Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Ninth Circuit hears oral arguements in NBC Eligibility Cases
Ramona.Patch.com ^ | May 2, 2011 | Julie Pendray

Posted on 05/03/2011 5:48:44 AM PDT by wtd

Uncharted Waters—Ramona Attorney Back in Court Over Obama Citizenship

Uncharted legal waters.

That's how Ramona attorney Gary Kreep summed up the judicial dilemma surrounding the question of whether President Barack Obama is eligible for his office and how Americans should generally deal with an eligibility issue once a president takes office.

On Monday, Kreep and lawyer Orly Taitz of Rancho Santa Margarita once again asked the courts to allow them to present their cases and bring evidence in their fight to show that Obama isn't a U.S. citizen.

It's not a simple request.

At this stage, the court isn't hearing details about what Kreep and Taitz may have found as evidence. This phase involves convincing the courts that judges have the right to rule on eligibility matters.

Taitz and Kreep's cases were dismissed by the U.S. District Court in Santa Ana in 2009 because the judge didn't believe the court had the jurisdiction to decide the eligibility of the president.

But if the courts don't, who does?

The answer, according to Deputy U.S. Attorney David Dejute, is Congress. Dejute represented Obama in Monday's oral arguments at the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Pasadena.

But that wasn't the final answer either.

Judge Marcia Berzon raised the 20th Amendment. “If there's a difficulty regarding eligibility, Congress shall decide by law,” she said.

“By law,” she repeated, which would seem to imply that the courts have to get involved. Or not.

“The courts need to be involved to enforce the constitution,” Kreep argued.

“That's not the issue,” Dejute told Berzon. “The candidates don't have standing.”

Kreep represents two members of a small, conservative Christian political party called the American Independent Party. His plaintiffs, Wiley Drake and Markham Robinson, feel that the playing field in the 2008 presidential election wasn't fair because Obama, they believe, won the race without having the requirements to hold the job. His candidacy eclipsed their effort because of the size of their party, but the election wasn't fair if he wasn't eligible, they claim.

Standing means eligibility to bring a case before the courts. Dejute and at least one judge questioned whether the general public can come into court and complain about another candidate's eligibility after that person has been sworn into office, just because they didn't get elected.

Kreep stood his ground. “This is about the Constitution,” he argued. “The public has a right to enforce the Constitution.”

Even if the public can go into court to argue these types of matters, sometimes that right may have limitations, such as timing, according to Berzon.

“You did not file a claim at the time when relief might have been plausible,” she told Kreep. Taitz filed the original case, which was split when two plaintiffs were removed and began working with Kreep instead. She filed the case on Inauguration Day “before Obama did anything as president,” she said. But the judges questioned whether that was too late.

“There's no point arguing eligibility when someone hasn't been elected and if we wait until after the election, we're too late,” Kreep contended. “We don't know who's going to be elected.”

One of the judges and the Deputy U.S. Attorney concurred that the judiciary is likely responsible for these types of matters until a person is elected and then the responsibility rests with Congress.

The judges asked Kreep what he would want as the ultimate relief.

“Our expectation is that Obama would vacate the office and Vice President [Joe] Biden would become president,” he replied.

Relief means the actions or awards that could be possible to remedy an “injury.” Kreep contends the injury is that his clients couldn't get elected.

The judges on Monday also questioned the "political question" involved in the cases.

“It's a ‘yes’ or ‘no’ question,” Kreep stated. “Is the person eligible or not, based on evidence? We disagree with Judge Carter [of the federal court] that it's a political question.”

All-in-all, the public got a lesson in U.S. Constitution 101 on Monday but no one knows where the discussion will lead because this exact type of case hasn't come up before.

There's a way to remove a president from office. Impeachment. However, Kreep argued, if the president was never eligible in the first place, then he isn't really president, so impeachment wouldn't apply.

“Nobody is willing to take on this issue,” Kreep told the three judges. “John McCain was the subject of congressional hearings on whether he was eligible and a ruling was issued. Why McCain and not Obama?” he asked.

Three attorneys flew in to help Kreep prepare for oral arguments. Phil Berg came from Philadelphia and Tom Smith flew in from Tennessee. Both attorneys have worked on similar cases. The third lawyer asked to remain anonymous.

Berg said it's always hard to know how judges will decide but he, like Kreep, hopes the appellate judges will remand the case back to the federal court for a judge to decide. He said the attorneys need a chance to do discovery and bring evidence.

Taitz represents 30 clients, some of whom are in the military and one is an ambassador. She said her case needs to be overturned due to errors made by the U.S. District Court judge. She also said that there has been undue influence from the U.S. Attorney's Office and the White House in the judicial proceedings so far, referencing a friend of the White House who she says was “placed as a clerk” for the federal court judge.

“I'm from the Soviet Union,” she said. “I would expect that there but not in the United States.”

As she wrapped up, Taitz said, “We went to Congress and the Joint Chiefs of the military. We exhausted all our avenues. Mr. Kreep is right. The courts need to decide.”

