'Birthers' Vs. Pres. Obama: Join the Live Chat
[cnn-photo-caption image=http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2009/images/01/02/liveblogfinal.copy.jpg]
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:
1) Keep it short (we don't have time to read a "book")
2) Don't write in ALL CAPS (there's no need to yell)
3) Use your real name (first name only is fine)
4) No links
5) Watch your language (keep it G-rated; PG at worst - and that includes $#&*)
About this Show:
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.
Questions or comments? Send an email
Want to know more? Go behind the scenes with AC361°
Subscribe to the podcast
On Twitter
Search the AC360 blog
i see nothing wrong with having to show a birth certificate to run for president. think about it there are many things you have to show your birth certificate for. why not have to for the highest office in the land. if you have noething to hide why not.
Obama has himself to blame. You want to dispel Internet rumors, so you release the birth certificate on the Internet? Does that make any sense?
its a real shame that republicans dont nothing better to do than beat a dead horse what are they getting paid for . are they ever going to do something for this country.
I agree with Anderson, the leaders need to lead instead of pandering to the wing nuts. I think it's time the Republicans, need to finally accept that
Pres. Obama was elected by the majority.
Anderson, you made me stand up and cheer tonight. Your rational approach just made so much sense and you did not back down. I applaud you for your courage and believe it is time to start calling these ridiculous notions. I am so tired of the ugly hate coming from way too many of our leaders and fellow citizens. It is so counter-productive.
Anderson, Iove the toughness. It's really sad that the racism in the US isn't over.
okay so let's say it turns out that the President is not a US citizen...now what???
That congressperson never once acknowledged ANY responsibility to correct misinformation. He is CLEARLY pandering to the birther element in his state.
That's exactly right....birth certificates differ hugely. This feeds into such ridiculous racism.
Thank you Anderson for expecting someone, who is supposed to be an elected leader, to show some common sense. If he is re-elected, its a shame!
remember this is the same state that says if you don't look american you will be stopped and taking to jail if you don't have a passport or some documentation on you, and now this. they need to be stop before it get worse
I don't see the big deal with the Arizona legislation, President Obama is President and that is not being challenged by this bill. Ignore it .
Roland Martin is right...these people are stupid. Worst of all they are cowards, complete cowards.
I can't believe that he didn't understand the racist quality to this whole debate. Thank you Anderson for trying to get him to understand that!
Obama's grandmother said she was present at his birth in Kenya. Doesn't that raise red flags? I think there are serious doubs here. Why did Obama hire lawyers to avoid releasing his documents so long? Its all about truth, something Obama has a problem with.
Great interview it could have been even harder he couldn't answer any of Anderson's quetions
why isn't he spending solving real problems in AZ?
Well done Anderson. Great interview with Mr. I don´t-believe-anything-unless-it-comes-from-Arizona representative. Don´t let these guys wander too far!
2012 is coming up and this will be an issue .
Good job Anderson ...Why is this issue being raised? I tihnk we all know. I called MY Senators Office today (Claire McCaskill) and received immediate answers to my questions. They even did some research and called me back. So to be asked by constituents and not provide answers is ludicrous.
I love Roland Martin and his style. He just says it like it is.
Bither is a hypocryte double standards for this Black President. This is totally about race . The Republicans that voted for this are a disgrace to the American People.
Birthers don't care about actual facts. Their agenda and vendetta against the President is clear. Anderson did a great job of pointing out the foolishness of the entire issue with the last guest.
My question is this: What would Obama have to do to prove to these people he was born in the U.S.A.? I was born in N.C., and the only proof I can get is a certified copy. Why is he expected to offer more?
The discussion that is brewing about President Obama's origin MUST stop. This is a form of harassment. If our president wasn't black, there wouldn't be this type of political slander.
Wow, this is why the general public does not trust politicians.
From what I understand, the HI short form - before 1960 - birth certificate only requires that a family member say that a relative was born in HI. So anyone can say anything. If this is true, then this is not proof.
There's no physician's name nor name of hospital where birth took place.
The long form requires physician's name and/or name of hospital.
There never did this to Bush or Clinton. What a waste money
Hawaii has two major newspapers, the Honolulu Advertiser and the Star Bulletin. BOTH newspapers include birth announcements, and BOTH newspapers record the August 4, 1961 birth of Barack Obama.
This is ridiculous. If they have too much time then they should fire people and save some taxpayer money. Passing such stupid laws is nothing more than pandering to racists.
Kudos to you Anderson for not stepping down to the level the Arizona Congressman sitting across from you. The Senator is an embarrassment to the good state of Arizona and intelligent people everywhere.
It's apparent that racism was just swept under the rug until President Obama. What we see now is the fact that racism in America is very much alive, and the Republican Party is once again showing their ignorance!
Crazy..no constituents called but he is compelled to address it.may
be he should so the work of the people paying him
What's up with that part of "our" country? Though I'm an easterner...I've had hopes of moving back to Houston (TX)...But I'm begining to wonder where we're going as a country??
That State legislator from AZ was ridiculous!! AC tore him up! This guy didnt know where GW was born? Why wasnt this an issue then? or Bill Clinton or anyone other President? Its ALL about race! Additionally, when a "candidate" runs for office, the fill out an application, they go through background checks via the FBI, the Election Board vets all these candidates! All of this is totally a joke and a waste of time.
Come on ! What a waste of time and money. This guy should loose his citizenship. Non sense at all.
Anderson,
There is no harm in this provision. The legislator has a point, this will clear up the controversy and will prevent any future doubts of this nature. Why has this become such a big deal in the media?
One of the best interviews I have seen. Finally, no fluff. This is what we need from journalists. Anderson, you have now have one more big fan. Thank you.
You would think that with all the requirements one would need to hold such a position such a question would have been ask and answer say around the time he became senator and if not that maybe by the time he ran it would definitely be answer. This is beyond ridiculous.
Ask these birthers what their birth certificate would look like if they had to prove their citizenship? I submit it would look very much like Obama's.
anderson
you should have asked him how much senate time and money was spent on this legislation and on the other side of the coin how much time the senate has spent on legislation to create jobs and fight crime!
this is a total waste of time and money!
Thank you Anderson for being the voice of reason. You made Cecil Ash look like an idiot which he is. What an ashen face....
I am scared very scared. Are there really that many morons in America? No wonder we are falling behind in education and every other category across the globe.
I think that if Obama is a legal citizen he has nothing to worry about. It seems you are trying to say because you read on the "internet" by which you get your "digital" copy of a birth certificate.
There is no reason to believe or not believe him. If he is, he or any of our future presidents should have no problem proving his citizenship.
It has nothing to do with trust, it has to do with honesty.
This is the reason nothing get done because we continue to bring up things that have already being proven. This has never came up before!
Nice job Anderson. Your line of questioning proved all this man was doing was posturing as a Republican to his base.
you put him on the hot seat, and he squirmed like a worm.
I cannot believe this controversy over the birth certificate is still going on. i am so ashamed of the people in this country.
They stick to the talking point truth or not as it works with their base to divide people and they have nothing constructive to offer!
So what he was not born here in USA? Do we all remember the history of this country?
Why has Obama had such a hard time publishing this? Why should we trust him..put it out there.
I have only one question..When anybody files for becoming president of USA,isn't there a body which verifies all the documents. If that body has approved it, why people are asking at this time this certificate.