CNN president to Lou Dobbs: Stop covering the birth certificate story
posted at 4:35 pm on July 24, 2009 by Allahpundit
Bad idea. I sympathize with him wanting to protect CNN from negative press but the surest way to feed a conspiracy theory, needless to say, is to try to suppress it. This is like Roger Ailes issuing a communique ordering Fox News not to cover 9/11 Truth. What is he hiding?
TVNewser has learned CNN/U.S. president Jon Klein sent an email to a handful of “Lou Dobbs Tonight” staffers last night regarding the coverage of the so-called birthers and the validity of Pres. Obama’s birth in the U.S.
In part, Klein writes, “It seems this story is dead- because anyone who still is not convinced doesn’t really have a legitimate beef.” Klein asked CNN researchers to dig into the question of why Obama couldn’t produce the original birth certificate. The researchers contacted the Hawaii Health Dept. and confirmed that paper documents were discarded in 2001 when the department went paperless. That reportedly includes Pres. Obama’s original birth certificate.
Dave Weigel, who’s been tracking the Birther phenomenon for months, floats a new story today about Team McCain having investigated the rumors last year and found nothing to them. Possible lines of Birther attack: McCain’s vetters were too dumb to find the smoking gun; even if they found the smoking gun, McCain’s eligibility was also in question at one point due to his being born in Panama so he couldn’t use it; McCain’s a RINO and wanted to lose so even if he did find the smoking gun, he probably destroyed it to help Obama out.
As a capper to Birther Week, here’s Matthews beating the dead horse once more with G. Gordon Liddy. Come for Liddy’s misinformation about what Obama’s grandmother really said about his birthplace, stay for E. Steven Collins’s embarrassing swooning over The One.
Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy
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You do what?
Jim Treacher on July 25, 2009 at 2:59 AM
Doo wop.
MadisonConservative on July 25, 2009 at 3:01 AM
Oh.
Jim Treacher on July 25, 2009 at 3:02 AM
Woah-oh.
MadisonConservative on July 25, 2009 at 3:03 AM
See, you do better when you don’t try so hard.
Jim Treacher on July 25, 2009 at 3:05 AM
Damn. That was me trying hard.
Shooby dooby.
MadisonConservative on July 25, 2009 at 3:07 AM
To do what?
Jim Treacher on July 25, 2009 at 3:08 AM
To boogie.
MadisonConservative on July 25, 2009 at 3:08 AM
In that case, good work.
Jim Treacher on July 25, 2009 at 3:10 AM
Shoo bop.
MadisonConservative on July 25, 2009 at 3:11 AM
See, if you’d stuck with this sort of thing to begin with, you wouldn’t be mad at me now.
Jim Treacher on July 25, 2009 at 3:12 AM
I’m mad at you?
MadisonConservative on July 25, 2009 at 3:14 AM
Why deny it?
Jim Treacher on July 25, 2009 at 3:16 AM
Because it’s not true?
MadisonConservative on July 25, 2009 at 3:18 AM
That’s one possibility, I suppose.
Jim Treacher on July 25, 2009 at 3:19 AM
Good to know.
MadisonConservative on July 25, 2009 at 3:21 AM
Hey, how do you keep a crybaby in suspense?
Jim Treacher on July 25, 2009 at 3:22 AM
By playing tough guy on the internet?
MadisonConservative on July 25, 2009 at 3:23 AM
Oooh, close. Well, I’ll tell you later. Have a great night!
Jim Treacher on July 25, 2009 at 3:25 AM
Actually, looks like that was the answer!
MadisonConservative on July 25, 2009 at 3:26 AM
The important thing is that you’re not mad at me.
Jim Treacher on July 25, 2009 at 3:31 AM
Oh goody! I thought you’d left!
MadisonConservative on July 25, 2009 at 3:36 AM
You did?
Jim Treacher on July 25, 2009 at 3:39 AM
I think so. Did I? You tell me.
MadisonConservative on July 25, 2009 at 3:40 AM
I would, but I’d probably just make you mad at me again.
Jim Treacher on July 25, 2009 at 3:41 AM
This matter is not one of these “conspiracy theories” of yours. Why do you keep repeating this nonsense? Doing so should be below your pay grade.
