Democrats to boycott effort to remove Barack Obama from Georgia ballot
Democrats, including the attorney representing President Barack Obama, have made a last-minute decision to boycott the Thursday hearing to consider a “birther” effort to remove Obama from the March 6 presidential primary ballot.
“They can tilt at windmills on their own,” said state Democratic spokesman Eric Gray on Wednesday night.
Last week, in a surprise ruling, a Georgia state administrative judge declined to quash a subpoena directing Obama to attend a hearing Thursday at the Fulton County courthouse on a challenge to strike him from the Georgia ballot this fall on claims he is not a natural born U.S. citizen. Read more background here from my AJC colleague Bill Rankin.
Among tomorrow’s no-shows will be Michael Jablonski, the Atlanta attorney serving as counsel to Obama. He’s written a letter to Secretary of State Brian Kemp, a Republican, asking him to intervene and bring the circus to a halt.
Among those pressing the action is state Rep. Mark Hatfield, R-Waycross. But many ranking Republicans are doing their best to keep their distance.
Here’s the statement just released by Mike Berlon, chairman of the state Democratic party:
“Several lawsuits were recently filed against President Obama questioning whether he is an American citizen in an attempt to remove him from the Georgia primary ballot. Despite the fact that these issues have been thoroughly litigated, a hearing has been scheduled in these cases for Thursday, January 26, 2012. The Democratic Party of Georgia is not a party to any of these lawsuits.
“This afternoon we received a letter from counsel for the President directed to the Georgia Secretary of State asking him to intervene in these lawsuits and bring them to a halt, because it is well established that there is no issue here – a fact validated time and again by courts in this country.
“In the letter, counsel also indicated that they had no interest in continuing to appear or participate further in the litigation and have suspended their involvement.
“We respect the President’s position and urge the Secretary of State to bring this matter to a conclusion. We also believe that each political party has the absolute legal right to determine who should appear on their primary and general election ballots according to their own rules without interference from outside parties.
“In light of these developments the Democratic Party of Georgia has no plans to continue to be involved in these baseless cases. Furthermore the Democratic Party of Georgia will cooperate with the President and his campaign in any way requested to make sure that his name appears on the primary and general election ballots for 2012.”
- By Jim Galloway, Political Insider
For instant updates, follow me on Twitter, or connect with me on Facebook.
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
552 comments Add your comment
pcnitai
January 25th, 2012
7:43 pm
Personally I have never been a fan of the “natural born citizen” clause. As long as a person is a citizen and has lived in the States an X number of years they he/she should be allowed to run for president. Plus just getting on the ballot doesn’t guarantee victory, its still up to the people to decide if they want to elect him president!
TIME TO AMEND THE CONSTITUTION!!!!
Fishawk
January 25th, 2012
7:43 pm
This whole episode is an embarrassment to the state and makes everyone who lives here look like a fool. We’re have now become a laughing stock of all the social media outlets and news organizations. I regret I live here and have to be part of this charade. If I said stupid a thousand times in a row it wouldn’t begin summarize my disgust and sentiment.
R
January 25th, 2012
7:44 pm
“but I’m not saying where–I’ll leave that to Obama’s attorneys. I mean, he presents material that turns the case into a slam-dunk for the defendant.”
Since when has ANY consul in ANY court venue that had a SLAM DUNK case choose NOT to show up and GO for the JUGULAR? Just name ONE example anywhere – can’t be done because it doesn’t happen. The PRES doesn’t need GA anyway, vote counts are too small.
hl
January 25th, 2012
7:45 pm
GA benefits from tourism and actions like this only hurt our trade. It’s an embarrassment. I think what surprises me most is not demanding the long form birth certificate of the republican candidates. We know that Romney would be classified as an anchor baby. If your white do you play by different rules.
