nonsense in the trash where it belongs.
Obama, March 2006: The fact that we are here today to debate raising America's debt limit is a sign of leadership failure. It is a sign that the U.S. Government can't pay its own bills. It is a sign that we now depend on ongoing financial assistance from foreign countries to finance our Government's reckless fiscal policies. ... Increasing America's debt weakens us domestically and internationally. Leadership means that "the buck stops here." Instead, Washington is shifting the burden of bad choices today onto the backs of our children and grandchildren. America has a debt problem and a failure of leadership. Americans deserve better.
I want ALL Progressive/Socialist Liberal Dems to read this. It will make for interesting conversation next week.
2006...........that would be when the economy was doing "just great" and we still couldn't get ourselves to Tax the rich and the corporate at high enough rates to balance the budget, let alone ever pay down the debt. Reining in spending is never going to eliminate a pennie of acquired debt, our discretionary spending could be cut to zero and we would still be running deficits.
I especially like this line: Increasing America's debt weakens us domestically and internationally
This coming from the guy who INCREASED our DEBT in a scant 19 months more than ALL the prezs cumlative from George Washington up and through Ronald Reagan.
Why aren't you bitching about the position Bush created for the country and for Obama?
Oh Paul, I really think you need to go study the numbers and get the hell off the Bush crap.
Annirich, you do know that under W Bush the Deficit went from five trillion to over ten trillion in eight years. Clinton handed him a balanced budget when he left office. Bush and the GOP, with some democrat help, squandered it, with an ill-advised tax cut and two unnecessary wars of choice. Obama was left to clean up the mess. The ecomomy tanked under Bush and no one president can fix it overnight. This I know for sure, we're much better off until Bush destroyed our economy. No amount of wing nut propganda can alter the facts.
No Clinton didn't; that was a fallicy. It was after the dot-com bubble; we were already headed down. then of course 9/11. Do you people really realize what Obama and the Dems have done? As I said, get off of here and start googling Obama's Debt, Deficit etc.....
The false prosperity of the dotcom bubble still produced real tax revenues. If we try to credit Clinton for a balanced budget, you either claim it was fake, or that it was real and produced by the Republican Congress. you seem to want to have it both ways. "then of course, 9/11". What??? Way to gloss over history. Cheney planned 9/11 for thirty years. Its impact on the economy was temporary and minimal. Bush and Cheney's families and friends all profitted handsomely off the "war on Terror". Ever hear of the Carlyle Group?
annirich, I give up. Facts don't seem to matter when people have an agenda. They just get in the way. By the way, you seem to decry America's so-called socialist policies. I trust you or any of your family members have never used Medicare or received social security or unemployment compensation. Afterall, they are socialist transfers of wealth, are they not? These programs are dear to the American public and any politician, who wants to alter these programs will be out of a job in no time.
http://www.factcheck.org/askfactcheck/during_the_clinton_administration_was_the_federal.html
Wait Paul....... you think 9/11 was planned by Dick Cheney? DO you per chance have a bomb shelter in your basement?
I have bomb shelters in all of my basements, yes. Only seems prudent.
Gosh,
I came in here to see if there were any new signs of intelligence among the Republicans/TP's on this vine, but just catching the last several posts from annirich and jollyoldsoul1 gives me the quick answer.
NOPE.
I'll try again later...outta here!
This birther issue is the flimiest and cartoonlike pastime of the uneducated, who rely on thir knowlege base only on 20 seconds clips of TV presentations.
Only stupid people spend months on such issue, as if the election commission of USA did not verify the documents what Obama submitted during his first candidacy as a contender of US president5ship.
These stupid blokes are in all countries, but moreso in the US tops the list
Alpha Omega
Straight Otta Kompton,CA>>>>>>>
This topic is the birth certificate????????? I guess I'll keep looking for daylight in newer pages. I can't seem to find a site with people that can stick to a topic anywhere. Would the birther issue be over with if none of us had the place to backstab strangers? I wonder.
Amen, Earnest.
Give it a break Obama should have and could have shown us it many many years ago but he was above us and thinks we are all idiots. He treats this like he treats all Americans as if we are stupid. Wake up and smell the roses we will never be the greatest country in the world anymore the one you elected is making sure that will never happen again. How many great leaders lead from behind like the one you bow to more and more. I truly feel sorry for this country and our great history. So lost and not even trying to find out the truth we are all stupid in this one.
It was up to the state of Hawaii, not Obama. He had already provided the required legal documentation long ago to the appropriate investigative bodies. To demand more of him is rather obviously racially motivated willful ignorance. Why do you want Biden to be President? Because he's not a half-black?
He did show us the proof that he had. He had to ask Hawaii to bend their rules (they had to figure out a way to not break the law) to show what people demanded, because its against Hawaii state law to release that info to ANYONE.
A lot of states dont even create "long-form" birth certificates anymore. Not even at the childs birth. All they can receive is a "short-form". All that is kept on file is a "short-form". He is treating Americans like they are acting. Children. Only children won't listen to reason and believe the obvious proof that is shown. If you have an issue with how him treating you like a child, then grow up and act like an adult.
