I like what Bill Cosby said about the possibility that Donald Trump, he of the weirdly sculpted hair and preposterous views, might run for president: "I don't care."
But the fact that new polling of likely Republican primary voters finds the self-promoter tied with former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee (17 percent each) just behind former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney (21 percent) on their wish list for the 2012 GOP nomination deserves some scrutiny.
It is tempting to say they're all nuts. But the more likely rationale for anyone to say "I want Trump to be president of the country" is a huge amount of disgust and frustration with current leaders in Washington. And there's the natural tendency of Republicans to lust after business people, such as Romney, even over-the-top real estate moguls, such as Trump, whose corporations file for bankruptcy, who routinely discard spouses (Trump's on his third marriage) and who have no clue about serious national issues.
Trump's insistence that he doubts that President Obama was born in the United States is proof positive he is not to be taken seriously. The canard that the president was not born in America has been debunked so decisively that Trump can only be called a liar who's trying to seduce the fringe element of the Tea Partiers.
("Birthers" are paranoid delusionals and conspiracy nuts who have no respect for truth in striving desperately to find excuses to hate the president. The state of Hawaii vouches for Obama's birth and newspapers at the time duly recorded it. Trump's claim that Obama's step grandmother said she was present at Obama's birth -- in Kenya -- has been thoroughly rejected. She allegedly said that to a translator on the telephone before she corrected herself to say Obama was born in Hawaii. This is truly one of the stupidest debates in U.S. history.)
No one has ever accused the bombastic Trump of being thoughtful. His foreign policy views are ridiculous, designed to appeal to know-nothings. He wants to shut U.S. borders. He does not want the United States involved in any way in the Middle East. He says South Korea does not help offset the cost of keeping 28,500 U.S. military personnel stationed there. (Politifact says that is not true; South Korea pays the U.S. hundreds of millions of dollars to defray the cost of keeping the peace on the Korean peninsula.)
Trump, who popularized the nasty "you're fired" put-down, says he won't say whether he's running for president or not because if he decides to run, NBC would have to cancel his reality TV show and that wouldn't be "fair" to the network.
In an era when economic and international crises erupt daily, demanding knowledge and careful analysis, Trump's flagrant appropriation of the political climate for further self- aggrandizement is breathtakingly cynical. On the other hand, he's perfect to reflect the childish display of ineptitude seen in Washington D.C. these days.
And then there's the basic question of why any normal, sane human being would want to be president. Trump's arrogant answer: "I will do the best job." In truth, he is creating jobs -- he sent "investigators" to Hawaii to search for Obama's birth certificate (which Hawaii put online). Not surprisingly, the investigators report they have to stay a bit longer.
What Trump's dramatic, implausible rise to near the top of the celebrity ladder on the road to the 2012 election really says is that the field is not settled. Once serious candidates start declaring, the Trump balloon will deflate faster than a news cycle.
Here's a flat-out prediction. When we inaugurate a president on January 20, 2013, the raised hand taking the oath of office on the Capitol steps will not belong to Donald Trump.
Trump will still be on Celebrity Alley pushing his name and persona to promote yet another loony-tunes venture that mainly profits Trump. I, among many, won't care.
Scripps Howard columnist Ann McFeatters has covered the White House and national politics since 1986.
Dale Whiting posted at 3:05 pm on Mon, Apr 18, 2011.
P.S. In comments on another article we have a parallel debate over Hawaii and birthers. For those who are not folloing that debate, sign onto the official state of Hawaii web site and search for Obama Birth certificate. There the state releases the statement of the adninistrator who has verified that he has seen the official certificate on file which documents and acknowledges that Barach Husein Obama Jr. was born in Honolulu in August of 1961.
It's official! The president was born in Hawaii. But John McCain was born in Panama.
Dale Whiting posted at 2:53 pm on Mon, Apr 18, 2011.
This is the 36th comment made. I have made four other comments.
