Posted on 05/18/2012 2:06:46 PM PDT by Steelfish
May 18, 2012 Jonathan Karl Ariz. Sec. of State Wants to See Proof of Obama’s Citizenship
Arizona Secretary of State Ken Bennett wants you to know that he is not a birther, but he says he wants proof of Barack Obama’s citizenship before putting his name on the Arizona ballot.
In a radio interview today, Bennett said he is just doing his job of making sure “that those people whose names are on the ballot have met the qualifications for the office they are seeking.” He says he has been trying for eight weeks to get documents from Hawaii.
In a statement just released, Bennett says: “First, I have been on the record since 2009 that I believe the president was born in Hawaii. I am not a birther. At the request of a constituent, I asked the state of Hawaii for a verification in lieu of a certified copy. We’re merely asking them to officially confirm they have the president’s birth certificate in their possession and are awaiting their response.”
(Excerpt) Read more at abcnews.go.com ...
The term “natural born citizen” is not defined in the Constitution. It is not the same as “citizenship” defined under the 14th Amendment (1868) . The Framers understood this term to mean an individual who is born to both parents who are US citizens. Obama’s Dad was NOT a US citizen.
http://www.eastvalleytribune.com/arizona/politics/article_43041898-a11f-11e1-909e-001a4bcf887a.html
Bennett, who is the state’s chief election official, said he has had multiple requests from constituents to verify the president is a “natural born citizen” and therefore eligible to hold the highest office in the land. Those requests, he said, included that he demand to see the actual birth certificate and even to go to Hawaii to do a forensic examination of it to determine its authenticity.
He said he rejected those requests. But Bennett said he learned that Hawaii has a law which allows that state to do a verification for any officials from other states who have the need.
“I downloaded the form off of Hawaii’s web site, I got a $5 money order and filled it out and basically sent it in,” he explained. “What you’re asking for really is for them to say, yes we have — or do you have — a certificate for Barack Hussein Obama II born on Aug. 4, 1961 to these parents at this place and on and on and on.”
Bennett said if he eventually gets the verification, end of the matter. And if he does not?
“I don’t think it does anyone any good to speculate the worst case scenario,” he said.
“I think Hawaii will, one way or the other ... will confirm or verify that they have a certificate for the president,” Bennett continued. “And it’s done.”
Drip, drip, drip......!
Cries of racism in 3...2...1
< underwhelmed >
< better than nothing >
The term “natural born citizen” is not defined in the Constitution. It is not the same as “citizenship” defined under the 14th Amendment (1868) . The Framers understood this term to mean an individual who is born to both parents who are US citizens. Obama’s Dad was NOT a US citizen.....
Right you are.
But Hawaii may not have a birth certificate as such. They may only have affidavits to his being born there and can only manufacture a BC on request.
Sort of what is the meaning of is? So they cannot say they have a BC. Thus no response.
IIRC, Hawaii used to register foreign births so conceivably the state could say they have a birth record for the President on file, but that wouldn't show the president was born in the US or to two citizen parents.
“Officially confirm” would lead the “official confirmer open to legal hell should he/she make a statement later proven false. I doubt anyone will stick their heads in that noose.
That said, I sure would like to see a state or 2 that refuses to put Obama on the ballot. Just the insult value would please me.
It would have been defined in contemporary works if the framers expected it to be clear. Wasn’t it the case that at least for persons born in the colonies of British parents, the child was still subject to some British laws? The framers did not want there to be a president with any such legal obligations to another country.
Hawaii has said before that they have it, so I imagine they will say so again. Worth a try, but he should demand a certified copy.
Apology in 4 3 2 1 .......
But Hawaii may not have a birth certificate as such. They may only have affidavits to his being born there and can only manufacture a BC on request.
Sort of what is the meaning of is? So they cannot say they have a BC. Thus no response....
Sorry to respond to myself but this ties in with what the Hawaiian Governor said that his birth was written down. That could mean he was born in Kenya but people have sworn he was born in Hawaii.
They have made it simple because they already know that HI can’t respond, otherwise they will either get it from the administration for saying “no” or getting in legal hot water for saying “yes” - opening themselves up to prosecution. and don’t forget that it becomes within Sheriff Joe’s jurisdiction if they lie. Next step, all candidates are required to provide a certified BC. Everyone else will do it without problem. Of course they cannot provide the “forged” one. They could be prosecuted for trying to pass off a forgery. They would have to provide another. But then, everyone will wonder what the big deal is. All the other candidates provided proof with ease.
Backed into a corner.
Since the state of HI cannot be trusted, they will probably say yes.
Check and Mate.
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