This morning, Barack Obama finally released his long form birth certificate… 2 ½ years after entering the office of President…
‘Bemusement’? ‘Puzzled’? Seriously?! Why is it so bemusing or puzzling that Americans would like to know if the man they’ve elected President is constitutionally qualified to hold the office, particularly when questions were raised prior to his election? I’m puzzled and bemused that it’s taken so long!
ABC reports on Trump’s response: "Our president has finally released a birth certificate," he said. Obama "should have done it a long time ago. Why he didn't.... I don't know." Well, I’ve got a few ideas. Because of the contentious nature of this president, it shouldn’t surprise anyone that if something is demanded of him, particularly when that comes down to divulging personal information, this guy would rather pursue the path of community agitator over honest representative, wasting the time, energy, money and focus of those that might otherwise pledge these resources towards fighting his destructive policies. Also though, the man is facing a tough re-election bid, despite what the media trumpets, so perhaps this is his perceived ‘come clean’ moment. Or it could have also just come down to poll numbers.
A couple of other observations arise, not about the birth certificate per say, but about the delivery of this press event. He talks about the problems that face our nation, and how we need to tackle them in a serious and bipartisan way. Yet, every display that we’ve seen over the past few weeks, particularly towards Ryan’s budget, have been volatile insults launched at Republicans that lead to anything but bipartisanship. He speaks of ‘distraction’. Can we say ‘golf’, ‘vacations’ or ‘parties’? He speaks of not being able to solve problems because of time spent “vilifying each other” and “making stuff up” and pretending “facts are not facts.” Umm, has he actually heard the vitriolic speeches that he’s espoused on his current campaign trail, some of which I'm sure he'll give this very week, perhaps on this very day?! As Jake Tapper points out, he couldn't even get his own facts straight in this address! Has this man not been the enabler of the ‘sideshows’ and ‘carnival barkers’ that he speaks of? What arrogance and condescension!
So now, Obama wants to get back to serious matters, “I’ve got better stuff to do.” You know, like flying to Chicago for an Oprah interview, then on to New York for more campaign appearances! You’re right about one thing, Mr. Obama…"We don’t have time for this silliness.” But you can guarantee more, particularly when it comes to releasing those school transcripts that'll probably take another 2 1/2 years...after he's out of office, God willing!
