October 2008:
http://hawaii.gov/health/about/pr/2008/08-93.pdf
“...have personally seen and verified that the Hawai‘i State Department of Health has Sen. Obama’s original birth certificate on record in accordance with state policies and procedures.”
Basically - “we have records.” But does not say - “born in Hawaii”. So at this point NO ONE from Hawaii - including Brian Schatz, head of Hawaii Democratic Party - had declared Obama born there. I point that Brian Schatz did not because legally he was supposed to - when Obama/Biden ticket is put on the ballot. But he removed standard wording when it was done - thus forcing Ms. Pelosi to submit the statement that the ticket met constitutional eligibility requirements.
Fast forward to July 27, 2009:
http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-503544_162-5193422-503544.html
“Some Republicans have been dancing around birther issue, refusing to state flatly that the president is a U.S. citizen.”
“”They can vote for the measure, and endorse the idea that Obama was born in Hawaii, which could earn the wrath of birthers. Or they can vote against commemorating the 50th state’s joining of our blessed Union. Or GOPers can skip the vote, but that could look nutty.””
“Fifty-five members did not vote – but don’t read too much into that, as 35 of them were Democrats. “
So Abercrombie used Hawaii’s 50th statehood anniversery to put the government on the record - FOR THE VERY FIRST TIME - that Obama WAS born in Hawaii. They threatened ridicule on anyone not supporting it. 55 abstained - over half of those were Democrats.
LATER THAT SAME DAY
http://hawaii.gov/health/about/pr/2009/09-063.pdf
“...have seen the original vital records maintained on file by the Hawai‘i State Department of Health verifying Barack Hussein Obama was born in Hawai‘i and is a natural-born American citizen. I have nothing further to add to this statement or my original statement issued in October 2008 over eight months ago.”
She makes this statement in a press release out of the apparent blue. It was not in response to anything. It is just a released statement. But the statement still leaves wiggle room. It says ‘the vital records say he was born in Hawaii...’. I bet they do! Manipulated vital records can say almost anything. As they do in adoption documents. She does NOT personally claim Obama was born in Hawaii. She relies on ‘the vital record’ to make that statement. So even in July of 2009 no one PERSONALLY has yet vouched for Obama being born there.
Two days later Janice Okubo issues this email in response to one received about the July 27, 2009 statement:
Date: Wed, Jul 29, 2009 at 12:20 PM
To: Justin Riggs [email address redacted]…
Aloha Justin,
The statement was reviewed and approved by our Attorney General Mark Bennett. I am unable to provide further comment.
Janice Okubo
Communications Office
Mark Bennett has refused to substantiate this claim by Okubo.
And remember Abercrombie. Becomes governor and is going to clear all this up. Weeks later he can not find it and gives up.
No one in Hawaii has PERSONALLY vouched for Obama being born there. Okubo and Fukino may have crossed the line and would like face a jury before anyone else. But everyone else has their “get our of jail” excuse ready. No pun intended.
The public statements by Hawaiian officials are obfuscatory and ambiguous. I agree. Something is fishy in Hawaii. :)