Florida Dems To Posey: Drop The Birther Bill

[babylonsister]

A for effort.


http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2009/07/florida-dems-to-posey-drop-the-birther-bill.php?ref=fpc

Florida Dems To Posey: Drop The Birther Bill
By Eric Kleefeld - July 28, 2009, 11:08AM


In the wake of last night's vote by the House to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Hawaii's statehood -- and its status as the birthplace of President Obama -- the Florida Democrats have put out a statement challenging Rep. Bill Posey (R-FL) to drop his proposed legislation to require birth certificates from presidential candidates.

The Florida Dems' statement cites Posey's own vote in favor of the Hawaii resolution, contrasting that with his being the lead sponsor of the widely-ridiculed "Birther Bill":

Now that Rep. Bill Posey not only allowed the House of Representatives to certify the Presidential Election in January, but he also voted last night in Congress to declare President Barack Obama was born in Hawaii, the question he needs to answer today is: Will Bill Posey withdraw his crazy bill questioning President Obama's citizenship?

Because the people of Florida's 15th District need a Congressman focused on creating jobs and fighting for NASA, hopefully last night's vote shows that Posey has finally taken off his tinfoil hat and will finally get to work on the issues that matter.

Late Update: Posey spokesman George Cecala told me that Posey will not withdraw the bill, and it is not a personal slight against President Obama -- citing Posey's vote for the Hawaii resolution as evidence. Instead, it's about ensuring transparency and disclosure as a general principle for an issue that has come up multiple times throughout American history for politicians like Chester Arthur, Charles Curtis, John McCain and others.

"Quite honestly, the bill was never about Barack Obama and Mr. Posey, and I think that's true as to what our original statement was back when we introduced the bill," said Cecala. "The bill is simply about implementing the Constitution through legislation, and Mr. Posey is not going to withdraw the bill."

[crim son]

1. I understand this bill IS about Obama

and that it may be a waste of precious time, but what is the problem? It does seem reasonable... I have to show my birth certificate whenever I get my passport renewed, etc. Yeah, I know I'm missing something here. Tell me what it is.

[benddem]

2. and so did Obama

the whole thing is nothing but racism. They are unhappy that this black man is president.

[babylonsister]

3. He's feeding the racist dementia in the GOP, for starters.

He's also concentrating on this and not doing his job. The rethugs haven't even produced a health care bill.

Nothing is wrong with it on its face, but all the evidence they could possibly need is out there that Obama is an American citizen, yet this is the result.

Maybe he should just go ahead with this and remove all doubt that he's whacked.

[crim son]

7. It does seem like he's taking a risk

but among the repug nutjob base, he's just doing his job. I know a number of republicans who don't want to have a thing to do with this whole issue, it's that insane.

[safeinOhio]

4. Amend it to take effect in 2024

Then I'll buy that argument.

[Democrats_win]

5. Crackpots in congress should be illegal.

[crim son]

8. Never gonna happen.

Alas.

[BlueIdaho]

6. Birthers, Tea Baggers...

Its all thinly veiled racism. These supremacists can't cope with an inclusive America embracing its future.

[crim son]

9. I agree.

Hasn't Obama already made the certificate public? I mean, during the runup to the election... obviously he's had to prove his citizenship in the past. I guess that's the point, eh?