# Arizona official may keep Obama off the ballot **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [May 19, 2012, 5:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arizona-official-may-keep-obama-off-the-ballot/622398 "2012-05-19T05:06:21Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2012, 5:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arizona-official-may-keep-obama-off-the-ballot/622398/1 "2012-05-19T05:06:21Z")
[No, really.](http://content.usatoday.com/communities/onpolitics/post/2012/05/barack-obama-birth-certificate-arizona-ballot-ken-bennett-/1) > [@](#): > > Arizona Secretary of State Ken Bennett, a Republican exploring a 2014 race for governor, issued a statement insisting he is not a “birther,” the word he and others use for those who believe Obama was not born in the United States and is not legitimately president. > > Bennett told a radio interviewer yesterday it was “possible” he would keep Obama off the ballot if the issue isn’t resolved. > > “First, I have been on the record since 2009 that I believe the president was born in Hawaii. I am not a birther,” Bennett said in his statement. > > “At the request of a constituent, I asked the state of Hawaii for a verification in lieu of certified copy,” he said. “We’re merely asking them to officially confirm they have the president’s birth certificate in their possession and are awaiting their response.” > > \ > > In part because of Arpaio’s investigation, Bennett said on KFYI radio that he received over 1,200 e-mails asking him to look into Obama’s birth certificate. Bennett told radio host Mike Broomhead on Thursday that he believes “the president was born in Hawaii – at least I hope he was” and stated he was “not playing to the birthers.” > > He went on to explain that he had been trying for eight weeks to verify Obama’s certificate and was surprised by how challenging it has been to get a response from Hawaii officials. [Arpaio’s “investigation.”](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arpaio#Investigation_of_President_Obama.E2.80.99s_birth_certificate) ---
**Author:** ![TonySinclair](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/49beb7/32.png) [@TonySinclair](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TonySinclair)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2012, 5:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arizona-official-may-keep-obama-off-the-ballot/622398/2 "2012-05-19T05:10:20Z")
I don’t understand why the mainstream media is so quiet about all the voter suppression techniques the Republicans are using. Trying to keep Obama off the ballot is pretty blatant, but no less insidious than requiring driver’s licenses (which many students and seniors don’t have) and the like. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2012, 5:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arizona-official-may-keep-obama-off-the-ballot/622398/3 "2012-05-19T05:28:25Z")
Sheriff Joe’s “Cold Case Posse,” BTW, is an actual official volunteer organization associated with the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office – just like the MCSO’s [other posses.](http://www.mcso.org/About/Posse.aspx) The CCP is [supposed to be about this:](http://www.mcsoccp.org/joomla/index.php/mission) > [@](#): > > Our primary mission will be to assist the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office at the request of the Sheriff with any investigation including unsolved Homicides and to assist The General Investigation Division (GID) of the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office and the Enforcement Support Division in any manner as and when requested to do so. The Maricopa County Sheriffs Office Cold Case Posse is available to serve the citizens of Maricopa County 24 hours a day, 365 days per year. But on the [home page,](http://www.mcsoccp.org/joomla/) you’ll see nothing but Birther-crap. ---
**Author:** ![2nd\_Law](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/2/f475e1/32.png) [@2nd\_Law](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/2nd_Law)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2012, 6:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arizona-official-may-keep-obama-off-the-ballot/622398/4 "2012-05-19T06:21:44Z")
Are they asking for the same documentation for Romney? If not, this is pure BS. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2012, 6:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arizona-official-may-keep-obama-off-the-ballot/622398/5 "2012-05-19T06:23:44Z")
> [@2nd\_Law](#): > > Are they asking for the same documentation for Romney? If not, this is pure BS. Oh, c’mon, Romney’s a Mormon, he’s got birth-and-genealogy documentation coming out his ass. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![mhendo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mhendo/32/3159_2.png) [@mhendo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mhendo)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2012, 6:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arizona-official-may-keep-obama-off-the-ballot/622398/6 "2012-05-19T06:41:30Z")
If Florida isn’t careful, they’re going to lose their crown as “First state to pop into my head when something incredibly fucking stupid happens.” Arizona is really making a play for the number one spot lately. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2012, 6:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arizona-official-may-keep-obama-off-the-ballot/622398/7 "2012-05-19T06:51:40Z")
> [@mhendo](#): > > If Florida isn’t careful, they’re going to lose their crown as “First state to pop into my head when something incredibly fucking stupid happens.” > > Arizona is really making a play for the number one spot lately. :mad: [Upstarts!](http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/OnlyInFlorida) ---
**Author:** ![Measure\_for\_Measure](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/measure_for_measure/32/557_2.png) [@Measure\_for\_Measure](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Measure_for_Measure)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2012, 6:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arizona-official-may-keep-obama-off-the-ballot/622398/8 "2012-05-19T06:52:29Z")
> [@TonySinclair](#): > > I don’t understand why the mainstream media is so quiet about all the voter suppression techniques the Republicans are using. Trying to keep Obama off the ballot is pretty blatant, but no less insidious than requiring driver’s licenses (which many students and seniors don’t have) and the like. The mainstream media will only cover a story from a non-partisan perspective. If they can’t say, “Both sides do it,” they get flummoxed. Fair representation of the facts will often favor one side or another. Those of strong wills don’t expect every bloody newspaper article to put both parties in a similar light. The media should stop pandering to the puerile and start reporting the goddamn facts. ---
