# Whitehouse releases Obama long form birth-certificate **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [April 27, 2011, 1:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whitehouse-releases-obama-long-form-birth-certificate/579889 "2011-04-27T13:47:50Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![magellan01](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@magellan01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/magellan01)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2011, 3:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whitehouse-releases-obama-long-form-birth-certificate/579889/61 "2011-04-27T15:57:03Z")
> [@Whack-a-Mole](#): > > This seems to be a decent answer to the above: Great. Thanks. ---
**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:** [April 27, 2011, 3:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whitehouse-releases-obama-long-form-birth-certificate/579889/62 "2011-04-27T15:58:08Z")
I don’t understand. He didn’t have access to the long form certificate. He never said he was hiding it. So when it becomes available, he releases it. Why is everyone saying, “Oh he should’ve waited!” or “Trump was responsible for that!” Is it possible he was just following through on what he said he’d do? 😕 Having him wait for political purpose kind of cheapens him. And gives credence to birthers that he’s not to be trusted. I don’t want a gotcha! magician for President. ---
**Author:** ![Jas09](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/d07c76/32.png) [@Jas09](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jas09)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2011, 4:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whitehouse-releases-obama-long-form-birth-certificate/579889/63 "2011-04-27T16:01:12Z")
Yes, I think that’s absolutely what happened **Citizen**. He even said as much - he sent a letter to Hawaii to get this copy made, certified, and sent. It just arrived, so he’s releasing it. But it’s more fun to think that he’s just yanking Trump around, or goading him into running. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2011, 4:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whitehouse-releases-obama-long-form-birth-certificate/579889/64 "2011-04-27T16:03:24Z")
> [@CitizenPained](#): > > Why is everyone saying, “Oh he should’ve waited!” At least in my case, I was kidding. This certificate is not going to change anything. Hard-core birthers cannot be reasoned with. They’re crazy and none too bright. There’s an old saying that you cannot reason someone out of a position they did not reason themselves into, and if you’re whacko enough to believe Obama was born in Hawaii despite all of the previous evidence and basic common sense, another document doesn’t matter. So from that standpoint, he might as well have waited. 😉 > [@](#): > > Is it possible he was just following through on what he said he’d do? 😕 He never said he was going to do this. > [@](#): > > And gives credence to birthers that he’s not to be trusted. He’s a politician and a lot of people say he shouldn’t be trusted. Saying he shouldn’t be trusted because he’s a secret terrorist or an illegal African immigrant or whatever is crazy. > [@](#): > > I don’t want a gotcha! magician for President. We’re talking politics here. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Gangster\_Octopus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a8b319/32.png) [@Gangster\_Octopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gangster_Octopus)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2011, 4:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whitehouse-releases-obama-long-form-birth-certificate/579889/65 "2011-04-27T16:05:11Z")
> [@CitizenPained](#): > > I don’t understand. He didn’t have access to the long form certificate. He never said he was hiding it. So when it becomes available, he releases it. Why is everyone saying, “Oh he should’ve waited!” or “Trump was responsible for that!” > > Is it possible he was just following through on what he said he’d do? 😕 Having him wait for political purpose kind of cheapens him. And gives credence to birthers that he’s not to be trusted. > > I don’t want a gotcha! magician for President. Sigh, damned if you do damned if you don’t in some people’s eyes. BTW, are we absolutely certain that Hawaii was a state in 1961? I need to see all the original chain of documentation throughout history that ended with the US gaining ownership/control of the Hawaiian Islands and then I need to see that it the votes and legislation making it state and I need confirmation that all the i’s were dotted and the t’s crossed. Is that so unreasonable? ---
**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:** [April 27, 2011, 4:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whitehouse-releases-obama-long-form-birth-certificate/579889/66 "2011-04-27T16:06:59Z")
> [@Jas09](#): > > Yes, I think that’s absolutely what happened **Citizen**. He even said as much - he sent a letter to Hawaii to get this copy made, certified, and sent. It just arrived, so he’s releasing it. > > But it’s more fun to think that he’s just yanking Trump around, or goading him into running. Well hey, now we can focus on China! And the economy! Oh…wait…Trump and the economy…hmm…:smack:: If he’d like to accomplish something no man has done before, we could always send him to Mars. He can bring a monkey along as first mate. ---
