Before you read this diary, know this:
I don’t give a damn if Ted Cruz is eligible or not to be President. That is not what this diary is about.
Look at the above picture.
This was a billboard funded by WorldNetDaily that asked the non-rhetorical question about the birth place of President Barack Obama.
From 2008 to 2012, this was such a common demand from the Right Wing, that no-one had to have it explained to them. Everyone understood its meaning.
The demand for President Obama’s birth certificate was predicated on the stated belief that if he had not been born in the United States, then he was ineligible to be President.
The belief that President Obama was not eligible to be President rested on three different beliefs,
1) That being born outside of the United States meant he was not a “natural born” US citizen
2) That having a non-American father, meant he was not natural born
3) That having dual citizenship meant he was ineligible for office.
en.wikipedia.org/…
These beliefs were behind the four year demand that Barack Obama produce his long form birth certificate and the implicit and explicit declaration that his refusal to do so was proof he was born in Kenya and therefore ineligible to be President.
Contrary to reports of today, this was not a “fringe” theory idea from a bunch of crackpots.
In October 2008, the Orange County Register's OC Political Pulse poll found that a third of responding Republicans believed that Obama had been born outside the United States
An opinion poll carried out for Daily Kos by Research 2000 in July 2009 found that...58% of Republicans either believed that Obama was not born in the U.S. (28%) or were not sure (30%), with 42% believing that he was.
A Public Policy Polling survey carried out in August 2009 found that 32% of Republicans in Virginia thought that Obama was born in the U.S., 41% thought he was foreign-born and the remaining 27% were unsure
In a Harris Poll online survey of 2,320 adults conducted in March 2010, 25% of the respondents said they believed that Obama was "not born in the United States and so is not eligible to be president."[
In a July 2010 CNN poll of adult Americans, 16% said they had doubts that Obama was born in the United States, and a further 11% were certain that he was not.[9]
A Gallup telephone poll of 1018 adults conducted in May 2011 found that 5% of respondents believed that Obama was "definitely born in another country" and 8% believed he was "probably born in another country", ... the same poll found that 23% of self-identified Republicans, 14% of independents, and 5% of Democrats thought Obama was definitely or probably born in another country.[10]
In March 2009, Representative Bill Posey, a newly elected Republican from Florida's 15th congressional district, introduced a bill, H.R. 1503, in the U.S. House of Representatives. Had this bill been enacted into law, it would have amended the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to require candidates for the Presidency "to include with the [campaign] committee's statement of organization a copy of the candidate's birth certificate" plus supporting documentation
Posey's bill gained the support of twelve Republican co-sponsors - Representatives John R. Carter, Kenny Marchant, Louie Gohmert, John Culberson, Randy Neugebauer, Mike Conaway and Ted Poe (all from Texas), Rep. John Campbell (California), Rep. Bob Goodlatte (Virginia), Rep. Dan Burton (Indiana), Rep. Marsha Blackburn (Tennessee), and Rep. Trent Franks (Arizona).[11][12] Republican Senator Tom Coburn (Oklahoma) also stated that he would "likely support it" if the bill reached the Senate,
Alabama
Legislation introduced in April 2011 by state Senator Slade Blackwell would require any candidate running for an office with an age requirement to present their birth certificate.[17]
Arizona
On April 19, 2010, the Arizona House of Representatives voted in favor of a rider to require presidential candidates "to submit documents proving they meet the constitutional requirements to be president".[18]
Colorado
Legislation introduced in April 2011 by 11 Republican state legislators would require any elected official to provide proof of citizenship before being sworn in.[31]
Connecticut
In January 2011, Connecticut state Sen. Michael McLachlan introduced legislation that would mandate presidential and vice presidential candidates to provide their birth certificates for their names to be placed on the ballot.[33]
Georgia
In April 2010, Georgia state representative Mark Hatfield introduced legislation that would require presidential and vice presidential candidates to submit an affidavit "stating the candidate’s citizenship and age and shall append to the affidavit documents that prove the candidate is a natural born citizen, prove the candidate’s age, and prove that the candidate meets the residency requirements for President of the United States.
Indiana
In January 2011, Indiana state senator Mike Delph introduced legislation requiring presidential candidates to file a certified copy of a birth certificate along with additional documentation to be on the Indiana ballot.
Iowa
In March 2011, Iowa state Senator Kent Sorenson introduced legislation that would require presidential or vice presidential candidates to submit certified copies of their birth certificates, which would be available for public inspection.[46]
Kansas
In February 2012, a committee in the Kansas House of Representatives approved a bill that would require candidates for state and federal offices to provide proof of citizenship.[47]
Louisiana
Legislation introduced in April 2011 by state Senator A.G. Crowe and state Representative Alan Seabaugh would require candidates for federal office to file a birth certificate.[48]
Maine
State representative Richard Cebra introduced legislation requiring candidates to submit a birth certificate and government-issued identification.[50]
Michigan
Legislation introduced in April 2011 by state Representative Mike Callton would require presidential candidates to submit their birth certificates.[51]
Missouri
Constitutional amendment
Fifteen Republican members of the Missouri House of Representatives sponsored an amendment to the Missouri Constitution in March 2009 that would require "candidates who are required by the Constitution of the United States to be natural born citizens" to provide a birth certificate to the Missouri Secretary of State to confirm their eligibility.