**Author:** ![gamerunknown](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/6bbea6/32.png) [@gamerunknown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gamerunknown)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2012, 10:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arizona-official-may-keep-obama-off-the-ballot/622398/9 "2012-05-19T10:23:34Z")
> [@Measure for Measure](#): > > If they can’t say, “Both sides do it,” they get flummoxed. It’s because they’re filthy Marxists, with all that thesis and antithesis stuff. Bloody wooden trichotomies. ---
**Author:** ![Ca3799](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9f8e36/32.png) [@Ca3799](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ca3799)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2012, 10:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arizona-official-may-keep-obama-off-the-ballot/622398/10 "2012-05-19T10:46:19Z")
From an update on that story: "On Thursday, Bennett said he sent his request to Hawaii officials eight weeks ago but has yet to get the proof he was hoping for. He said he didn’t want another copy of the birth certificate. He wants Hawaii to give him what he described as “a verification in lieu of a certified copy of a birth certificate.” In the weeks since then, Bennett said, Hawaii officials have forced him to provide proof that he is who he says he is. They asked him to send them copies of the Arizona laws that prove the secretary of state really is the person in charge of handling the ballots. " ---
**Author:** ![Rhythmdvl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/85f322/32.png) [@Rhythmdvl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhythmdvl)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2012, 11:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arizona-official-may-keep-obama-off-the-ballot/622398/11 "2012-05-19T11:46:13Z")
> [@Ca3799](#): > > From an update on that story: > > … > > In the weeks since then, Bennett said, Hawaii officials have forced him to provide proof that he is who he says he is. They asked him to send them copies of the Arizona laws that prove the secretary of state really is the person in charge of handling the ballots. " If it’s not already underway, I think Hawaii should continually deny his requests based on a rejection of his claim to be who he says he is. Reject any documentation provided, from statements on letterhead to a personal note from the governor. Claim they’re insufficient. Claim they’re fraudulent. Claim that parts may be correct–that the secretary of state is making a request–but that he hasn’t sufficiently proven that he’s the actual secretary of state. Require more and more documentation to prove that he is, from live birth records through elementary school progress reports. Don’t just move the goalposts, shove them deep up his ass. ---
**Author:** ![johnpost](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f17d59/32.png) [@johnpost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/johnpost)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2012, 1:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arizona-official-may-keep-obama-off-the-ballot/622398/12 "2012-05-19T13:52:38Z")
this could lead to the largest number of write-in votes for a candidate ever (on a state’s ballot). the state will get a footnote in the history books. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2012, 7:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arizona-official-may-keep-obama-off-the-ballot/622398/13 "2012-05-19T19:54:38Z")
> [@](#): > > Arizona Secretary of State Ken Bennett, a Republican exploring a 2014 race for governor . . . Clearly, he’s banking his credit with the asstards **now.** I admire a man who plans ahead. ---
**Author:** ![Farmer\_Jane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Farmer\_Jane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Farmer_Jane)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2012, 9:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arizona-official-may-keep-obama-off-the-ballot/622398/14 "2012-05-19T21:11:11Z")
I’m beginning to think we should give Arizona and Texas back to Mexico. ---
**Author:** ![GIGObuster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gigobuster/32/421_2.png) [@GIGObuster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GIGObuster)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2012, 9:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arizona-official-may-keep-obama-off-the-ballot/622398/15 "2012-05-19T21:24:39Z")
> [@Farmer\_Jane](#): > > I’m beginning to think we should give Arizona and Texas back to Mexico. Oh no you don’t! The Phoenix area I live does have democratic representation and they show sanity (unfortunately they are usually in the minority in the Arizona congress), now if you could find a way to ship all the red areas to Mexico with the exception of a good chunk of Phoenix and Tucson you will be welcomed. ---
**Author:** ![Farmer\_Jane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Farmer\_Jane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Farmer_Jane)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2012, 9:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arizona-official-may-keep-obama-off-the-ballot/622398/16 "2012-05-19T21:46:00Z")
> [@GIGObuster](#): > > Oh no you don’t! > > The Phoenix area I live does have democratic representation and they show sanity (unfortunately they are usually in the minority in the Arizona congress), now if you could find a way to ship all the red areas to Mexico with the exception of a good chunk of Phoenix and Tucson you will be welcomed. You’re just gonna have to take one for the team. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2012, 10:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arizona-official-may-keep-obama-off-the-ballot/622398/17 "2012-05-19T22:11:01Z")
The Civel War settled succession, but has anybody explored the idea of expulsion? ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2012, 10:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arizona-official-may-keep-obama-off-the-ballot/622398/18 "2012-05-19T22:37:49Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > The Civel War settled succession, but has anybody explored the idea of expulsion? Nitpick: Secession. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2012, 10:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arizona-official-may-keep-obama-off-the-ballot/622398/19 "2012-05-19T22:41:12Z")
nm ---
**Author:** ![Der\_Trihs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/der_trihs/32/233_2.png) [@Der\_Trihs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Der_Trihs)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2012, 11:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arizona-official-may-keep-obama-off-the-ballot/622398/20 "2012-05-19T23:03:55Z")
> [@TonySinclair](#): > > I don’t understand why the mainstream media is so quiet about all the voter suppression techniques the Republicans are using. The mainstream media tends to favor the Republicans. > [@Farmer\_Jane](#): > > I’m beginning to think we should give Arizona and Texas back to Mexico. Once again, Mexico gets screwed by the US. 😃 [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arizona-official-may-keep-obama-off-the-ballot/622398.md?page=2)