Can't say Trumps austensible canidadcy is still a joke. It looks like the Neo-conservatives are taking him seriously. His logic is "infalable" to Neo-cons. He is a better candidate than are either Romney or Huntsman because he is worth more, implying that he is a better businessman. Should Trump get elected, we will see a new era of government. Big business will no longer have to buy its way into government. It will be government!
sockratties posted at 7:09 am on Sun, Apr 17, 2011.
The state of Hawaii provides a certificate of live birth as the document usually called a “birth certificate.”
The Constitution of the United States
Article IV - The States
Section 1 - Each State to Honor all others
Full Faith and Credit shall be given in each State to the public Acts, Records, and judicial Proceedings of every other State. And the Congress may by general Laws prescribe the Manner in which such Acts, Records and Proceedings shall be proved, and the Effect thereof.
It’s hard to believe that even “The Donald” can be so dense he can’t understand that the documentation is provided. It’s also hard to believe that the “birthers” by into the rhetoric. It’s not hard to believe that Trump is ramping up the hype to benefit his new “reality” show scheduled for the fall. There’ll be a lot of birthers watching their hero on TV that night.
abimopectore posted at 8:49 pm on Wed, Apr 13, 2011.
Here's another link that debunks Timothy Adams testimony:
http://www.thefogbow.com/special-reports/tim-adams/
You'd be a fool to take this guy seriously after all the discrepancies in his story.
abimopectore posted at 8:46 pm on Wed, Apr 13, 2011.
Timothy Adams is all rumor and innuendo. He heard things and that's it. Here's his affidavit, it's all here-say which no court room would ever allow as evidence except folks who wish to believe in a conspiracy:
http://www.scribd.com/doc/47512486/Sworn-Affidavit-by-Tim-Adams-No-Hawaii-Hospital-Generated-Long-Form-Birth-Cert-Exists-for-Obama
The lack of evidence as Timothy provides in his affidavit IS NOT evidence that proves his point. Folks take a logic class if you don't understand this.
Accuracy posted at 4:44 pm on Wed, Apr 13, 2011.
In the article posted by abimopectore the former director of Hawaii's Department of Health lies again to cover up her tracks.
On October 31, 2008, Dr. Chiyome Fukino, director of the Hawaii Department of Health, released a statement verifying that Barack Obama's birth certificate was on file in their records.
This time through telephone comments with NBC (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/42519951/ns/politics-more_politics/)
she says "It’s kind of ludicrous at this point."
Why don’t they talk to Timothy Adams who served as senior government records clerk in Honolulu in 2008, who was informed by his boss that Hawaii's Department of Health did not have Barack Hussein Obama’s birth record. Adams also insist Obama’s Certificate of Live Birth is fake and forgery.
abimopectore posted at 11:10 am on Wed, Apr 13, 2011.
The following article should clearly dispel the misconceptions of the "birthers." If you can't believe what it says, you're never going to believe anything:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/42519951/ns/politics-more_politics/
Cerulean posted at 8:39 pm on Tue, Apr 12, 2011.
Dale,
I'll give you mine too, if you tell me what sources you want.
I am just a little confused.
Accuracy posted at 3:18 pm on Tue, Apr 12, 2011.
You are right Slabside,
Dale Whiting sounds just like all of the Liberal Democrats that used Neo-Con in their sarcastic comments for years. Liberals used it as a sardonic means, marked by bitterness, to cut Republican Conservatives.
Slabside posted at 2:22 pm on Tue, Apr 12, 2011.
Accuracy, I'll lay odds that he mumbles "Neo-Cons" in his sleep.[wink]
Accuracy posted at 12:57 pm on Tue, Apr 12, 2011.
A Neo-con theme??
Arizona is not the only state that wants to revive legislation to make President Barack Obama and other presidential candidates show their birth certificates. There are the "Birther Bills" introduced in other state legislatures. As a matter-of fact "Birther Bills" have been proposed in at least 8 states this year.
