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
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552 comments Add your comment
mx
January 25th, 2012
9:04 pm
cisco, hey boy why is that blacks make up only 12% of the population, but commit over 67% of all crime?
Leroy
January 25th, 2012
9:05 pm
Soldier for Life, thank you for your service!! Both men and women, black and white, Latino and Asian, gay and straight serve our nation and provide us with freedom!! It’s time for us to be appreciative for all the different makeups of our society!! When looking at the big picture, we’re all Americans after all and isn’t that what really counts??
Old Dawg
January 25th, 2012
9:05 pm
It doesn’t matter who Obama’s father is or where he was born. His mother was from Kansas, one of our states. End of story.
Based on the GOP’s logic, Mitt Romney, who was born in Mexico, isn’t a citizen and shouldn’t be president. But his parents are Americans. John McCain was born in a Naval Medical facility in Panama; however, because his parents were American citizens, he is an American citizen.
I have two cousins who were born in France when my uncle was stationed with the Army in France. They have citizenship both countries, though they have lived in the U.S for the vast majority of their lives.
This is an insane issue. There are too many REAL problems facing our country than some wild goose chase like this.
DoWhatsRight
January 25th, 2012
9:06 pm
Most Harvard grads are idiots!
Can't We All Get Along
January 25th, 2012
9:06 pm
It is amazing what Fear will do to People who live in the Greatest Country in the World. There is no President in History who has to deal with the lack of respect for his Presidency, than this President. You don’t have to agree with his Politics, but you should give him the respect he deserves. The antics that people have gone through to descredit this President is amazing. Do people actually think that this man would have been able to run for President if he didn’t meet the qualifications to be President. People wake up, this would not have happen. We have the most sophisticated intelligence system in the world. Bottom line, if there is a candidate for President, that appeals to the mast majority other than this President, they will win. I do not necessary agree with everything this President has done or said, but my opinion is, he has done a job of none otherthan a man with integrity. I would like to see another President deal with what this President has to deal with while in office. Everyone has a opinion on how things should be done, but that is easy to say while sitting on the sidelines.
DoWhatsRight
January 25th, 2012
9:08 pm
Can’t We All Get Along, this President has been treated no differently than the way the Dems treated President Bush. So, if PO can’t take the heat, he should get out of the kitchen.
Mr. Ected
January 25th, 2012
9:09 pm
The issue is irrelevant and most Republicans are ashamed to be associated with this debacle. The same could be said of Newt Gingrich’s presidential aspirations….
Last Man Standing
January 25th, 2012
9:09 pm
The true reason for the boycott is that adequate proof of his qualification as a candidate can’t be produced. Georgia is the first state to actually challenge his qualification to hold the office of President, and will be the first to require proof that he meets all requirements.
Now, if more states will follow suit . . .
Marco Polo
January 25th, 2012
9:10 pm
DoWhatsRight
I guess for the same reason the Republican Party is not called the KKK.
Troubled
January 25th, 2012
9:10 pm
I’m so sorry people…but Obama was put in place by God…..and until God is finish he’ll be there….This will never pass…Not only will he be on the ballot he may win…God’s decision…..HELLO!!!!!!!!! I’m ashame to say I was born in the USA.
Stan
January 25th, 2012
9:10 pm
Sam-B, you’re right, none of the Republican candidates have even a tenth of Obama’s character!! Character is the utmost important trait in any presidential candidate!! Obama for 2012!!!
Stand UP for the LAWS... these are being "taken away from us SLOWLY" by OBUMMER and his CZARS!
January 25th, 2012
9:11 pm
Statement from above paragraph by Jim Galloway “…. But many ranking Republicans are doing their best to keep their distance”. THAT is what the PROBLEM is… SEVERAL of OUR elected OFFICIALS are COWARDS!!! HOORAY for THIS elected official— state Rep. Mark Hatfield, R-Waycross!!!!
Last Man Standing
January 25th, 2012
9:11 pm
Can’t We All Get Along:
I give Obama all the respect he deserves, which is none.
DoWhatsRight
January 25th, 2012
9:12 pm
Marco Polo: the Republican Party has done more for Blacks in the country than the Dems ever have. If it were up to the Dems of the 1800s, the Blacks would still be slaves. Yes, lets keep suppressing blacks so that we can continue to give them welfare so that they will keep voting for Dems.
Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will crush the heads of the perverted New World Order integrationist crowd and their devilish black minions
January 25th, 2012
9:12 pm
I don’t believe Obama is going to obey the order to appear before Deputy Chief Judge Michael Malihi to determine if he is a natural born citizen, qualified to be on the Georgia ballot, and eligible to President of the United States. If Americans haven’t heard, the politicians in Washington DC are globalist and they abide by international law that’s administered by the United Nations.
On the other hand, the overwhelming majority of Americans are nationalist. They honor the Bill of Rights and the Constitution of the United States. But in the minds of the globalists, international law trumps national law. And as a result, Obama and the democrat party believe they have the legal authority to ignore any proceedings initiated by the “outdated” supreme law of our land.