MSU Alum
January 25th, 2012
7:46 pm
It amazes me to what lengths the Republican Party will go to remove our ability to vote for the elected officials we wish to represent us. Efforts like increasing voter suppression, allowing corporations to feed huge amounts of money into candidates campaign funds without limits, & continuing this ongoing falsehood about the President’s citizenship….. They would rather we live in a country where those choices are made for us….by a select few (THEM) countries like Iran, N. Korea. I was a Republican for most of my life but those representing this party in recent years have demonstrated their greed, selfishness, & lack of concern for the common good of the American people and our country that I am totally sick & disgusted with them. And they have hoodwinked many of the American people into believing their scam, thinking that they are looking out for them when they really are only looking out for the people who are helping THEM attain the power and wealth they desire! People are too gullable and don’t educate themselves enough….listening to only a few rightwing news outlets, believing the garbage that it put out there! If they don’t wise up and try to educate themselves more they risk creating a country that we will not recognize or want to live in!!! Georgia elected Republicans are some of the worst!
walter
January 25th, 2012
7:47 pm
This case is brilliant and further cements the GOP as completely and utterly backwards. Trying to deny someone on the ballot because “they were not born in the US” THREE YEARS AFTER HE BECAME THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES.
“Hey y’all, I know he’s President and all, but shucks, we really don’t like him cause you know, we can’t really say it out loud, but he looks different than the rest of us GOP in Georgia if you know what I mean, so let’s just do this quietly and see if can kick him off this here ballet.”
My friends around the country are rolling on the floor at the idiocy of Georgia politics. Just remember, all of us Georgia citizens pay their salaries to waste court time with cases like this to serve “our best interest.” This would never have happened if he was a white person born in another country like…… well you know…..
matt
January 25th, 2012
7:47 pm
Dear God, would you Birther nuts GET OVER it already? You make those of us who believe in many Republican principles, cringe in embarassment with this insane crap. Go and play with your looney friends at World Net Daily and leave the rest of us out of your delusional world.
Dawgone
January 25th, 2012
7:47 pm
You people are right about 1 thing. There are some stupid people in Georgia. Look no futher than down in Plains.
Mark God
January 25th, 2012
7:47 pm
GOP = Christians. Jesus stated, treat others as you would want to be treated. Unless they don’t believe in your made up god. Monkey see monkey do is the christian motto. Intelligence is amiss when you believe in a “thing” that does not exist. Thus, christians cannot discuss real topics and fact based reality and they are relegated to this type of moronic wastes of taxpayer monies. For those christians reading this, look these big words and concepts up. Don’t look in your little bible book, reality is not represented there. Nor is equal treatment for women or people of color. Only three books of women are represented in the little bible book. Why would anyone of color or female ever support christian aka gop beliefs. Cause they aren’t very smart.
come on
January 25th, 2012
7:49 pm
i am as big a republican as there is, but all i can say is why? It is a waste of time. At this point what is the point of chasing rabbits. We should focus on beating him in the general in november and not worry about if he was or wasn’t born in america. Just a waste of time and money.
RAMZAD
January 25th, 2012
7:49 pm
Republicans have earned an enormous reserve of pity, and Georgia is suffering great nostalgia for Jim Crow, the KKK, and the Confederate bandits. Georgia is struggling to stay out of the 21st Century.
Bisnono
January 25th, 2012
7:50 pm
I didn’t think the citizens of the state of Georgia could look any dumber after the Cobb County School District placed stickers on biology textbooks disputing Evolution as being a theory, not a fact.
I stand corrected.
Al
January 25th, 2012
7:51 pm
Democrats are dumb…but Republicans are much dumber.
Real American
January 25th, 2012
7:51 pm
The people bringing forth this batsh*t crazy tin foil hat mess are the inspiration for “Deliverance” aren’t they?
Matt
January 25th, 2012
7:53 pm
Bisnono
January 25th, 2012
7:50 pm
I didn’t think the citizens of the state of Georgia could look any dumber after the Cobb County School District placed stickers on biology textbooks disputing Evolution as being a theory, not a fact.
I stand corrected.