Joe Bloggs on July 25, 2009 at 3:41 AM
Again? Was there a first time?
MadisonConservative on July 25, 2009 at 3:42 AM
Yes.
Jim Treacher on July 25, 2009 at 3:43 AM
You’d know better than me.
MadisonConservative on July 25, 2009 at 3:45 AM
Yes, that’s been the case so far.
Jim Treacher on July 25, 2009 at 3:46 AM
I’m so glad you’re here to tell me what I feel.
MadisonConservative on July 25, 2009 at 3:47 AM
You’re welcome.
Jim Treacher on July 25, 2009 at 3:49 AM
So how do I feel now?
MadisonConservative on July 25, 2009 at 3:50 AM
Hotair has gone completely topsy-turvy with its latest parlour game
Some dress themselves in a Crown of Thorns and battle Ghosts of Straw that are evermore lame
Ranting on and on about those who just want to see their Divine One’s hidden real Birth Certificate from night to morn
They seem to think that those who think it should be shown are the Devil Himself reborn
But the Jackanapes are always runnin’ round with empty blows
It’s unfortunate to note that concern for their deteriorating mental state just grows and grows
PercyB on July 25, 2009 at 3:51 AM
Still mad.
Jim Treacher on July 25, 2009 at 3:51 AM
Wow.
MadisonConservative on July 25, 2009 at 3:52 AM
I know, I figured by now you’d have gotten over it.
Jim Treacher on July 25, 2009 at 3:53 AM
Maybe it’s a false positive, and I never really was to begin with.
MadisonConservative on July 25, 2009 at 3:55 AM
A big mistake on your part, my lad. Women never get over the slightest hint of grievance. Sometimes I think we would be better off without them.
PercyB on July 25, 2009 at 3:55 AM
Implausible.
Jim Treacher on July 25, 2009 at 3:57 AM
Darn.
MadisonConservative on July 25, 2009 at 3:57 AM
Not that I blame you for being mad at me.
Jim Treacher on July 25, 2009 at 3:58 AM
That’s nice of you. Lucky you, though. I wasn’t.
MadisonConservative on July 25, 2009 at 3:59 AM
Whoa, calm down.
Jim Treacher on July 25, 2009 at 4:00 AM
Oh, raspberries. I’m just a spitfire right now.
MadisonConservative on July 25, 2009 at 4:01 AM
You really must give the lady the last word or you will be here all night.
PercyB on July 25, 2009 at 4:01 AM
We’re just talking, everything’s fine.
Jim Treacher on July 25, 2009 at 4:03 AM
Boo.
Oh, dear. Now I really do apologize. That was uncalled for.
MadisonConservative on July 25, 2009 at 4:05 AM
I accept your apology.
Jim Treacher on July 25, 2009 at 4:11 AM
Pop quiz: How can you tell when someone has to have the last word?
MadisonConservative on July 25, 2009 at 4:11 AM
When he accepts an apology.
Jim Treacher on July 25, 2009 at 4:13 AM
You damn stupid birthers. What the hell is the matter with you? President Obama has an official Birth Certificate that anyone but a complete idiot would accept.
Joe Bloggs on July 25, 2009 at 4:19 AM
“Many people know him (Barak Obama) around the world as an honest person…”
I couldn’t stop laughing for minutes. LOL!
Theophile on July 25, 2009 at 4:24 AM
Remind me of a man.
What man?
The Man with the Power.
What power?
The Power of Hoodoo.
Hoodoo?
You do.
Remind me of a man…
Loxodonta on July 25, 2009 at 4:36 AM
Yes, dear.
Loxodonta on July 25, 2009 at 4:42 AM
Treacher, Madison… get a room. And give me a key, because this is hot!
DaveS on July 25, 2009 at 5:05 AM
Here you go. Inside the bedroom. Enjoy the action.
Loxodonta on July 25, 2009 at 5:17 AM
So oft in political wars
The disputants, I ween
Rail on in utter ignorance
Of what each other mean
And speculate about a Birth Certificate
Not one of them has seen!
Cheshire Cat on July 25, 2009 at 5:44 AM
I am more convinced that his certificate is the birth certificate of an adopted child. He may have been born in Hawaii, but I do not believe that he was born Barack Obama. He may have been born Barry Dunham, father unknown.