Legislation
In January 2011, Republican State Representative Lyle Rowland introduced legislation that would require "proof of identity and proof of United States citizenship" for all presidential and vice-presidential candidates."[55]
Other
A number of Missouri Republican politicians have continued to support claims and litigation on the citizenship issue. State Representatives Cynthia L. Davis, Timothy W. Jones and Casey Guernsey have committed to participating as plaintiffs in a lawsuit filed in Missouri challenging Obama's citizenship.[60] State Representative Edgar G. H. Emery told reporters in July 2009 that he "questions Obama’s citizenship and ... believes his alleged lack of a legitimate birth certificate ignores the Constitution."[61]
Montana
In January 2011, Montana state representative Bob Wagner introduced legislation requiring all candidates for federal office file affidavits with the Montana secretary of state verifying that they are qualified; presidential candidates would be required to provide the state with a valid copy of their birth certificates.[62]
Nebraska
Proposed legislation introduced in January 2011 would have required a presidential or vice presidential candidate to provide proof of birth that includes the names of the candidate's parents, and proof that the parents were United States citizens at the time of the candidate's birth;
New Hampshire
Legislation introduced in March 2011 would have required presidential candidates to present their birth certificates when filing their nomination papers;.[67]
Oklahoma
Oklahoma Republican state Representative Mike Ritze proposed a bill in December 2008, requiring any candidate for public office in Oklahoma to show proof of citizenship. Ritze declared that he "does not believe Obama submitted an authentic copy of his birth certificate".
In February 2011, similar legislation was reintroduced in the Oklahoma state senate.[71]
Pennsylvania
Legislation introduced in April 2011 by state Representative Daryl Metcalfe would require candidates for president and vice president to provide proof of citizenship to qualify for a spot on the state ballot.[72]
Tennessee
In Tennessee, four Republican state Representatives—Stacey Campfield, Glen Casada, Frank S. Niceley and Eric H. Swafford—announced in February 2009 that they would be joining a legal action to force Obama to release his birth certificate and prove his citizenship. .[73][74]
Legislation proposed in January 2011 would require anyone running for elected office to furnish a birth certificate before being declared an eligible candidate."[75]
Texas
On November 16, 2010, Texas state representative Leo Berman introduced legislation requiring any candidate for president or vice president running in Texas to submit to the Texas Secretary of State an "original birth certificate indicating that the person is a natural-born United States citizen.”
en.wikipedia.org/…
Then there was the media darlings mediamatters.org/...
Hannity:
SEAN HANNITY: What do you think about this birth certificate issue? I mean, it has not been my main issue, but it kind of does get a little odd here after a while. Can't they just produce it and we move on?
REP. MICHAEL BURGESS (R-TX): Well, obviously, there's some value to the White House not producing it. I don't know what that could be. This easily could be ended, could have been ended a couple of years ago. I don't know --
HANNITY: Jerry, that's a reasonable position. Is he right?
JERRY SPRINGER (talk show host): Well, no. I'll tell you why.
[...]
SPRINGER: But you know what, I understand why there's a resistance to it.
HANNITY: Why?
SPRINGER: Because isn't this interesting? Of all our 43 presidents, of the 43 presidents --
HANNITY: Don't bring up race. Do not bring up race. Do not bring up race. It is a constitutional requirement.
SPRINGER: I understand, but why have not of the 43 people we had has run -- be president of the United States, never once were you asking, "Where is your birth certificate? "
BURGESS: It was an issue -- it was an issue for John McCain.
HANNITY: Because he lived in Indonesia as a kid. He talked about, you know, the prayer at sunset being one of the most beautiful things he's ever seen.
SPRINGER: And?
HANNITY: So, so, he grew up in a foreign country. So some have said, all right, you grew up in Hawaii, it's a constitutional requirement, show us. What's the big deal? [Fox News, Hannity, 3/23/11]
and Limbaugh:
RUSH LIMBAUGH: Barack Obama has yet to have to prove he's a citizen. All he'd have to do is show a birth certificate. He has yet to have to prove he's -- I have to show them 14 different ways where the hell I am every day of the year for three years. [Premiere Radio Networks, The Rush Limbaugh Show, 7/20/09]
RUSH LIMBAUGH: Who announces days in advance they're rushing to the side of a loved one who is deathly ill, but keeps campaigning in a race that's said to be over, only to go to the loved one's side days later? See, I think this is about something else. You know what's really percolating out there? And I've been laying low on this because it just -- it hasn't met the threshold to pass the smell test on this program. But this birth certificate business, this lawsuit that a guy named Phillip Berg filed in Philadelphia in August for Obama to produce his genuine birth certificate, and he still hasn't replied, he hasn't done so.
