Yesterday, our inestimable Congress-entity Jean Schmidt was caught on video supporting the wacko idea that Barack Obama was not born in the United States. The video clip was included in a recommended diary by Walt starr here: http://www.dailykos.com/...
Today, Democratic challenger David Krikorian issued a demand that Schmidt apologize to the President. Schmidt may be the first member of Congress caught in an explicit endorsement of the "birther" lunacy.
Krikorian's challenge takes on special meaning since he and Schmidt are locked in a legal battle before the Ohio Elections Commission, over Schmidt's allegation that Krikorian made "false statements" during the 2008 campaign. (Click on the tag that says "Genocide Denial Trial" below for more on that.) At a September 3 hearing of the case, it was Schmidt who had to confess that she's already been found guilty by the Commission of two instances of false statements during campaigns.
See the Krikorian press release below the fold.
Following is the press release issued moments ago by the Krikorian campaign:
Krikorian For Congress Press Release
Krikorian calls on Rep. Schmidt to Apologize to President Obama
Schmidt Continues Her Reckless Disregard for Truth
Cincinnati, OH - September 9, 2009 - There she goes again, Jean Schmidt made national news today for her belief that President Obama is not a natural born citizen of the United States of America and therefore does not meet the Constitutional requirement to hold the office of President of the United States.
At a Tea Party rally in the Cincinnati area on Saturday, Representative Schmidt was filmed telling a supporter that she agrees that President Obama was not born in the United States. The video clip of Schmidt's comments can be seen at various media outlets including Politico.com (links below).
David Krikorian, Schmidt's 2010 opponent, said today "Instead of addressing important issues facing our country like Health Care and the escalating War in Afghanistan, Jean Schmidt made national news again this time for her conspiracy theories about the President".
"Jean Schmidt has attacked the credibility of the office of the President and she either needs to apologize or prove her statement with facts. She did this for political posturing to cater to a select group of voters and it is just plain wrong" said Nathan James a spokesman for David Krikorian.
Links to various media outlets with coverage of Rep Schmidt:
http://thinkprogress.org/...
http://www.dailykos.com/...
http://www.politico.com/...
Krikorian For Congress | PO Box 43372 | Cincinnati | OH | 45243
In lieu of condolences to those of us in OH-02, please contribute to the Krikorian campaign at ActBlue at: https://secure.actblue.com/...