He is hiding this for a reason – It will destroy his cultivated facade.
Pelayo on July 25, 2009 at 8:35 AM
Possible way to settle the eligibility question in 2012
Here’s a thought folks. I believe that it is up to the states to vet the eligibility of the candidates on the ballot. I may be wrong on that but I believe that the lawsuits were against the Secretery of State for not vetting the candidates thoroughly. It seemed to be a case of everyone thinking it is the other guy’s job to do that.
So, all we need is ONE STATE TO SET UP A STRICT VETTING PROCESS in order to be on the presidential primary and general ballot. Set up a standard of proof regarding citizenship, age etc. One or more of the states pushing State’s rights would be a great candidate.
Now, imagine if we go into the primaries and say, Texas and Alaska have a strict vetting system. If OZero is legit, then no big deal.
HOWEVER, if he is a usurper, he now has a major problem. If he tries to get on the ballot he either has to falsify info or stand a chance of being exposed. If he does not get on the ballot he might squeak by the primary system when the reporters think other things are more important, such as Sarah Palins Tanning bed.
But when we come to the general election, they will have to ‘splain why the junior senator from Chicago is not on the ballot in Texas and Alaska. Big giant gaping hole in the map.
Of course, you would see lawsuits, personal destruction, cutting of federal funds to those states, holden giving a procto exam to every republican official of the state etc.
But – I THINK IT WOULD WORK. You’d probably either see barry try to grab power through some ‘crisis’ or step down for health reasons.
bullseye on July 25, 2009 at 10:02 AM
bullseye on July 25, 2009 at 10:02 AM
That’s a great idea. I think I’ll write to my rep about it.
bridgetown on July 25, 2009 at 10:24 AM
Thanks.. Not sure if you mean your Federal or State Rep. This has to be done at the state level to get the State Secretery of State or whoever monitors the election process to simply make sure that the candidates are truly eligible.
Each state makes it’s own rules for that. Remember how Nader had to fight at the state level to get on as a third party candidate.
bullseye on July 25, 2009 at 10:36 AM
OK, now that this has turned into a mediawide psychodrama to preserve Dear Leader’s crumbling media-managed, Ayers-written life story, you’d think Mr Transparency would simply authorize both of the two hospitals he claims to have been born in here to release their hospital records if he doesn’t want us to see the original long form on file.
So come on and let’s celebrate Hawaii, Barack! You can do it. Feel the love for little baby Barry the 7lb 6oz bundle of native Hawaiian-American joy to the world!
Oh wait, what? No can do? Can of worms? OK, I gotcha.
econavenger on July 25, 2009 at 11:08 AM
bullseye on July 25, 2009 at 10:36 AM
I meant the state, of course. Your entire post was about the state’s laws.
bridgetown on July 25, 2009 at 11:15 AM
Who is the Scarlet Pimpernel?
TN Mom on July 25, 2009 at 11:46 AM
AP, John McCain had nothing to worry about concerning the eligibility issue. This one fell into the same category as not calling Obama by his middle name.
Last April, at a Republican National Lawyers Association conference in Washington D.C., one of the head Lawyers for McCain lawyers stated that the McCain campaign did look into the matter of Obama’s eligibility but was satisfied with the produced documentation, which is the Certificate of Live Birth.
Of course, that thin documentation has not satisfied those, including myself, who still raise this issue. I come from the perspective of a Harvard Law graduate and practising litigation lawyer for over 30+ years who sees what little Obama has produced as inconclusive — Obama has not produced critical records — and who sees what fight Obama is putting into not producing more as consistent with there being a real problem, which there may be. Among other things, Obama has not produced the original birth certificate, his father was a British citizen, Obama attended school in Indonesia where it would not have been open to an American citizen, there is a tape of Kenyan grandmother who says Obama is a child of the village, and he travelled to Pakistan at a time when U.S. citizens were forbidden to do so.