_____________________________
Can we please put the same stickers on the Bible??? pretty please!
tony
January 25th, 2012
7:53 pm
oh Georgia, no, no, no. I’m so embarrassed I ever lived there.
Yellow Dog Dem
January 25th, 2012
7:54 pm
You can always count on the mental case loons coming out of the woodwork when this topic is dredged back up. Some of you people commenting here need serious mental health treatment. IN-PATIENT! A pack of maroons!
Legal Lies
January 25th, 2012
7:54 pm
You all are as red neck as can be. Any reason to remove this man in the state is being tried. I’m ashamed for you all and your back woods mentality. I guess you all must be in the 1% of riches Americans or you just truly HATE BLACK PEOPLE!!!! I hope you all ride to hell with I hate color on your foreheads. Go crawl back under the rocks you came from with your JIM CROW mentality. Bet you wanna hang up black folk by the neck and still beat them too, don’t ya.
B. Thenet
January 25th, 2012
7:54 pm
Good Lord how many times do we need to go over this? I love the fact that there were TWO birth announcements in Hawaii papers yet these are explained away by the paranoid few who believe in this nonsense.
Good for the people who have finally decided not to participate in this farcical affair. How do you make a bully go away? You ignore them.
Blackblueredneck
January 25th, 2012
7:56 pm
OBAMA/BIDEN 2012
Claire
January 25th, 2012
7:58 pm
4 more years is happening redneck idiots. Can’t wait to seeO at the inauguration.
Joe
January 25th, 2012
7:59 pm
I can’t believe the idiots in Georgia! Seriously? Talk about wasting our $$$$ and time. I am not am Obama fan but he speaks better English and acts more like a president should than George Bush ever did!
AtlJack
January 25th, 2012
8:01 pm
I used to think birthers were so ignorant as to be pitied…. now I simply feel sorry that you are so filled with hate and stupidity that you CHOOSE to blind yourselves…
Dave
January 25th, 2012
8:02 pm
Umm, so I’m understanding that if someone (me) does not agree with any lawsuit I can simply state that I will not participate and all is dandy? This attorney should be held in contempt of court! Everyone / anyone who decides they simply will not participate should be held in contempt or our judicial system has lost the people’s respect and any judge anywhere can no longer take any action.
Tiffany
January 25th, 2012
8:05 pm
So they can violate my rights of choosing who I want to be president????
honested
January 25th, 2012
8:06 pm
I like Rep. Hatfield. He is a smart guy, not the classic moron republican.
But, this is just nuts.
wake up
January 25th, 2012
8:06 pm
Everyone in the state of Georgia should be embarrassed by this. It’s not funny. It’s not worthy. It’s a total embarrassment. Wake up, people. Get a grip on reality and stop acting like clowns.
Dave to Claire
January 25th, 2012
8:06 pm
Yeppers Claire, 4 more years. Enjoy your welfare check while you can, there won’t be any forthcoming when China calls in their loans and the U.S. can’t pay.
Bruce Springsteen
January 25th, 2012
8:07 pm
John Adams was not born in the USA
Plutodog
January 25th, 2012
8:07 pm
Dave, I suggest you get a lawyer when dealing with the courts because you haven’t a clue about the law. Sorry, dude. you’re clueless.
Bruce Springsteen
January 25th, 2012
8:07 pm
Thomas Jefferson was not born in the USA
WestOfAthens
January 25th, 2012
8:08 pm
Keep up the good work Georgia Republicans, spend my money on this argument, this is humorous.
This may be the only, albeit ignorant, way to impede what will happen in November, can you say two term Presidency?
Georgia Girl
January 25th, 2012
8:09 pm
What a complete EMBARRASSMENT to the state of Georgia.
Barbie Republican
January 25th, 2012
8:09 pm
Are we willing to let Georgia become a laughing stock to the nation and world because a group of crazy birthers are trying to bring this even crazier lawsuit? Really? Talk about potentially driving away business.
