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Obama 'Birther' Row Rears Its Head Again
- By: Greg Milam, US correspondent
Saturday February 27, 2010
One of the more bizarre rows in American politics has resurfaced as the country prepares for crucial mid-term elections this year.
The so-called 'birthers' movement, which questions whether Barack Obama was born in the US and is therefore a legitimate president, has cropped up on the campaign.
A representative in Arizona's state senate has even introduced a 'birth certificate bill' because she says constituents are so worried.
The White House has consistently dismissed the issue. Authorities in Hawaii have provided an electronic record of Obama's birth because the paper copy was destroyed in a fire which wiped out much of the state's archives.
But J D Hayworth, who is running against former presidential candidate John McCain in the race to be Arizona Senator, questioned Obama's credentials on a radio show.
McCain, who lost out to Obama in 2008, criticised Hayworth for giving oxygen to the 'birther' debate.
And supporters at one of Hayworth's rallies openly questioned the president's right to be in office.
Alan Becker said: "If it was in question and someone questioned me about my birth certificate I would give it to them and say 'Here it is'.
"Why can't he do that?
Democrats in Arizona have dismissed the bill, introduced by Representative Judy Burges.
Kyrsten Sinema said: "This bill is what I would call patently ridiculous and offensive.
"The truth is that he was born in the United States and has provided that proof time and time again."
The 'birthers' are perhaps the most bizarre of the protest movements against the president.
Genuine concerns in the US are often being drowned out by more extreme voices.
But Hayworth, who says the Obama issue is now settled, believes questions remain.
He said: "We require voters to demonstrate they are who they say they are, I think everyone on the ballot should do that."
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