John McCain should have taken the following approach: address Obama and say do as I have done. When the eligibility issue was raised as to McCain, McCain released all relevant documentation, including an original birth certificate and hospital records. McCain hired two prominent attorneys in Ted Olsen and David Boies to review the facts and the documentation and issue an opinion. Olsen and Boies rendered an opinion that McCain was and is eligible under the U.S. Constitution to serve as President. The U.S. Senate then passed a Senate Resolution that McCain is qualified under the U.S. Constitution to serve as President.
McCain handled the eligibility issue the way he did out of reverence for the U.S. Constitution and love of the country to which he put his life on the line as a combat U.S. Naval aviator. Obama should have been held to the same process. There was no good reason and is no good reason why not.
Phil Byler on July 25, 2009 at 11:51 AM
So has anyone invalidated the COLB yet?
Good Lt on July 25, 2009 at 12:08 PM
This says alot.
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2008/apr/19/key-witness-in-passport-fraud-case-fatally-shot/
Can’t find anymore info on it.
jollybird on July 25, 2009 at 12:14 PM
I think that someone should call a Press Conference and publicly offer Obama 500,000 to “Feed the Children” charity if he offers up his long form birth certificate.
Conservalicious on July 25, 2009 at 12:25 PM
Conservalicious on July 25, 2009 at 12:25 PM
heh…sounds like one for Rush Limbaugh
bridgetown on July 25, 2009 at 12:29 PM
Has anyone seen evidence of a functional vetting process??
This can be settled in 2012 if one or more states has the testicular fortitude to impose some reasonable vetting systems.
Image the dilema for your hero, Ozero, when he has to decide between
1. Finally showing a legitimate, verifiable proof of eligibility
2. Trying to pass off forgeries
3. Not running in that state.
THIS CAN BE SOLVED AT THE STATE LEVEL.
The only problem is that he will pack SCOTUS with a bunch of Old Octobrists. BUT, if he does that and such a case goes to SCOTUS, people will begin to see that the emporer has no clothes.
bullseye on July 25, 2009 at 12:39 PM
I think my post to Allah was lost in all the 2AM-5AM blithering between a couple of people who I think can type in their sleep. So I’ll repeat it here:
AP- you revealed your revealed your bias in the 7-20 thread “Video: Chris Matthews takes on the Birthers. What could go wrong?“ and Jim Treacher called you out on it:
.
Now you say:
.
1) AP- are you just awakening to that conclusion- after a few thousand HotAir comments on the topic in the last 4 days?
.
2) “Bad idea. I sympathize with him wanting to protect
CNN from negative presshis personal bias”. FIFY & YES, I BET YOU DO..
To you & all who BLINDLY BELIEVE Obama’s eligibility is settled law, I baptise you “BLIEFERS”
.
NEWSFLASH: “Bliefers”, you can’t put the Jeanie back in the bottle.
NightmareOnKStreet on July 25, 2009 at 12:45 PM
Allahpundit also thinks that the natural born requirement in the Constitution is a really, really stupid idea..and that Rush Limbaugh thoroughly enjoyed the flagellation he got from obama’s minions over his “I hope he fails comments”. AP is entitled.
runner on July 25, 2009 at 12:54 PM
You know what’s funny, I remember hearing a concert by the mega rich rocker who pretends he’s working class and is an ardent leftist, obama supporter – Da Boss – Springsteen. I can hardly listen to his music any more except some of the really old stuff.
Anyway, in this concert he says something like “Blind faith in something or someone can get you killed”. Yep You nailed it.. BLIEFERS..
bullseye on July 25, 2009 at 12:55 PM
.
John McCain, a decorated brave war hero/POW was put through a CONGRESSIONAL HEARING regarding his Natural Born Status.
.
McCain then had to produce his original birth certificate TO A COURT CERTIFIED FORENSIC DOCUMENT EXAMINER to satisfy the voters.
.
Barry-O gets some buddy at (DKos) to post an online copy of a COLB to “prove” his Constitutional NBC eligibility.
.
****************Now let’s review:****************
.
~War Hero VS Big Zero
.
~Congressional Hearings VS Fawning Press Conferences
.
~Orig Birth Certificate VS Online NON-Certified COLB
.
~CourtForensic Doc Examiner VS DKos’ Eyes Only
.