Dejute told the judges that the U.S. Attorney's Office was basing its case on two issues: “They need to show injury and they don't have standing.” No one from the office would offer comments following the arguments.

After the hearing, a group of people surrounded Taitz as she displayed copies of several personal documents that she said Obama has provided the public. She talked about what she believes are discrepancies.

John Florance from Simi Valley was among the general public at the hearing. The 61 year old took a day off work in the wholesale produce industry. He said, “I'm just a frustrated witness. Government employees aren't saying anything. The silence is deafening. Why don't they just bring it out in the open and deal with it?”

A Rancho Mirage woman, Pat Levy, turned out in support of Taitz. She described herself as a retired business owner.

The panel of three judges will take an indeterminate time to issue a ruling.

Tom Smith, the attorney who flew in from Tennessee, said there have been about 100 lawsuits filed nationwide over the question of the president's eligibility. According to Phil Berg and Kreep, these two cases in California are the only ones to make it as far as oral arguments. If the appellate court sends the cases back to the federal court, Kreep anticipates that the U.S. Department of Justice will file a writ with the Supreme Court to block them.


TOPICS: Constitution/Conservatism; Government
KEYWORDS: certifigate; court; lawsuit; naturalborn; naturalborncitizen; ninthcircuit; obama; taitz
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-34 next last
Uncharted waters, indeed! At this stage, the court isn't hearing details about what Kreep and Taitz may have found as evidence. This phase involves convincing the courts that judges have the right to rule on eligibility matters. MEGA Kudos to these folks for pushing forward until these thorny issues are addressed, legal remedies are established and followed through for future elections.
1 posted on 05/03/2011 5:48:49 AM PDT by wtd
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: advertising guy

ping


2 posted on 05/03/2011 5:59:40 AM PDT by Clint N. Suhks (You go to war with the President you have Not the President you wish you had. D Rumsfeld)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: wtd
"The third lawyer asked to remain anonymous. "

Just a guess ... Mark Levin.

3 posted on 05/03/2011 5:59:45 AM PDT by knarf (I say things that are true ... I have no proof ... but they're true)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: wtd

Ninth Circus. Does anyone have any doubts about how this is going to come down?


4 posted on 05/03/2011 6:12:39 AM PDT by fhayek
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: wtd; OldDeckHand; ding_dong_daddy_from_dumas; stephenjohnbanker; DoughtyOne; Gilbo_3; NFHale; ...
RE “At this stage, the court isn't hearing details about what Kreep and Taitz may have found as evidence. This phase involves convincing the courts that judges have the right to rule on eligibility matters. Taitz and Kreep’s cases were dismissed by the U.S. District Court in Santa Ana in 2009 because the judge didn't believe the court had the jurisdiction to decide the eligibility of the president. But if the courts don't, who does? The answer, according to Deputy U.S. Attorney David Dejute, is Congress. Dejute represented Obama in Monday's oral arguments at the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Pasadena.

Impeachment. Duh ! The idea that a federal judge can remove a president because someone claims he is not really the president is ridiculous.

5 posted on 05/03/2011 6:13:10 AM PDT by sickoflibs ("It's not the taxes, the redistribution is the federal spending=tax delayed")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: wtd

It’s over. Deal with it.


6 posted on 05/03/2011 6:14:44 AM PDT by Virginia Ridgerunner (Sarah Palin has crossed the Rubicon!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: knarf

I doubt Mark Levin has anything to do with this case.


7 posted on 05/03/2011 6:18:28 AM PDT by ConjunctionJunction
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: ConjunctionJunction
That was such a great Saturday morning filler ... loved it.
8 posted on 05/03/2011 6:21:15 AM PDT by knarf (I say things that are true ... I have no proof ... but they're true)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 7 | View Replies]

To: knarf

I think I must have missed something. Saturday morning filler?


9 posted on 05/03/2011 6:24:28 AM PDT by ConjunctionJunction
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 8 | View Replies]

To: wtd
The answer, according to Deputy U.S. Attorney David Dejute, is Congress

LOL!

Watching the three branches of government play 'hot potato' with this issue has gotten ridiculous.

Congress and the electors had their chance before the election.

Now, it's the judiciaries turn.

-----

However true, therefore, it may be, that the judicial department is, in all questions submitted to it by the forms of the Constitution, to decide in the last resort, this resort must necessarily be deemed the last in relation to the authorities of the other departments of the government; not in relation to the rights of the parties to the constitutional compact, from which the judicial, as well as the other departments, hold their delegated trusts. On any other hypothesis, the delegation of judicial power would annul the authority delegating it; and the concurrence of this department with the others in usurped powers, might subvert forever, and beyond the possible reach of any rightful remedy, the very Constitution which all were instituted to preserve.
James Madison, Report on the Virginia Resolutions

The judiciary at this point is the only one capable of stating the current pResident is not a legitimate authority.

10 posted on 05/03/2011 6:35:53 AM PDT by MamaTexan (I am ~Person~ as created by the Law of Nature, not a 'person' as created by the laws of Man)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: knarf

what about fraud...don’t the courts have an obligation to hear cases concerning fraud...if this isn’t a case that borders on fraud then what does?