**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:** [April 27, 2011, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whitehouse-releases-obama-long-form-birth-certificate/579889/67 "2011-04-27T16:08:24Z")
> [@Gangster\_Octopus](#): > > Sigh, damned if you do damned if you don’t in some people’s eyes. > > BTW, are we absolutely certain that Hawaii was a state in 1961? I need to see all the original chain of documentation throughout history that ended with the US gaining ownership/control of the Hawaiian Islands and then I need to see that it the votes and legislation making it state and I need confirmation that all the i’s were dotted and the t’s crossed. > > Is that so unreasonable? I’d also like to make sure the Earth existed in 1961. It’s entirely possible that God created us 10 years ago and is making up this time thing to test our faith. ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2011, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whitehouse-releases-obama-long-form-birth-certificate/579889/68 "2011-04-27T16:08:51Z")
> [@jsc1953](#): > > That’s so precious. > > “White House Claims President Not a Kenyan” > > “White House Claims Hawaii A Real State” Actually, Hawaii was one of the [59 states](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EpGH02DtIws) Obama missed on the campaign trail. ---
**Author:** ![FlightlessBird](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/cdc98d/32.png) [@FlightlessBird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FlightlessBird)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2011, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whitehouse-releases-obama-long-form-birth-certificate/579889/69 "2011-04-27T16:09:35Z")
Well he said he released it because of the media’s attention to it rather than substantive issues. I’m not sure that’s the same as ‘I just got it’. I think this wasn’t so much an F-you to birthers and Trump, but rather to the media who said, “We know that you are American, but since so many of our viewers are interested in the subject, it’s more news-worthy than budget deficits and the future of our country.” ---
**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:** [April 27, 2011, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whitehouse-releases-obama-long-form-birth-certificate/579889/70 "2011-04-27T16:09:38Z")
> [@Marley23](#): > > At least in my case, I was kidding. This certificate is not going to change anything. Hard-core birthers cannot be reasoned with. They’re crazy and none too bright. There’s an old saying that you cannot reason someone out of a position they did not reason themselves into, and if you’re whacko enough to believe Obama was born in Hawaii despite all of the previous evidence and basic common sense, another document doesn’t matter. So from that standpoint, he might as well have waited. 😉 > He never said he was going to do this. > He’s a politician and a lot of people say he shouldn’t be trusted. Saying he shouldn’t be trusted because he’s a secret terrorist or an illegal African immigrant or whatever is crazy. > We’re talking politics here. 😉 Obama is a lot of things, but a drama ridden liar he is not. ---
**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:** [April 27, 2011, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whitehouse-releases-obama-long-form-birth-certificate/579889/71 "2011-04-27T16:11:12Z")
> [@FlightlessBird](#): > > Well he said he released it because of the media’s attention to it rather than substantive issues. I’m not sure that’s the same as ‘I just got it’. I think this wasn’t so much an F-you to birthers and Trump, but rather to the media who said, “We know that you are American, but since so many of our viewers are interested in the subject, it’s more news-worthy than budget deficits and the future of our country.” The media could’ve ignored it…just like they ignore moon conspiracies. They loved that shit! He said he made efforts to get a copy of the ‘long form’ certificate. I doubt he had it stashed for the last 5 years. ---
**Author:** ![gonzomax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e8c25b/32.png) [@gonzomax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gonzomax)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2011, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whitehouse-releases-obama-long-form-birth-certificate/579889/72 "2011-04-27T16:11:30Z")
> [@CitizenPained](#): > > I don’t understand. He didn’t have access to the long form certificate. He never said he was hiding it. So when it becomes available, he releases it. Why is everyone saying, “Oh he should’ve waited!” or “Trump was responsible for that!” > > Is it possible he was just following through on what he said he’d do? 😕 Having him wait for political purpose kind of cheapens him. And gives credence to birthers that he’s not to be trusted. > > I don’t want a gotcha! magician for President. The original certificate that he offered is legal and binding. It is the form I got when I applied for a passport. It was accepted . They did not ask me to obtain a long form, because it was accepted as proof by the US Government. It is always accepted as proof of birth. Is that hard to follow? Obama did not owe anyone a look at the long form. Nobody has to show that, ever. The Health Dept. will give you a copy of the short form. that is what they always do. That is what you will get when you apply for one. Obama gave legal and binding proof. Why the hell isn’t that good enough? ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2011, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whitehouse-releases-obama-long-form-birth-certificate/579889/73 "2011-04-27T16:15:19Z")
> [@Magiver](#): > > OK, I have a question, why is it framed in paper that matches the form and what is to the left of the border that is left out? It looks like boxes with additional writing. That’s standard practice in Kenya. As for Trump, I would say he is the main reason for this happening. He’s the guy, with help from the press, who raised the decibel level several notches in the last few weeks. For anyone interested about “Stanly”, check out the cover story in the latest NYT Sunday magazine. Interesting read. You can also see how much Obama looks like his mother-- the eyes, the nose, the mouth and even the ears. He really doesn’t look at all like his father. ---