I’m willing to bet all of the tea in China that Obama and the Democrat Party will disobey the order to appear before Deputy Chief Judge Michael Malihi on tomorrow; we shall see.
Amen?
GA - Proud home of the Falcons, Braves, Home Depot, Delta Airlines and Lunatics "R" Us.
January 25th, 2012
9:12 pm
To all the the posters here who are offering fact based, rational and well reasoned arguments to the tin-foil hat wearing, birther, dingbats here…
I humbly recommend we take a cue from the Obama legal team and just quietly exit the room and leave them to their hate-driven insanity.
If this all they have come November, Obama will not be needing to update his resume for another 5 years.
jconservative
January 25th, 2012
9:12 pm
“…the term “natural born citizen” has been clearly defined by the Supreme Court.”
The Supreme Court has ruled 3 times that Obama is a natural born citizen.
And for the record they also ruled that McCain is a natural born citizen.
Those cases clear the 2008 election and any future presidential elections any of the two enter.
GA Tech
January 25th, 2012
9:14 pm
What happened to this country?? Although we may disagree on some issues, we should all respect our President!! He’s by far the best candidate this country has seen in many years!! The last very incompetent president we had left this country in terrible shape. Thank God we had Obama save us!!
Marco Polo
January 25th, 2012
9:14 pm
DoWhatsRight
Put down your meth pipe.
Realist
January 25th, 2012
9:15 pm
“But resist, we MUCH – we must and we will much about that be committed”
DoWhatsRight
January 25th, 2012
9:15 pm
GA Tech, i will forgive your naivity
Look before I leap...
January 25th, 2012
9:16 pm
Old Dawg
January 25th, 2012
9:05 pm
It doesn’t matter who Obama’s father is or where he was born. His mother was from Kansas, one of our states. End of story.
Based on the GOP’s logic, Mitt Romney, who was born in Mexico, isn’t a citizen and shouldn’t be president. But his parents are Americans. John McCain was born in a Naval Medical facility in Panama; however, because his parents were American citizens, he is an American citizen.
Mitt Romney was born in Detroit, MI
DoWhatsRight
January 25th, 2012
9:16 pm
Marco Polo? So Lincoln was a Dem? LOL Get your facts straight!
Sam-B
January 25th, 2012
9:17 pm
Last Man Standing , go to bed you lack what it takes to even vote…. you will be the last one standing on stupid…….. Take your bottle or do you still use Mommie?
Last Man Standing
January 25th, 2012
9:17 pm
Old Dawg:
“It doesn’t matter who Obama’s father is or where he was born. His mother was from Kansas, one of our states. End of story.”
You display an amazing degree of ignorance if you believe what you wrote! I would urge you to revisit the qualifications to become President before you embarrass yorself further.
Can't We All Get Along
January 25th, 2012
9:17 pm
DoWhatsRight, Its funny that you called Him President Bush, but there are many times when President Obama has been referred to as Obama. And the last time I checked, no one was questioning President Bush birther. And I notice you didn’ address that point. Also, I believe this President is handling the kitchen very well, that is why after being in office all these years he is having to deal with this type of political bs.
Professor Luke
January 25th, 2012
9:17 pm
A president can’t be expected to undo damage of a two term president instantly. Fixing the economy takes time and Obama’s on the right path! The problem is Congress with all their bipartisan bickering! As citizens, we need to send our Congress representatives letters demanding that they actually accomplish something and stop acting like elementary children!! This nonsense has got to stop!!!
mx
January 25th, 2012
9:18 pm
Marxists rock! go obomba!
Marco Polo
January 25th, 2012
9:18 pm
I never mentioned Lincoln being anything boy. Now put down your meth pipe.
Mama Says
January 25th, 2012
9:19 pm
Don’t dare say anything negative about Obama. It makes the liberals go nuts. Suddenly they remember that the office should be respected and name calling is is what those crazy loons who are out of control do. ( flash to image of a lefty holding a poster of Bush in a German uniform bearing the swastika, which says war criminal)
Never mind 8 Years of total disrespect for Bush. Hitler, Stalin and Bozo The Clown were the nice things they supported. We dont even need to mention the more serious vulgar ones. What about the racist label for killing innocent Muslims ? How about War Criminal.
Interesting how they forget these labels when their guy continues Bush’s war, wire taps, rendition and oh yeah bombs a new country (Libya).
By the way the entire hate the other parties president started when the Clinton’s were investigated for their alleaged illegal land deals in Arkansas. You libs decided it was just happenstance that aids and advisors started dying. You thought it was ok for the president to lie, under oath, to a federal grand jury. You simplified his actions and justified them by reducing it to a simple head hunting effort on conservatives part. You ignored the more relevant facts of lies and money. The affairs were the least of his deceit. Through it all you ignored it. You ignored the fact that on the political side of things he converted to a conservative in order to cut welfare and balanced a budget ( with Newt as a partner), bombed a baby formula factory in the Sudan, ran like a coward from rebels in Somalia, even after they drug our troops bodies through the streets. You ignore it all.
