Hawaii Governor Neil Abercrombie recently made a startling revelation regarding the long-debated issue of President Obama’s birthplace. Abercrombie’s investigation into the state archives found no actual birth certificate for Obama, only a “notation” of his birth. This admission has reignited discussions around requiring presidential candidates to provide proof of U.S. citizenship, with some speculating that Republicans may push for legislation to prevent future controversies.
The Posey Bill and Calls for Proof of Citizenship
In 2009, Republican Congressman Bill Posey of Florida introduced HR 1503, a bill aimed at ensuring future presidential candidates provide a valid, hospital-issued birth certificate to prove U.S. citizenship. The bill was supported by a coalition of conservatives and libertarians, including a handful of Republican Congressmen, such as Bill Goodlatte (VA), Randy Neugebauer (TX), Marsha Blackburn (TN), and Ted Poe (TX). The bill sought to amend the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971, requiring a candidate’s campaign committee to submit the candidate’s birth certificate as part of the eligibility verification process.
Despite the momentum from conservative circles, the Posey Bill stalled in committee, with a Democratic majority in the House blocking its progress. On the Senate side, Senator Tom Coburn of Oklahoma expressed his willingness to support the bill if it passed the House. However, without the necessary support, the legislation died before moving forward.
Abercrombie’s Admission and Its Implications
The issue of President Obama’s birthplace resurfaced when Hawaii Governor Neil Abercrombie, who had promised to resolve the controversy, failed to produce Obama’s birth certificate. Instead, Abercrombie claimed to have found a “notation” or listing of Obama’s birth in the state archives, but no concrete birth certificate. This development has been described as “stunning” by conservative commentators, including Rush Limbaugh, who argued that Abercrombie’s failure has only fueled the controversy further.
Limbaugh noted that the Governor’s efforts to put the issue to rest ahead of the 2012 election had backfired. “How many of us could get away with saying, ‘Yeah, there’s a little notation somewhere there in the archives, but we can’t find the birth certificate,’” he remarked, highlighting the lingering doubts surrounding Obama’s birth.
The Future of Proof of Citizenship Legislation
With Abercrombie’s admission casting doubt on Obama’s birth records, the question remains whether Republicans will revive the Posey Bill or similar legislation. The issue of presidential eligibility may become a focal point in future elections, especially as debates over transparency and documentation continue.
Although the Posey Bill failed to gain traction in 2009, the growing interest in requiring candidates to prove their citizenship may lead to renewed efforts to pass such legislation. Whether or not this movement will gain the necessary support remains to be seen, but the controversy over Obama’s birth certificate has undoubtedly left its mark on the political landscape.
Conclusion
Governor Abercrombie’s inability to produce President Obama’s birth certificate has reignited long-standing debates over presidential eligibility and proof of citizenship. While the Posey Bill failed to advance in 2009, this recent development could prompt Republicans to revisit the issue, advocating for stricter requirements for future presidential candidates. As transparency in election processes becomes an increasingly important topic, the push for proof of citizenship may resurface in future legislative efforts, leaving a lasting impact on political discourse.