To (Blind Believer) “Bliefer”: GoodLt Repeat after me: THE BURDEN OF PROOF IS ON THE CANDIDATES NOT THE VOTERS OR HA POSTERS
NightmareOnKStreet on July 25, 2009 at 1:35 PM
So has anyone invalidated the COLB yet?
Good Lt on July 25, 2009 at 12:08 PM
A very convincing case has been made already about the COLB being a forgery.
http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2008/07/atlas-tech-expe.html
Conservalicious on July 25, 2009 at 1:45 PM
…which apparently was satisfactory to the McCain campaign when they investigated Obama’s eligibility. However, why trust them? It’s not like they had any interest in Obama losing.
MadisonConservative on July 25, 2009 at 1:45 PM
And yet another inconsistency:
But wait a minute. That means the Hawaii Department. of Health is now contradicting what it said in 2008:
Obviously, these two things cannot possibly both be true. They are mutually exclusive positions. Either they exist or they don’t.
I mean I know I’m only a loony birther here but…come on. Common sense has to inform even the densest of souls that something’s not quite right here.
powerpro on July 25, 2009 at 1:49 PM
…which apparently was satisfactory to the McCain campaign when they investigated Obama’s eligibility. However, why trust them? It’s not like they had any interest in Obama losing.
MadisonConservative on July 25, 2009 at 1:45 PM
Personally, after seeing how the McCain campaign was run, I don’t put much stock in any claim they make. Talk about the gang that couldn’t shoot straight…lol
Conservalicious on July 25, 2009 at 1:54 PM
Most people on here didn’t get the term:
“preponderance of the evidence”
In court, it means there’s too much circumstantial evidence suggesting foul play to just let the issue go.
Civil cases deprive people of their entire life’s savings based on “preponderance of the evidence”
It’s true a criminal case requires “beyond a reasonable doubt” but this is an immigration case, not a criminal case… which would just happen to disqualify our sitting President from governing.
scotash on July 25, 2009 at 2:25 PM
Mexico used to have a 2 generational requirement to be president, ie the prez and his/her parents had to be Mexican born. That was changed for Vincente Fox but I think it is a good idea.
Assuming THE ONE isn’t lying about his birth, the fact he was born to a Kenyan citizen troubles me. All else being equal his allegiance will be with Kenya and not the US.
angryed on July 25, 2009 at 2:31 PM
Shoot straight? Hell those fools couldn’t even find their guns.
angryed on July 25, 2009 at 2:33 PM
.
Hey bullseye, me too! He went from being a Hometown Hero to a Lib-ranting Zero. Even most of his old stuff that I grew up listening to on the boardwalk in Seaside Heights, NJ has lost its appeal… My kids used to attend all his East Coast concerts, but they’ve also gotten so sick of his political ignorance & need to “preach” instead of perform. Bleh!
.
Do you think the “Bliefer” meme will stick to all those Blind Believers? I hope so ’cause they’re DANCING IN THE DARK!!
NightmareOnKStreet on July 25, 2009 at 2:35 PM
Uh huh.
MadisonConservative on July 25, 2009 at 2:47 PM
So, you haven’t invalidated the COLB yet?
Good Lt on July 25, 2009 at 2:49 PM
His mother was an American citizen.
Good Lt on July 25, 2009 at 2:52 PM
.
Toastmasters’ Rule #1: Always know your audience.
This group of “Bliefers” (Obama’s Blind Believers) are convinced that despite Obama’s own words TO THE CONTRARY
they somehow still believe Obama could somehow still be eligible (“Bliefers” are a stubborn albeit Constitutionally ignorant bunch)
.
Dual Citizen & Natural Born Citizen ARE MUTUALLY EXCLUSIVE as well, but it ain’t gonna stop ‘em “Bliefers” from a-runnin they mouth.
.
Is he a U.S. Citizen? Probably. Native U.S.citizen? Maybe.
.
But to be a NATURAL-BORN Citizen he needed BOTH PARENTS to BE U.S. Citizens residing in U.S. AT. THE. TIME. OF. HIS. BIRTH.
.
NightmareOnKStreet on July 25, 2009 at 3:02 PM
Didn’t The One use technical devices to dipose of opponents?
Oh, it has all been said 1,000 times.
