State may join push for presidential hopefuls to submit birth certificates [Indiana]

Indiana may become the latest state to hop on the Donald Trump-led birther bandwagon.

State Sen. Sue Landske, R-Cedar Lake, has asked legislative leaders to assign a review of the qualifications of presidential candidates to a General Assembly study committee she will preside over this summer.

Trump and others have questioned whether President Barack Obama meets the requirement of natural born citizenship necessary to be president. They contend Obama's certificate of live birth issued by the state of Hawaii, showing he was born there, is inadequate.

"It's an interesting issue. People do have questions, and I think we need to clarify the issue and try to put some of those questions to rest," Landske said.

Senate Bill 114, sponsored by state Sen. Mike Delph, R-Carmel, would have required presidential candidates to submit their birth certificates to Indiana election officials to qualify for the ballot. That proposal did not get a hearing this session.

A similar measure in Arizona was vetoed this week by Republican Gov. Jan Brewer.

Delph said he hopes a study committee review of the topic will lead to legislation in 2012.

"It just seems to me that if we're going to require strict identification for a driver's license, surely we can take a look at the requirements for those that seek to be president of the United States," Delph said.

State Sen. Earline Rogers, D-Gary, said the claim that the president isn't an American is "a ridiculous assertion" and said Republicans shouldn't be led astray by Trump's own presidential ambitions.

"He couldn't make a success out of a riverboat casino in Gary. Can we trust him to run the entire country?" Rogers asked.

Question for those who have followed this very closely:

Is there any specific standard for qualification established at the Federal level by STATUTE. We all know what the Constitution says and that is certainly being ignored.

But if a state writes out it own interpretation of the Constitution the first line of defense by the Feds is going be Federal Law. Is there one? Or are we just winging it.

I’ve been following this very closely since at least 2008. I think we’re winging it which is why we’re in this mess. It needs resolution as of yesterday IMO or we’re toast.

I would also like to add that I am personally appalled (and have been since 2008) that we have no standards for establishing qualifications for presidential candidates. This is absolutely frightening.

Why is it that those secret service agents who are assigned presential detail have to pass through rigorous top level security clearances (yeah, not only submitting birth certificates and all records, but even their families get cross-examined) but a presidential candidate does NOT HAVE TO get a security clearance ??!?!? (SCREAMING FROM THE ROOFTOPS HERE).

For God’s sake my son-in-law has a top level clearance and even my husband and I were investigated when he married my daughter (along with my daughter I might add!) Sheez!! BUT A PRESIDENT DOESN’T HAVE TO!?!?!? ARE WE INSANE?!?!? (STILL SCREAMING FROM THE ROOFTOP!)

As of right now some po-dunk from the sticks has to go through all kinds of clearance and background checks just for his kid to play soccer, but any presidential candidate from any 3rd world hell hole doesn’t have to provide or prove a darn thing and stupid voters allow him to just waltz right in there and put his hand on the nuke button.............

We are all certifiably insane for allowing this to go on. JMO.

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