Today the White House issued a longer birth certificate in order to confirm President Obama's status as a 'natural-born US citizen''; a constitutional requirement of the Presidency. The fuss over whether Obama was really born in the USA or elsewhere was largely confined to the more extreme margins of mainstream American politics but in recent weeks and months has been a pet topic for, possible presidential candidate and businessman, Donald Trump. Standing on the podium in the White House press room the President said, "we do not have time for this silliness."
Whilst the 'birther' debate was seen largely by the mainstream press as a false issue, milked by Trump for publicity, The Apprentice star seemed to effuse pride rather than embarrassment at today's development at a news conference in New Hampshire. He remarked, "I feel I've accomplished something really, really important and I'm honoured by it."
Misinformation of Obama's birth, heritage and religion have been perpetuated in parts of the media and blogosphere ever since he declared his candidacy in the Democratic primaries in 2007. The cause of such stigma is construed from the fact that his middle name is 'Hussein', his father's side of the family is Muslim and he was photographed wearing traditional Kenyan garb which includes a head-dress of sorts.
For Obama addressing such rumours became necessary in order to prevent the 'birther' debate occupying the news cycle in place of proper political issues such as the current federal budget discussions. Despite today's press release Obama recognised that it would not satisfy "a segment for people, no matter what we put out, this issue will not be put to rest."
Whilst the 'birther' debate was seen largely by the mainstream press as a false issue, milked by Trump for publicity, The Apprentice star seemed to effuse pride rather than embarrassment at today's development at a news conference in New Hampshire. He remarked, "I feel I've accomplished something really, really important and I'm honoured by it."
Misinformation of Obama's birth, heritage and religion have been perpetuated in parts of the media and blogosphere ever since he declared his candidacy in the Democratic primaries in 2007. The cause of such stigma is construed from the fact that his middle name is 'Hussein', his father's side of the family is Muslim and he was photographed wearing traditional Kenyan garb which includes a head-dress of sorts.
For Obama addressing such rumours became necessary in order to prevent the 'birther' debate occupying the news cycle in place of proper political issues such as the current federal budget discussions. Despite today's press release Obama recognised that it would not satisfy "a segment for people, no matter what we put out, this issue will not be put to rest."