Wherever the comminity organizer was born, I know which flag he salutes, the values he holds, the morals that guide him, the mental health issues he exhibits and the limited ability he has.
I hope that the loser was born in Kenya and taught in the peoples’ reeducation camps that pass for universities in this country. The idea that our society at large produced such a creature would be quite sobering.
IlikedAUH2O on July 25, 2009 at 3:06 PM
Somebody above mentioned a National Review article that had no disernable relationship to the birth certificate controversy, in my view. I had read it before.
The John Birch Society? With a basic premise that nearly everyone in power was communist? Huh?
Naturally, Goldwater moved the conservative movement away from those early wingnuts.
But back to my point. Comparing a group of people (birthers) to the Kennedy assination conspiracy crowd, the 9/11 truthers and now the Birchers is quite a stretch.
I am going to put my tinfoil hat on and go outside in the summer sun and think about the whole thing as soon as it cools off a little bit. Global warming, you know. Gee, why have any of you worthies mentioned them as a comparison for the birthers? Lotta cement proof of that…
IlikedAUH2O on July 25, 2009 at 3:21 PM
Obama has also stated about his birth that the marches in Selma Alabama was a crucial event in ‘inspiring’ his parents to come together. “…because some people were willing to walk across a bridge in Selma Alabama. and so they got together, and nine months later, Barack Obama Jr. was born”. Pretty neat story. Problem is of course, that happened in 1965 when Obama was four.
Hmmm…what to believe from this man…?
anuts on July 25, 2009 at 3:21 PM
Oops.. hit wrong button too early…
anuts on July 25, 2009 at 3:22 PM
For this Constitutional ignorant, I am having trouble finding the article, section, and clause that covers the highlighted above. Where is it again?
anuts on July 25, 2009 at 3:24 PM
Here you go anuts..
Yeah, this seems to spell it out, and I have been a skeptic of the argument. The Pres is a fraud…
http://theobamafile.com/ObamaNaturalBorn.htm
Conservalicious on July 25, 2009 at 3:38 PM
NightmareOnKStreet on July 25, 2009 at 3:02 PM
You rule and so should the Constitution of The United States of America.
IlikedAUH2O on July 25, 2009 at 5:18 PM
.
jollybird, is this the story your talking about?
.
I’m not sure what you mean by “This says alot.” Are you talking about why people are running into so many dead ends (no pun intended- rest his soul) when they try to get info on The One?
.
I’m also not a conspiracy theorist, so it’s a stretch for me to go there. Perhaps the “Bliefers” (Blind Believers in Obama) would like to connect some Obama-”victim-y” scenerio.
NightmareOnKStreet on July 25, 2009 at 5:29 PM
The picture Mathews kept showing copies of is a certificate of live birth, not a birth certificate and no you cannot get a passport with it. They are not the same thing at all, as Liddy pointed out, rather slowwwwwlyyyy.
Mathews just talked over him.
dogsoldier on July 25, 2009 at 6:02 PM
That’s interesting and all, but the chart provided seems absent from my copy of the US Constitution.
anuts on July 25, 2009 at 6:04 PM
So are we talking about passports or POTUS eligibility?
anuts on July 25, 2009 at 6:06 PM
Even if you “Bliefers” have 8mm film of Mickey Mantle catching Obama as he emerged from his mother’s womb on second base during the 1961 World Series- IT DON’T MATTER.
.
Obama told us his Daddy was not a citizen plus his Daddy never had legal residency… and did I mention that NO ONE CAN AQUIRE Natural Born Citizenship At Birth status. You either ARE or ARE NOT… AT BIRTH..
A analogy: Obama was a male AT BIRTH and, let’s say, one day he decides he’d rather be Bill Ayer’s GIRLfriend. So he has gender-reassignment surgery and BAM! he BECOMES A FEMALE. His new legal status as a woman CAN’T CHANGE THE FACT THAT HE WAS A MALE-AT-BIRTH.
.
Sorry for any indelible images I may have created, I will return with some brain bleach forthwith…
NightmareOnKStreet on July 25, 2009 at 6:08 PM
Those are two examples of you taking Obama at his word. What kind of “bliefer” does that make you?
anuts on July 25, 2009 at 6:25 PM
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