[...]
And this birth certificate business -- I'm just wondering if something's up. I have no clue, and I -- folks, I'm telling you, this has not reached the threshold until now, and it's now popping up all over the place. There are a lot of people now that are starting to speculate and be curious about this. I don't know. Let's say, for example, that somebody does come up with proof that Obama -- something's screwy with his birth certificate, and something's screwy about the fact that he's allegedly a natural citizen, American citizen but may not be, dual citizenship, born in Kenya, who knows, there's all kinds of stuff out -- so what? What's gonna happen this late in the campaign? Do you think, if it's proven, that they're gonna dump him? That's not gonna happen. But there's still -- these are just questions that I have. [Premiere Radio Networks, The Rush Limbaugh Show, 10/23/08]
Okay, so enough of the cut-and-paste trip down memory lane.
Now we come to Ted Cruz.
Remember why the Right wanted Obama to “release his birth certificate” and why they were so determined to keep alive the fiction that he was born in Kenya:
1) That being born outside of the United States meant he was not a “natural born” US citizen
2) That having a non-American father, meant he was not natural born
3) That having dual citizenship meant he was ineligible for office.
Well, in the case of Ted Cruz:
1) He definitely WAS born in Calgary, Canada
2) His father definitely WAS a Cuban-Canadian citizen and not an American
3) Ted Cruz himself definitely DID have dual citizenship until he renounced his Canadian citizenship in 2013.
Every charge the Right has made against Barack Obama since 2008 applies to Ted Cruz.
Yet what is the reply:
Trump: Donald Trump says questions about whether Ted Cruz is eligible to be President of the United States could become a "big problem" for the Canadian-born Republican candidate.
SEAN HANNITY (HOST): I see no issue here for Ted Cruz.
LAURA INGRAHAM: There's no issue whatsoever. He has dual citizenship, Sean, because his mom is a U.S. citizen, so he gets naturalized citizen as a result of that. This has already been looked into. In fact, on my radio show today, Chris Christie came to the defense of Ted Cruz, noting that, I guess at a rally, one of those Iran rallies on Capitol Hill, I believe even Donald Trump, according to Christie, had acknowledged that you know, Ted Cruz, of course, was eligible and just because he was born in Canada, in this case his mom being a citizen, it didn't affect it.
HANNITY: He gave up his Canadian citizenship. Geraldo, you think there might be something to this?
[...]
GERALDO RIVERA: Let's go back. The Naturalization Act of 1790, three years after the Constitution, said that children of citizens shall be considered natural born citizens. That's in 1790. Five years later, in 1795, they amended the Naturalization Act of 1795 and said the children of citizens, wherever born, are citizens. It excluded the phrase natural born citizens when they amended the act. [CROSSTALK]
HANNITY: Geraldo, that's a stretch, come on. That's a stretch.
[...]
HANNITY: I think you're going birther ballistic, and I don't think it's going to work. [Fox News, Hannity, 1/6/16]
RUSH LIMBAUGH: The latest to join this bandwagon suggesting that Ted Cruz may want to actually go to court and get some confirmation in the fact he's a citizen, it could be a problem out there, John McCain. John McCain now officially questioning Ted Cruz's eligibility to run for the presidency. It's getting into bizarro territory here now. Remember now, McCain was born in Panama, and his presidential eligibility is the same, and based on the same constitutionality as is Ted Cruz's.
mediamatters.org/…
Now, there are some on the left who feel the Republicans should be given a pass on all this. There are even some who feel throwing up to the GOP faces or laughing over the Karmic irony of it is somehow being little more than a “birther”.
I utterly reject such a characterization of what is happening here.
Racism fueled the Obama birth certificate nonsense and racism was the reason it found so wide an acceptance within the Republican party. The image below says this louder than anything else.
Time and again Democrats have allowed the Right to spin myths, fantasies and outright lies without challenge.
The Right is better on Security, the Economy, National Defense, supports the military more, is more patriotic…
All lies, falsehoods and provable fiction.
Yet time and again the Left is silent and lets the Republicans get away with this fiction. They let the lie persist.
This is one lie that can not be allowed to stand. It was based on the racist idea that a person of colour or “the other” was not fit to run for or be elected to the office of the President. If allowed to stand this fiction will be used again and again against the next Democratic candidate of colour; or the next Jewish candidate; or female candidate; or gay candidate.
So, yeah, I am going to use it every chance I get. I am going to do my best to see to that every single Right winger who “just asked a question” about Obama’s eligibility to be President explain why this is not a “legitimate” question to be asked of Ted Cruz.
That doesn’t make me a birther. It makes me pissed off.