“Birtherism” is the belief in the conspiracy theory that President Barack Obama is not eligible to be President of the United States because was born somewhere other than in Hawaii. Depending on the level of nuttiness, I’ve heard everything from Kenya to Mars.
It is absolutely and utterly ridiculous – yet one candidate for Governor supports it: current US Congressman Nathan Deal. I agree with Jason on Deal in particular – he is a complete embarrassment to this State.
But it appears that there may be a “new birtherism” on the horizon.
The guys over at Georgia Liberal are beginning to question Nathan Deal’s eligibility, citing the Georgia Constitution which states (emphasis theirs)
No person shall be eligible for election to the office of Governor or Lieutenant Governor unless such person shall have been a citizen of the United States 15 years and a legal resident of the state six years immediately preceding the election and shall have attained the age of 30 years by the date of assuming office.
Indeed, they have called Deal’s Georgia office, his DC office, and his campaign office seeking information regarding this issue.
Per my own examination of the law, it appears to me that there really is nothing going on here, as OCGA 21-2-217 seems to indicate that unless Deal moved to DC with the intention of staying there an indefinite time, he has always been a legal resident of this State. The only possible avenue for challenging his residency seems to come in paragraph 15), which states
(15) For voter registration purposes, the board of registrars and, for candidacy residency purposes, the Secretary of State, election superintendent, or hearing officer may consider evidence of where the person receives significant mail such as personal bills and any other evidence that indicates where the person resides.
I believe that even a challenge using paragraph 15 would be fruitless and frivolous, as the 14 paragraphs above it seem to clearly indicate that Deal has always been a legal resident of the State. This is because I do not see where he fits any of the requirements indicating that he was no longer a legal resident.
It is extremely possible – highly likely even – that the guys of Georgia Liberal are being satirical to make a point about how utterly ridiculous Deal’s own birtherism is. I’m absolutely sure Jason’s post on Peach Pundit is complete satire along these same lines.
But if this is an indication that the left may be actually thinking along these lines, they are no less ridiculous than those on the right who believe the birtherism conspiracies about Obama.
Both Deal and Obama have enough valid lines of criticism without going off the deep end thinking about conspiracy theory lunacy.
How about we concentrate on actual issues?
“It is extremely possible – highly likely even – that the guys of Georgia Liberal are being satirical”
You think?
We are being satirical; but we are doing so to highlight how crazy this idea is.
And we prefer the term “Proofers”
And, I never really thought about him losing his residency status because he moved to DC. I just want to see how long it takes them to give us proof he is a resident and a citizen, or if they would even do it.
And as far as getting back to real issues, this is a real issue for me. If someone cannot look at the overwhelming evidence that Obama is a citizen and conclude that he is, I have a serious issue with them being eligible for any office… even local dog catcher.
Then don’t vote for him.
Deal has a right to ask for whatever proof he wants, just as I have a right to view him as a moron for all of his rhetoric.
And others don’t have a right to mock him?
Yep, and I personally encourage it.