11 posted on 05/03/2011 6:42:42 AM PDT by ldish (Looking forward to Independence Day)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: ConjunctionJunction
Conjunction Junction, Multiplication Rock ... I saw all those on Saturday mornings during the morning cartoon blitz.

As a matter of fact, when zero was inaugurated, "My hero zero" (from Multiplication Rock) wouldn't stop running around my head.

12 posted on 05/03/2011 6:46:21 AM PDT by knarf (I say things that are true ... I have no proof ... but they're true)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 9 | View Replies]

To: knarf

LOL!


13 posted on 05/03/2011 6:48:01 AM PDT by ConjunctionJunction
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 12 | View Replies]

To: knarf
"Just a guess ... Mark Levin. "

Mark Levin believes that birthers are the absolute scourge of the conservative movement. He's embarrassed about it to such a degree that he hangs up on anyone who brings it up.

14 posted on 05/03/2011 6:51:48 AM PDT by OldDeckHand
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: sickoflibs

Unless I am mistaken the Court does have power to determine
Constitutionality. The written Constitution(not the straw man you suggest) speaks of Natural born citizen” as qualification for the Office. The term had a specific meaning when adopted and ought be understood by that meaning even today. The motivation for the use of that specific term seems to be criterion of allegiance. And as there is ample evidence that the only “allegiance” manifest by Obama thus far has been to the forces intent upon the destruction of America.I can only conclude he remains ineligible. It seems to me the Courts very well have power to decide if Congress acted appropriately -and vetted the eligibility before he was sworn in.The lower Courts that dismissed the issue as decided by the tweets and twits posted during the campaign clearly have resolved Nothing.


15 posted on 05/03/2011 7:03:42 AM PDT by StonyBurk (ring)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 5 | View Replies]

To: MamaTexan
The judiciary at this point is the only one capable of stating the current pResident is not a legitimate authority.

pResident. Love it.

"Legitimate Authority"
Subtle point. IMHO, The SCOTUS can find him ineligible to have run for the office. Period. After that, he is within Congress' jurisdiction. Congress may use the SCOTUS ruling to remove him. Or not.

The main effect of such a ruling would be to force the Democrats NOT to offer him as a candidate, and if somehow they were to do that, give AG's a powerful reason to keep him off the ballots in the states.

BTW, read both briefs. Kreep's appears sound. Orly's much less so. But again, the issue in this hearing was about whether or not the court should consider having a hearing.

16 posted on 05/03/2011 7:09:12 AM PDT by Kenny Bunk (We live in America's "Awkward" Era. Too late to fix the country. To early to start shooting.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 10 | View Replies]

To: StonyBurk
RE :”Unless I am mistaken the Court does have power to determine Constitutionality. The written Constitution(not the straw man you suggest) speaks of Natural born citizen” as qualification for the Office

But it does not mention ‘birth certificate’ anyplace and so far no states have passed specific eligibility requirements into law that would stop him from running in 2012. Something that like would have worked before he was sworn in, Once he or any president is sworn in there is one option only to remove him:Impeachment. No shortcuts. The official acceptance of Obama as president came from congress. No judge can overturn that.

17 posted on 05/03/2011 7:17:33 AM PDT by sickoflibs ("It's not the taxes, the redistribution is the federal spending=tax delayed")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 15 | View Replies]

To: knarf

I doubt Mr. Levin would be involved even anonymously.


18 posted on 05/03/2011 7:28:04 AM PDT by mcshot ("...of the people, by the people, for the people..." but we aren't "his people".)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: StonyBurk; OldDeckHand
Back in early 2005 the liberal BCC in the House with Boxer in the Senate held up the acceptance of the GWB electors acceptance claiming election fraud in Florida and Ohio until a vote was made by both houses rejecting the challenge. I know of no such attempt that was made in January 2009 by congressional Republicans over Obama.

I think I understand the birther strategy: while claiming constitutional purity shop around for a lone wolf judge that will make a decision that will get in the papers and media they way CA marriage amendment was by the liberals and other challenges to laws with single judge rulings. I had a few tell me :'It only takes one judge'.

But a serious attempt to defend 'the constitution' would be to work it through congress. Or changing state election laws before 2012.

19 posted on 05/03/2011 7:47:46 AM PDT by sickoflibs ("It's not the taxes, the redistribution is the federal spending=tax delayed")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 15 | View Replies]

To: Kenny Bunk

...The SCOTUS can find him ineligible to have run for the office. Period. After that, he is within Congress' jurisdiction. Congress may use the SCOTUS ruling to remove him. Or not.  The main effect of such a ruling would be to force the Democrats NOT to offer him as a candidate, and if somehow they were to do that, give AG's a powerful reason to keep him off the ballots in the states.

I agree with your assessment, above.  However, would it be the state AG or the state Secretary of State who would be primarily responsible for disallowing a candidate's name from being on a presidential ballot in said state?

 

 


20 posted on 05/03/2011 7:52:38 AM PDT by Let_It_Be_So
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 16 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-34 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson