Boehner on Birthers: "It's Not Up to Me to Tell Them What to Think"

House Speaker John Boehner was asked by NBC's Brian Williams today about how much responsibility he feels for an incident on the House floor this morning in which an apparent "birther" yelled out from the gallery while the Constitution was being read.

As Rep. Frank Pallone (D-N.J.) read the portion of the Constitution mandating that only a "natural-born citizen" may be president, a woman in the gallery shouted, "Except Obama, except Obama." You can watch the video at left.

Williams noted that 12 Republicans are co-sponsoring legislation expressing concern about Mr. Obama's birthplace, and asked Boehner if he would be willing to say, "this is a distraction, I've looked at it to my satisfaction. Let's move on."

"The state of Hawaii has said that President Obama was born there," the speaker responded. "That's good enough for me."

Williams asked if Boehner would be willing to express that same message to the dozen Congressional Republicans who don't seem to feel it's good enough for them.

"Brian, when you come to the Congress of the United States, there are 435 of us," Boehner responded. "We're nothing more than a slice of America. People come, regardless of party labels, they come with all kinds of beliefs and ideas. It's the melting pot of America. It's not up to me to tell them what to think."

Other highlights from the interview, which will appear on the "NBC Nightly News with Brian Williams":

Boehner on his smoking habit: " You know, it's a bad habit. I wish I didn't have it. But I have it... I've tried to quit -- from time to time. But not for a while."

On what he does for strength: "I pray. I pray from the moment I wake up, I may pray all day long. Because it's, you can't do this by yourself. Can't do it....I get strength every day just, uh, going to my Facebook site. You know, people having conversations with people. It doesn't make a difference anymore what airport I go to or what restaurant. You talk to Americans. And you learn from them. And I'm humbled by the confidence that they have in me."

On whether his emotional displays - which have included crying - are a distraction: " No. Listen, it's who I am. You know, there are some things I feel very strongly about. And you probably heard that I don't take myself very seriously. But I take what I do very seriously. And when it comes to kids. When it comes to my own family. Soldiers. You know, I get, I feel very strongly that I want America to be the country that I grew up in. A country where you really do have opportunity."

On if he can name a program he would cut from the budget (after being asked if the Defense and Homeland Security budgets are "sacred"): "I don't think I have one off the top of my head. But there is no part of this government that should be sacred. I believe there's room to find savings in the Department of Defense. "

On what people should expect from the government: "Well clearly, I believe in the safety net. You know, we live in a competitive society. We live in a capitalist society. For those who can compete and do well, fine. Some Americans can't compete. I think we have a responsibility as a people to help those who can't compete. But do we have a responsibility to help those who won't compete? I would have serious doubts about that."

[levelheadedtoo]

I am going to give congressman Boehner some time to get started in his job. As the minority leader he had to get as much mileage as he could for the GOP. He did it by blocking everything, even the legislation that was good for America because that is what the GOP investors ordered him to do. Now he is in charge of the agenda for all Americans not just the right wingers ,the extreme right wingers, birthers and baggers. If he pulls the same 'just say No" crap he and the GOP will be out in two years. If they succeed it blocking Health Care reform, he will loose almost all of the boomers and that is a big block of votes. So go ahead and take back the medicare improvements for seniors, take back the health insurance pre-existing conditions exclusion for children, take back the Rx donut hole provision in Plan D, and eliminate the tax breaks for small business insurance. The health care industry paid allot for this congress and they expect their returns.

[wjd94]

The republicans just said no for the last 2 years and took over congress - why would they be out in another 2 years by just saying no to the same crap that could not succeed in blocking. By the way, don't try to speak for most baby boomers - not all baby boomers are looking for free handouts.

[MurdochSucks]

Then you would approve of moving the SS and Medicare eligibility age to 85, I assume. When SS was created the eligibility was 65 and still is, even though life expectancy has gone from 62 when enacted to 82. Why should boomers who live 20 years longer than their counterparts be allowed to live off the government dole for those extra 20 years? Makes no sense, it is a sense of entitlement. But don't let the facts get in the way of your Republican rhetoric.

[BradNoley]

Sure you can BOOOhner. You are the number 3 guy in line to running the country. Get a backbone and put down the birthers. By the way, stop crying.

[wjd94]

Birthers are nuts, democrats are nuts, republicans are nuts, anyone reading this is nuts - everybody happy now?

[mecury69]

factcheck.org. They closed this controversy years ago.

You can see the birth certificate as well as statements from experts verifying it's real.

I wouldn't present it either just like I wouldn't let a police officer search my car or home without some probable cause. Prove your case to a judge and get a warrant.

[san850]

GeirSmith...I see your spaceship hasn't picked you up yet. Hopefully, it will arrive soon and take you back to your home planet.

[mecury69]

Actually, yes it is. As a 'leader' it's your responsibility to exactly that.

[mecury69]

Actually, I made a mistake on this post.

It is no ones responsibility to tell people how to think. But as a responsible leaders, none of them should intentionally allow a lie to go unchecked.

John McCain gained a lot of respect from me for correcting the 'Muslim' accusation one of his supporters shouted at an election rally.

[JV1970]

Obama could settle this argument once and for all by just releasing his long form birth certificate. I think he's hiding something or he'd want to end this argument.

[MurdochSucks]

Who was the last president to release his long form birth certificate? Don't you think that if he gives in to mad conspiracy theories he will only be giving you Birthers credence to come up with more crap? It's just a waste of time, and it is a racism-backed request.

[MurdochSucks]

Besides, he has already shown it. The Governor of Hawaii has authenticated it, and it is available online from factcheck.org. If he showed you any certificate it wouldn't be enough. You could be transported back to the past to see his birth for yourself and still not let it go. You will believe what you want to believe regardless of facts.

[bobnjersey]

["Brian, when you come to the Congress of the United States, there are 435 of us," Boehner responded. "We're nothing more than a slice of America. People come, regardless of party labels, they come with all kinds of beliefs and ideas. It's the melting pot of America. It's not up to me to tell them what to think."]
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john ... when you define policy via the legislation you promote and pass ... you're telling the american people how to think ... and how to live ... whether they agree with it or not.

having reps who believe that the earth is 10k years old ... and the current sitting president is not eligible ... is shameful. you should be telling them to shut up ... and stop wasting the time and bandwidth of the representative process on this nonsense.

[newsbarn]

So its not boehners job to tell them how to think? Then why, every time they try to pass a bill, does he tell them how to vote? Whether they believe in the bill or not, the speaker will try and make them think differently about that bill, in order to get their vote. Thats telling them how to think, isnt it?

[san850]

by bsteadman1 January 7, 2011 8:13 AM EST
"We need to demand that Congress fully investigate Obama's eligibility to hold the office of President, to which he was elected."
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...and I read that Boehner wasn't born in Ohio, but was adopted from a small, obscure village in Mauritania...in western sub-Saharian Africa. He was apparently born to Nomads, who eventually got jobs in a Tang factory...thus the "orangeness". I DEMAND to see the long form of his birth certificate.

Attention bsteadman1...This is just how ridiculous your rhetoric and falsehoods sound.

[crazyname]

There is something rotten in Hawaii, and with the Chicago influence, I would not put anything past Obama's supporters!