It is not phony, but a live controversy. As one attorney explained it to me, when 80 attorneys can argue it, it is a live controversy and remains a live controversy until the courts settle it. Because it is "only" a constitutional issue the SC has original jurisdiction and must therefore decide the matter.
It is phony. If natural born didn't mean a child of a citizen then Romney couldn't have run, nor McCain. Trump even admitted that he started the issue because Cruz was gaining in the polls.
I've come to believe Trump is not who he claims to be. I know he's got a very dedicated following, but I think he's more like obama than a conservative. He's very vague on specifics and personally attacks those who disagree with him.
In my life I've held my nose and voted for the northeast GOP candidate and been disappointed every time. I'll only vote for conservatives now.