I can't wait for Trump's men to look into Obama's social security numbers, names, and such. I will hold by opinion until then.
You'll have a long wait.
Did you even look into those items? They are all crap. Most of the ones that are claimed to be him are quite obviously not him. Also, the sources where this info was "found" was unreliable.
I have not, I will have to wait until someone else does as I do not have time to dig into this matter presently. Do you have any info on this matter you would share?
Where is the transparency?
well if you havent even looked into those things you really dont know what you are talking about, do you?
When Obama spoke of transparency he wasn't talking about his personal life.
I do not remember him saying his admninistration will have transparency on policies only. Why a Conn SS# Mr President?
Penguin,
You will come up with anything you can make up to try and attack this President. Do you have the nerve to tell us why?
He probably didn't think that people would demand so much personal information or medical records that they have absolutely no right to know.
Also, my sister has a SS# from a state she didnt live in until she was 5yrs old. She received the number before her 1st bday. How did she do that? Was it fraud? It isn't that hard to get a SS# from a state you don't currently "live" in.
Get over it.
Fletch,
I did not come up with the SS# issue. I read about it and the reason why is I am curious. Curious George was one of my favorite books as a kid.
Becca,
If he didn't think that he is naive and should have considered it before running. Maybe he received bad advise or none on this matter of being President.
Did you apply for your SS# yourself, or did you parents or grandparents present it to you after applying for you?
Becca, you have this notion that Obama is an actor? He volunteered to run America, that gives every American the right to ask him whatever we need so we can TRUST HIM. If you want a monarch that tells you what is right and wrong, there are lots of other nations you can look to. I will continue to expect answers from the civil servants I hire.
I don't remember you asking for Bush to allow a subpoena empowered, security clearanced, witness protected, investigation into 9/11/2001? Instead he only reluctantly, after a year's delay, allowed an underfunded impotent whitewash commission to create the illusion that the crime had been looked in to. Why no subpoena power? No subpoena, no truth, no cross-examination, no PROOF. Why didn't Bush allow himself to be questioned without Cheney in the same room with him? Why did neither of them testify while under oath?
So many questions you never demanded answers to, from the last administration............curious. What could motivate such a change in your behaviour?
Paul, why are you rubber stamping that one question? I won't waste my time hunting down the other person you used that on. But seriously, take up knitting, that uses two hands too. You are assuming you know the persons whole life.
I keep asking why no subpoena empowered investigation of 9/11/2001........because you keep refusing to answer that question.
Anyone reading along can see that you are afraid to even try. Which indicates that you do know that 9/11 was an inside job and you are okay with that, and its continuing cover-up.
LMAO, you never asked me that, but I have watched you beat on Fishead and Gidget with it. I liked the constitution add on as you hammered Fishead. Beccas thread makes 3 people you spewed that sentence on. I know better than to talk TO YOU Paul. Face it. You stalked me for days and all I will do is laugh at you as you jump as many people as you can. Shall I make reference to you talking about the smell of another bloggers V@g!n@ because you thought you put that person in his/her place???? In words you understand, piss off, Paul. I know your act. Sorry bloggers. Back to adult words again.
I assumed that FISHead62 was a guy. Generally when you ask a guy about his pussy, he will recognize that he is being called out on his lack of manhood.
You have a SAD..........aw..should we care that you are a little b!tch too , LEE?
Again you fail to answer the question, Why no subpoena empowered investigation of 9/11/2001?
Because you are AFRAID of the question and the only rational answer to it.
Earnest are you calling me fishhead?
Paul, my parents presented me with my SS card. You don't remember me asking for Bush to conduct a subpoena powered investigation into 9/11? I did so in my den in the winter on 2001/2002. I am sorry if you were not preset and First Read was not around then. As to your other questions I have no info on those questions, sorry. I do not believe my behavior has changed in any way over the last decade.
If he is so naive to think people wouldn't demand his private records that are protected by federal law, then why hasn't any other president had so much private info demanded of them? Maybe he didnt think people would think he wasn't born in this country. It probably never occurred to him. How is that being naive? He is shown more than enough proof that he is a natural born US citizen. The only way people like you will be satisfied is if he came out with proof he was born in Kenya. Even if there was a video of him being born in Hawaii, it wouldnt be enough. When I saw the first birth certificate that he produced I was satisfied. Mostly because his birth certificate looks exactly like my sons. I understand HIPAA laws. I don't expect to see anyones private medical info. I wouldn't want the whole world to know my full medical history, I sure as hell don't expect others to show me their medical history.
I believe he was born in Hawaii. Who said anything about private medical records?
His birth certificate is considered a private medical record
sorry Paul I thought you were asking me. I don't want to get in the middle of you and Earnest's bitch session.
Quite all right.........no harm, no foul.
An objective investigation of Obama's BC would determine it to be a fraud along with his Selective Service Card from 1980 and that SS # which 1st 3 digits at the time only issued to those who applied in CT. No matter what you think of Obama politically, we have to come to terms of getting beyond the politically noise and admitting we have a fraudster illegally occupying the Oval Office.