Perry dodges again on Obama birth certificate question

By: Rebecca Kaplan
Topics: Campaign 2012

COLUMBIA, S.C. --Texas Gov. Rick Perry once again dodged a question about whether he thought President Obama was born in the United States, calling it a "distraction" at a South Carolina press conference and declining to provide a direct answer.

When a reporter asked Perry if he believes the president is a natural born U.S. citizen - and thus constitutionally qualified to serve - the Republican presidential contender scolded him for asking the question.

"That is a big distraction and Americans really don't care about that if you want to know the truth," Perry said. He insisted voters want to talk about jobs.

Perry offhandedly added that he would show anyone his birth certificate. But he has raised eyebrows by suggesting that the one Mr. Obama already has made public might not be legitimate. In an interview with Parade magazine, published over the weekend, Perry waffled when asked if he believes the president was born in the United States, refusing, when pressed, to give a definitive answer and noting that celebrity real estate mogul Donald Trump thinks the birth certificate is fake.

Tuesday morning, before delivering a speech about tax and entitlement reform, he briefly discussed the Obama birth certificate issue with CNBC's John Harwood and said: "It's a good issue to keep alive" adding, "it's fun."

Minutes before Perry's press conference here, former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush told the Washington Post that the birther talk needs to stop.

"Republican candidates should categorically reject the notion that President Obama was not born in the United States. It is a complete distraction from the failed economic policies of the President," he said.

Perry has also gotten criticism from Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell and - importantly - Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad for his comments.

Perry was in Columbia to receive the endorsement of state House Speaker Robert Harrell.

Rebecca Kaplan
Rebecca Kaplan covers the 2012 presidential campaign for CBS News and National Journal.
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by fedup12 October 26, 2011 8:19 AM EDT

its very funny. Perry and his wife complain about his criticisms. Being too tough.

I think he would be a weepy mess if he had to go through something like birtherism.

BTW Birther=Idiot.

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by Progress4USA October 26, 2011 10:05 AM EDT: I wonder if he finds the criticism of his faith "fun"???

by Progress4USA October 25, 2011 11:52 PM EDT

"It's a good issue to keep alive" adding, "it's fun."
-----

What a pathetic statement. This "man" has no class or sense of decorum.

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by fedup12 October 26, 2011 8:20 AM EDT: yep.... He would probably cry if someone did this to him.


by stn_sage October 25, 2011 11:49 PM EDT: DISTRACTION?! I don't believe you can be considered a serious contender if you are unwilling to state an opinion or view on
this, one way or another!

It's a very simple question! It deserves an answer!

Either you believe the certificate of live birth that Obama forces offered in the aftermath of this controversy, which is NOT proof
even under Hawaiian law of citizenship, qualifies as proof, OR,
you do NOT!

It's that simple! So, what do you really think, Perry?!; Reply to this comment


by j40405 October 25, 2011 10:10 PM EDT: Republicans and tea partiers continue to bring this up because they have nothing real to offer. The Conservatives remind me of a bunch of bullies in high school, all failing classes but always picking on the smart kids because of their success.; Reply to this comment


by jimbom121 October 25, 2011 9:52 PM EDT: And you wonder why he's now polling at about 6%; Reply to this comment

by Danize October 25, 2011 8:29 PM EDT

The Lone Ranger strikes again! Does this mean we are in for a vice president Tonto? We could do worse...

Reply to this comment


by Former_Marine_Sgt October 25, 2011 8:57 PM EDT: Don't you mean the 'Lone Moron'?

And his sidekick 'Duuuuhhhhhh'.....

by ruffiannd October 25, 2011 5:53 PM EDT

Ths just proves Perry is not a serious candidate. He thinks he's on Springer.

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by Progress4USA October 25, 2011 6:23 PM EDT: This is what happens to you when you go visit "The Don"!


by JarHeadVet64 October 25, 2011 6:26 PM EDT: Obama is going to be on Jay Leno. Next year he'll be on either Jerry Springer or Maury Povich with Michelle beat the crap out of him for losing the election.


by tdub55 October 25, 2011 5:40 PM EDT: "It's a good issue to keep alive" adding, "it's fun."

As if we needed any more proof that Perry and his birther constituents will stoop to all-time new lows in their idiotic acts of slander, misrepresentation and moral cowardice. Pathetic, really. Only good thing is that, as many problems as Obama has in his leadership, the GOP's baker's dozen of circus sidehow lunatics, ranters and flip-floppers are sealing their own losing fate in their own arrogance and stupidity.; Reply to this comment


by anneshelby October 25, 2011 5:29 PM EDT: Perry has a problem with racism. He is so caught up in it he couldn't help taking a racist shot at a sitting president. Republicans are so desperate, this is the garbage they come up with to lose elections.; Reply to this comment