'Birthers' Vs. Pres. Obama: Join the Live Chat
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Tonight on 360°, keeping them honest. The 'Birthers' are back and this time legislators are listening.
Arizona passes a bill demanding presidential candidates produce a birth certificate. Five other states are working on similar measures. Tonight, hear directly from one of the Arizona lawmakers who voted for the bill.
Plus, new developments in the murder of a principal and more.
Scroll down to join the live chat during the program. It's your chance to share your thoughts on tonight's headlines. Keep in mind, you have a better chance of having your comment get past our moderators if you follow our rules.
Here are some of them:
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3) Use your real name (first name only is fine)
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5) Watch your language (keep it G-rated; PG at worst - and that includes $#&*)
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Anderson Cooper goes beyond the headlines to tell stories from many points of view, so you can make up your own mind about the news. Tune in weeknights at 8 and 10 ET on CNN.
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Unfortunately anything can be forged and photoshopped. It is hard to believe what you see on the internet.
Thank you Anderson for a forthright, open interview that questions Cecil Ash on the validity of his information.
Excellent interview Anderson... I wish all political interviews were that direct, and held politicians accountable for the craziness they participate in! Clearly the politician from AZ had no leg to stand on for this issue.
It is amazing to me that the people we rely on to be our leaders can be so incredibly misinformed and so easily swayed by ridiculous rumors.
The true reason behind the issue is sad an pathetic and, without a doubt, a waste of our time and money in a time when both are valuable.
The money might be better spent sending him to the moon so see about that cheese.
Just clear it up already, if there is nothing to hide, then there is no issue.
Interesting how this issue of place of birth never came up with the previous 43 presidents....golly gee....I wonder whats different this time around?
Your Guest, the GOP Representative shows how partisan some Republicans are getting. What a lack of leadership from them. What a waste of taxpayer time and money. Its pretty outrageous.
Glad to know not all idiots are not in Texas, thanks AZ
First of all, I'd like to say that you did a great job Anderson on pressing him where it counts.
Second, I would like to say how unpatriotic some citizens are being. Obama was born in the United States. He wouldn't be President of the United States if he wasn't American. The fact that he is the acting President is more than enough proof he was born here and the 'Birthers' are just being radical.
Thank you Anderson for keeping them honest. Sen.Ash is talking out of both sides of his mouth. And this is all about President Obama's citizenship!
Sounds like this guy's encouraging racism and ignorance. hooray for our democratically elected congressman and their ever so enchanting misguidedness.
Anderson, great interview!
HAHA you destroyed that guys brain so hardcore in that interview he might actually realize hes an idiot and quit
Good Evening everyone.
Keeping them honest Anderson. I love it.
Anderson
You didnt ask him about john mccain
he was born in Panama!
Way to go Anderson. You showed this so called "leader" from Arizona for the absolute idiot that he is. This birth certificate business has gone too far. In fact the witch hunt of this President has gone too far.
Who actually is responsible for verifying that a candidate who is running for POTUS is eligible as per the qualifications outlined in The Constitution?
Anderson – thank you! So glad you stood up and demonstrated the stupidity of this bill. So tired of the electorate pandering to the ignorance of this nation. Enough is enough!
Great job, Anderson! He didn't offer a single, credible reason for supporting this legislation.
Thank you for holding the state rep's feet to the fire, Anderson. This was incredibly painful to watch how slippery this guy is. I want you to know that your questioning made it clear that the motivation behind the birthing legislation has to do with Obama. I'm so grateful you pushed.
Nice interview. Keep them honest and sweating!
Great job Anderson it is a shame that so called main stream media has to remind our elected leadeers were hired to do and that is lead and not follow the misinformed down the path to obscurity
I might believe these same "birthers" if they wanted to argue that Hawaii was illegally annexed by the US. Otherwise, send these people back to school – and revoke their citizenship for being so stupid!
I don't think that he doesn't believe that Obama is a US citizen. I think that it is easier for him to seem vague on the issue and keep the confidence of the birthers while also not completely seeming like a crazy person.
Great job, Anderson. These people need to be called out for their ridiculousness. That's the best interview I've seen in a long time!
Hard to keep a straight face. Anderson did a better job than me.
If he's president then he must have been born in America! People with much higher security clearances have already looked into this.
its all about the origin of our president like how it has always been...
i think theres too much change going on!!!
anbd i voted for him!!
I just watched the state official from Arizona... Just reinforces my belief that republicans have always pandered to the misinformed electorate to get in power and do what they want when in. Keeping the ignorant and misinformed controlled through misinformation campaigns is what politics from the right has come to.
Anderson,
This is one time I believe you did a great job nailing Cecil. I loved it.
go for it.
Sanjay
Obviously, the move is partisan. Still, whether you agreed with the Az Rep or not, your relentless badgering was over the top.
Yes there is also the birth announcement in the Hawaii newspaper of Obama in regards to additional 'proof'.
Are these people out of their minds? Do they actually believe all the crap out there on the internet. Are Americans that partisan?
I am watching this from across the border in amazement.
Way to play hardball Anderson!!!
This is the republican who believes in smaller government , now wants a bill to clear a controversy!!
Anderson,
Good job interview!!!!! Go get him, Anderson! Nice!
GO....Anderson...nice to see u being tough with this birther's ridiculous lying!
It is a good thing I moved from Arizona! I cannot believe the inane leadership eschewing from the desert landscape. Sad.
This Arizona State Representative should be sued!!! I don´t know. Someone, do something to stop him! This is driving me crazy. To think that so many uneducated, ignorant Americans will believe what he is saying is daunting!
It's so interesting to me how cagey the Obama detractors (or haters) are trying to be...looking for 'rational' ways to create distrust. It's shocking to me at first....then I remember how hateful human nature can be.
Sadly, here is a supposed leader in the country playing politics.
Way to go Coop.... I know CNN wants to remain impartial politically – that's why I watch it to begin with – but I'm glad you guys are finally coming down a little harder on the nonsense.
I am not an American citizen and I know Bill Clinton was born in Hope, Arkansas. The lawmaker being interviewed should be thrown out of office, he's not a true representative of the American people.
I am from Arizona and find this whole thing DEEPLY embarassing. Between this and immigration "legislation", it seems our legislators here will do anything to avoid the financial crisis affecting the state.
@Mike,
"This bill isn't racist, just dumb."
Very Dumb Indeed!!! (& disapppointing).
He completely dodged the facts and completely pandered to the ignorant.
i have to sure my REAL birth certificate when it is required and he should show his. my opinion he was born elsewhere but there are more important things to worry about like the stolen tax bailout money he took and gave to the bankers. yes he did it for the people.
The President was "born in the USA!"
good evening i was watching the sound of music and switched to hear insane people believing the president is not from America this is just plain wrong and to me is an attempt to get him out of office because presidents by law have to be born here...
miranda
Absolutely brilliant interview tonight with the state representative! It showed the utter lack of substance in the bill and it's real motivations.