Bruce Springsteen
January 25th, 2012
8:10 pm
Button Gwinnett was not born in the USA
Barbie Republican
January 25th, 2012
8:11 pm
Let’s EXPORT the BIRTHERS!
Bruce Springsteen
January 25th, 2012
8:12 pm
John McCain was not born in the USA
Look before I leap...
January 25th, 2012
8:14 pm
Do you not think that this is actually a legal ploy to get this into the proper venue so it can be dismissed out-right?
If the idiot judge rules summarily in favor of the plaintiff, it will get appealed, the appellants win and the whole stupid issue is ended (at least for Georgia). Why waste time in the dog and pony show and give this case the gravitas is SO does not deserve?
KB
January 25th, 2012
8:15 pm
I would expect this type of non-sense from some of our neighboring states years ago, but to know that it is coming from Georgia is embarassing – to say the least. In addition, the fact that it is happening in 2012 is scary. If you dont like Obama, don’t vote for him – it’s as simple as that. Just don’t make the rest of us Georgians look like idiots as a result of your agenda, Mr. Hatfield.
Jackie
January 25th, 2012
8:15 pm
“Taking a stand”by boycotting a lawsuit they are not party to. Don’t be silly. We are a nation of laws and we need to let the courts handle this matter without silly posturing from the remnant of a democratic party in Georgia.
Bruce Springsteen
January 25th, 2012
8:15 pm
Alexander Hamilton was not born in the USA
Dr. J.
January 25th, 2012
8:16 pm
From the Georgia Ballot: ByeBye, Barry Hussein O-bama. Didn’t like him anyway. He has, with Bush’s help, destroyed this country’s economy.
Sadly, all the candidates we have left to choose from are blithering idiots who should be stripped of their citizenship.
What does one need to demonstrate to run this country? A lower IQ than everyone else?
I live in a racist state
January 25th, 2012
8:16 pm
Bunch of Dumb @$$#@! Thank you for helping us get 4 more years! Obama 2012!
Bruce Springsteen
January 25th, 2012
8:17 pm
Ben Franklin was not borh in the USA
melvinowens
January 25th, 2012
8:19 pm
i guess the fact the president’s mother is a natural born citizen and that this makes him a citizen, and the birther’s decison to ignore the fact that mr obama was born in hawaii, this all means nothing to the racists of the state of georgia. to them mr obama is just another nigra. re-elect president obama in 2012
WELL what now?
January 25th, 2012
8:19 pm
This is why we lose our freedoms. because we are to busy fighting over something stupid. Get over it, he is a citizen, do you really believe they would allow him to be president if he was not?
What about boycotting the PATRIOT ACT?
Look before I leap...
January 25th, 2012
8:19 pm
Dave to Claire
January 25th, 2012
8:06 pm
Yeppers Claire, 4 more years. Enjoy your welfare check while you can, there won’t be any forthcoming when China calls in their loans and the U.S. can’t pay
Loans?
What loans has China made to the US?
john doe
January 25th, 2012
8:19 pm
If we have Obama in for 4 more years we are screwed! plain and simple…I for one am tired for paying for everyone else to live! Please go get a job and make something of yourselves. We are already trillions in debt how are we gonna get outta this mess? oh and the one that said democrats are dumb and republicans are dumber….i think you got that backwards.
Adavis62
January 25th, 2012
8:20 pm
The state is showing just how backwards we can be. If this is the best “THEY” have in trying to keep the President from winning another term, he’s a shoe in. We say God bless this country, we need to say God bless this state, for we no not what we do! Folks you elected these people, and if you are proud of those you put in office, God bless you too!
Reality
January 25th, 2012
8:22 pm
I see that so many of you insist that we abide by the law. Well here you shout this out and fight for “A MULE AND 40 ACRES FOR EACH FORMER SLAVE” Yeah just what I thought back stepping and making excuses. I knew I would lose all of you Law Abiding so called something on this one. You, your words, your morality and any concept of humanity is all a big lie.