Since you’ve done so much research on this, maybe you can help me. I just want to know two things:
1) Is it true, or not true... that in 1961, people NOT born in Hawaii could get a COLB (Certification of Live Birth). This is the only document we have seen. If it was possible that people NOT born in Hawaii could get one of these things... then, it’s NOT PROOF! So... could they? Or not?
2) Who? Which “official” government body has the responsibility for vetting such things... like, whether a candidate for Prez a NBC?? So far, all I see is... “an oath” from the candidate, and a bunch of certification from party officials. I mean, really?? Is that all that’s required?
I agree with your conclusion: This is ‘most likely’ nothing more than a ruse to keep opponents riled up and looking ‘kooky’. But, why should it be allowed? Why doesn’t the President need to offer “proof” of elgibility?? It’s not “kooky” to want to know.
Of course... if the answer to #1 above is “Not True”... then, this issue is over for me. But, that remains THE KEY question.
One of the first articles I read about the birth certificate issue was on American Thinker - it brought up this issue and quoted as evidence hawaiian law - specifically §338-17.8. I found the law online, and here is what it say:
Certificates for children born out of State. (a) Upon application of an adult or the legal parents of a minor child, the director of health shall issue a birth certificate for such adult or minor, provided that proof has been submitted to the director of health that the legal parents of such individual while living without the Territory or State of Hawaii had declared the Territory or State of Hawaii as their legal residence for at least one year immediately preceding the birth or adoption of such child… [L 1982, c 182, §1]
The idea goes that the parents/grandparents lied, the certificate was ammended and/or granted to indicate that he was born in Hawaii.
Another argument I came across is that it is possible to get a hawaiian birth certificate if a foreign born child was adopted through legal means by the parents who reside in hawaiian.
However - both laws weren't in existance when obama was born. The first was adopted in the 1980s. The second in the 1970s.
Neither reflect any light on the issue at all.
The second question - who validates presidential eligibility - I don't have an answer for. I don't know - because like y'all, I have always assumed each secretary of state did. That's a good question - and one of the loopholes that people like Congressman Campbell are trying to sew up.