Why ? so u can feel good abouth your misguided thievery of individuals money. Except of course your own. Not one poor democrat in federal office yet conservatives are the “1%”, greedy monsters coming to get the babies.
And u rage about a birth certificate hearing. You instantly mind read every white person in the country and declare them racist, all while you convently ignore that 53% of them voted for a black man.
You eagerly and readily denounce religion although 90% of you are members of a denomination, which most likely condemns abortion, a fact which you again ignore.
All to do what ? Prove your good people ? Your ranks are equally filled with racist, anti Semite biggots. Child eating mega rich and yes adulterous self righteous womanizers. Do you care ? Abviously not- you protect them all
Stick to your guns you have to do what you do to avoid your own smell
mx
January 25th, 2012
9:19 pm
Hussein!!!
Julia Sugarbaker
January 25th, 2012
9:19 pm
I’m saying this is the South. And we’re proud of our crazy people. We don’t hide them up in the attic. We bring ‘em right down to the living room and show ‘em off. See, no one in the South ever asks if you have crazy people in your family. They just ask what side they’re on.
DoWhatsRight
January 25th, 2012
9:21 pm
Cant We All Get Along: Bush was prior military, presented his birth certificate many times as a result. He was also the son of a President. PO never served, was not the son of a President. He never held any official office or position that would require the presentation of a birth certificate. I’m not doubting that he produced a birth certificate, but why did he wait two years when he could have presented it right away and removed all doubt rather than letting this fester. …..fishy!
SEC BAMA FAN
January 25th, 2012
9:21 pm
It was might white of “Uncle” Clarence Thomas to skip the State of the Union last night. Maybe he and his wife were watching Gone with Win or Long Dong Silver.
GA Tech
January 25th, 2012
9:22 pm
DoWhatsRight, learn how to spell!! Did you graduate high school?
john doe
January 25th, 2012
9:22 pm
He might be the coolest to hang out with, but he is the dumbest president we ever had. Trillions in debt and people wanna vote for him again so we can be trillions more in debt and then have china own us. there is a thought. Or people just want the government to pay for their housing and cars and drugs and kids…..
DoWhatsRight
January 25th, 2012
9:22 pm
Marco Polo. Boy is a racist term. Now who is the racist?
Umm what?
January 25th, 2012
9:22 pm
Soooo, is Hawaii not a state?
DoWhatsRight
January 25th, 2012
9:23 pm
GA Tech. Yes, and I have an engineering degree an unfortunately I have to work with GA Tech grads who are idiots like you!
CJ
January 25th, 2012
9:23 pm
Shame on Governor Deal for not condemning this circus! Shame on all law makers in the state for not condemning this circus!
You might disagree with his politics, but Barack Obama is our President!
RESPECT this PRESIDENT????? WHY????
January 25th, 2012
9:24 pm
HE has NOT earned OUR RESPECT!!!
EXAMPLE: (1) BOWING down to “foreign dignitaries”…
(2) ON several occasions NOT been TRUTHFUL!!
(3) USE AIRFORCE ONE for transportation to HAWAII for vacations in THIS ECONOMY CRISIS
(4) USE AIRFORCE ONE for “dinner date” to New York City
(5) many more issues!!!
ls1z28chris
January 25th, 2012
9:25 pm
You know, I hate to side with the birthers, but I do with only one caveat. Instead of simply removing Obama’s name, they should replace it with George W. Bush II.
Sam-B
January 25th, 2012
9:25 pm
John Doe, wake up
RGB
January 25th, 2012
9:25 pm
All you folks who criticize Georgia in an attempt to elevate yourselves should know that you have the opposite effect.
I don’t see geniuses coming out of Hawaii/Illinois/Kenya, California, New York, or New Jersey.
1. Which state is your perfect state?
2. Should you choose to remain in Georgia rather than emigrate to that perfect state, that would make you the imbecile.
Chuckles
January 25th, 2012
9:25 pm
Point 1: Senator McCain was born as a non-citizen US National, and was naturalized two years after his birth by an Act of Congress. The Senate resolution was non-binding, and has no legal effect.
Point 2: President Obama was born in the State of Hawaii, therefore he was born in the United States, and subject to its jurisdiction — he is a natural born citizen.
The short form Certificate of Live Birth is prima facie evidence that must be accepted under Article IV Section 1 — the Full Faith and Credit clause.
Summary judgement for the defendant, based on the facts. Case closed.
Karen
January 25th, 2012
9:25 pm
What an idiot the Judge has to be, and the Pubs make Georgia look worse than Arizona.
john doe
January 25th, 2012
9:26 pm
I dont call him my president so i sure as hell dont respect him
mx
January 25th, 2012
9:27 pm
wow i’ve heard it all. “boy” is now a racist term huh? HIGHlarious
DoWhatsRight
January 25th, 2012
9:29 pm
MX, study history before you profess to be an expert on terminology. I’m white, but ask any black person if they consider the term “boy” racist. Most will say yes. Or you can choose to remain ignorant.
Master
January 25th, 2012
9:30 pm
White racist need not be ashamed. May God bless the racist idiot servants of the devil.