**Author:** ![Lobohan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lobohan/32/79_2.png) [@Lobohan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lobohan)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2011, 4:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whitehouse-releases-obama-long-form-birth-certificate/579889/74 "2011-04-27T16:16:16Z")
> [@Magiver](#): > > Actually, Hawaii was one of the [59 states](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EpGH02DtIws) Obama missed on the campaign trail. I see this one brought up a lot in an effort to score a partisan jab. You should note that he meant to say 47. With one left to go. Making 48. Which is the contiguous US. ---
**Author:** ![gonzomax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e8c25b/32.png) [@gonzomax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gonzomax)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2011, 4:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whitehouse-releases-obama-long-form-birth-certificate/579889/75 "2011-04-27T16:18:12Z")
> [@John\_Mace](#): > > That’s standard practice in Kenya. > > As for Trump, I would say he is the main reason for this happening. He’s the guy, with help from the press, who raised the decibel level several notches in the last few weeks. > > For anyone interested about “Stanly”, check out the cover story in the latest NYT Sunday magazine. Interesting read. You can also see how much Obama looks like his mother-- the eyes, the nose, the mouth and even the ears. He really doesn’t look at all like his father. More proof that he is hiding something? ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2011, 4:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whitehouse-releases-obama-long-form-birth-certificate/579889/76 "2011-04-27T16:18:41Z")
> [@CitizenPained](#): > > Obama is a lot of things, but a drama ridden liar he is not. Would you mind pointing out where I called him any of those things? > [@CitizenPained](#): > > The media could’ve ignored it…just like they ignore moon conspiracies. And they should have. This was a stupid story from the beginning, and it never merited more than a passing mention on the news _if that_. The press made this rumor much more prevalent by continuing to cover it. ---
**Author:** ![kanicbird](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/5f8ce5/32.png) [@kanicbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kanicbird)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2011, 4:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whitehouse-releases-obama-long-form-birth-certificate/579889/77 "2011-04-27T16:18:59Z")
I haven’t followed this much since the election, but clearly remember a ‘certificate of live birth’ of Oboma being known about and accepted. The problem is that that certificate was not proof of birth in the states, just a recording of a birth was made in the states, and a “Birth Certificate” was the standard for those born in Hawaii at the time, while the CoLB was not the same thing as a BC (one with a BC could also have a CoLB, but some could only get a CoLB if there was no proof of birth in the state, or was born outside the states.. Or this is how I remembered the argument. Yes it even goes into this: > [@](#): > > The president had released his certificate of live birth in 2008, but many “birthers” said the absence of a long form birth certificate prompted questions about Obama’s birthplace of Hawaii. ---
**Author:** ![Lobohan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lobohan/32/79_2.png) [@Lobohan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lobohan)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2011, 4:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whitehouse-releases-obama-long-form-birth-certificate/579889/78 "2011-04-27T16:19:57Z")
> [@John\_Mace](#): > > He really doesn’t look at all like his father. You mean [Malcom X](http://israelinsider.net/profiles/blogs/is-obama-the-secret-son-of)? ---
**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:** [April 27, 2011, 4:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whitehouse-releases-obama-long-form-birth-certificate/579889/79 "2011-04-27T16:22:13Z")
[This is the only birth certificate that I care about. Luckily, we have the ‘long form’.](http://www.abilene-rc.com/view/full_story/12929593/article-Rare-copy-of-nation%E2%80%99s-birth-certificate-is-Lear%E2%80%99s-gift-to-citizens?instance=main_article) ---
**Author:** ![Lobohan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lobohan/32/79_2.png) [@Lobohan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lobohan)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2011, 4:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whitehouse-releases-obama-long-form-birth-certificate/579889/80 "2011-04-27T16:22:47Z")
> [@kanicbird](#): > > I haven’t followed this much since the election, but clearly remember a ‘certificate of live birth’ of Oboma being known about and accepted. The problem is that that certificate was not proof of birth in the states, just a recording of a birth was made in the states, and a “Birth Certificate” was the standard for those born in Hawaii at the time, while the CoLB was not the same thing as a BC (one with a BC could also have a CoLB, but some could only get a CoLB if there was no proof of birth in the state, or was born outside the states.. Or this is how I remembered the argument. None of that argument is true. The certificate Obama released in '08 is the only kind you get. Liars on the right pretended it wasn’t good enough and tried to say they needed to see the original state archive certificate, which isn’t released to the public. No other president has given that certificate. The only reason Obama was called to by the nutjobs on the right is because of his unfortunate skin condition. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whitehouse-releases-obama-long-form-birth-certificate/579889.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whitehouse-releases-obama-long-form-birth-certificate/579889.md?page=5)