The “birther” myth about whether or not President Obama was born in the United States refuses to die, with conservative lawmakers and major media figures granting these conspiracy theorists legitimacy. In today’s White House press briefing, a reporter asked Press Secretary Robert Gibbs addressed this issue:
Q: Is there anything you can say to make the birthers go away?
GIBBS: No. I mean, the God’s honest truth is no. I mean, Bill, let’s understand this. And I almost hate to indulge in such an august setting as the White House — and I mean this in seriousness — the White House briefing room, discussing the made-up, fictional nonsense of whether or not the President was born in this country.
A year and a half ago, I asked that the birth certificate be put on the Internet, because Lord knows, if you’ve got a birth certificate and you put it on the Internet, what else could be the story? Here’s the deal, Bill. If I had some DNA, it wouldn’t assuage those who don’t believe he was born here. But I have news for them and for all of us. The President was born in Honolulu, Hawaii, the 50th state of the greatest country on the face of the earth. He’s a citizen.
When a reporter asked Gibbs why the issue keeps “coming up,” he replied, “Because for $15, you can get an Internet address and say whatever you want.” Watch it:
For more about the “birthers,” read today’s Progress Report on “The Wacko Wing.”
Transcript:
Q: I hate to bring this up, but somebody has to.
GIBBS: Uh-oh.
Q: Is there anything you can say to make the birthers go away?
GIBBS: No. I mean, the God’s honest truth is no. I mean, Bill, let’s understand this. And I almost hate to indulge in such an august setting as the White House — and I mean this in seriousness — the White House briefing room, discussing the made-up, fictional nonsense of whether or not the President was born in this country.
A year and a half ago, I asked that the birth certificate be put on the Internet, because lord knows, if you’ve got a birth certificate and you put it on the Internet, what else could be the story? Here’s the deal, Bill. If I had some DNA, it wouldn’t assuage those who don’t believe he was born here. But I have news for them and for all of us. The President was born in Honolulu, Hawaii, the 50th state of the greatest country on the face of the earth. He’s a citizen. […]
But, nothing will assuage them. There are ten thousand more important issues for people in this country to discuss, rather than whether or not the President is a citizen when it’s been proven ad nauseum.
Q: Why does it keep coming up?
GIBBS: Because for $15, you can get an Internet address and say whatever you want.