Let me be clear up front that I believe Obama was born in Hawaii. I saw the evidence turned up at the time by a lawyer on the McCain camapaign. I should add that the same lawyer had to investigate McCain’s place of birth to confirm that he was born on American soil. He actually interviewed Senator McCain’s dear old elderly mother to record her memories of giving birth on a military base in Panama.
All of that said, while the media focuses on attacking Donald Trump and the birthers (and Republicans), the question remains: Why did it take the president so long to release a document he apparently had all along? It’s strange.
The answer to that could offer an interesting look into the president and his White House, if the press were inclined to find out. Is it because President Obama has a streak off stubbornness? Remember the flag pin controversy and his initial refusal to wear one because he said didn’t like outward displays of patriotism?
There’s also the continuing controversy over his infrequent church attendance and refusing to join any specific congregation. He claims it’s because he would make too much of a ruckus, even though past presidents have chosen a church, and despite the fact that more Americans believe now than when he was first elected that he’s Muslim. Why doesn’t he just start dropping in to church a little more often? Even Clinton went to church and held a Bible in the middle of impeachment.
Other questions the media could ask: Did President Obama release his certificate because advisers were starting to worry that the issue was starting to take root? (See the USA Today poll that found only 38 percent Americans were certain Obama was born in the U.S.) Conversely, did they wait to release this document because they believed the ongoing controversy was hurting and discrediting Republicans?
Anyway, this episode raises some interesting questions about the politics and personality of President Obama — and, of course, the fact that two years on, it took a reality-show/game-show host to do what the Washington press corps could not, or apparently would not.