Dale Whiting posted at 10:26 am on Tue, Apr 12, 2011.
Accuracy,
"If these requirements aren't followed, with a birth certificate or alternative documentation options to prove citizenship, the candidate's name won't appear on the Arizona ballot next year."
And your point is? Hardly think any Democrat running in a national election would stand a chance in Arizona. And since ours is not a popular vote total, but an electoral college total, it makes abolutely no difference. Much to do about nothing, a Neo-con theme.
Accuracy posted at 11:16 am on Mon, Apr 11, 2011.
“The dispute continues” – You’ve got that right, Slabside…….. Why doesn’t President Barack Hussein Obama show his birth certificate?
And billionaire businessman Donald Trump continues his doubts about President Obama’s birth certificate. Trump has agreed to a meeting with Republican state Rep. Carl Seel of Arizona, the author of the "birther bill" that would require documented proof of American birth.
Arizona’s HB 2177 would require political parties to provide the candidate's birth certificate and a statement saying where the candidate has lived for the last 14 years. Yes, requirement that President Barack Obama and other presidential candidates show their eligibility to run for the office by proving their citizenship. If these requirements aren't followed, with a birth certificate or alternative documentation options to prove citizenship, the candidate's name won't appear on the Arizona ballot next year.
Slabside posted at 10:06 am on Mon, Apr 11, 2011.
This entire subject could be put to rest if Barack HUSSEIN Obama would produce a CERTIFIED copy of his birth certificate. He can't, so he won't. The dispute continues.
Dale Whiting posted at 8:37 am on Mon, Apr 11, 2011.
Ok Gang, you asked for it!
Quoting from the Article reported by Barbara Nelson [my notes added in brackets], we read:
“I [Barbara] may be the only person left who specifically remembers his [Barack Obama’s] birth. His parents [Ann Dunham and Barack Sr.] are gone, his grandmother is gone [both of Ann’s parents], the obstetrician who delivered him is gone,” said Nelson, referring to Dr. Rodney T. West, who died in February [of 2008] at the age of 98. Here’s the story: Nelson was having dinner at the Outrigger Canoe Club on Waikiki Beach with Dr. West, the father of her college friend, Jo-Anne. Making conversation, Nelson turned to Dr. West and said: “‘So, tell me something interesting that happened this week,’” she recalls.
His [Dr. West’s] response: “Well, today, Stanley had a baby. Now that’s something to write home about.”
The new mother was Stanley (later referred to by her middle name of Ann) Dunham, and the baby was Barack Hussein Obama.
“I penned the name on a napkin, and I did write home about it,” said Nelson, knowing that her father, Stanley A. Czurles, director of the Art Education Department at Buffalo State College, would be interested in the “Stanley” connection.
Analysis:
Where Barbara appears to have had a personal relationship with Dr. Rodney T. West, the father of her close friend Jo-Anne, a relationship strong enough to have engaged in casual conversation over dining out, and where Dr. Rodney T. West appears to have known Stanley Ann Dunham, Barack Obama’s mother, well enough to refer to her as “Stanley”, any relatively recent retirement by Dr. West would not have ruled out his delivery in August of 1961of Barack Obama for Stanley, a rather unique person. Point is, he recalled this birth well enough to remember both the names Stanley Obama and Barack Hussein Obama.
We have absolutely no citations of authority by the above detracting commenters who would cast doubts as to what “retirement” means. Did Dr. West retire form the hospital yet maintain a private practice? This is not an unusual arrangement for obstetricians! And where Dr. West "was certified by the American Board of Obstetrics & Gynecology in 1958 and practiced at The Straub Clinic and Hospital until his retirement in December 1977" as Cerulean reports, it is entirely likely that Dr. West delivered Barack Obama. Absent disclosure of sources, comments are nearly worthless!
Other references place Ann Obama in Honolulu as a student just before and just after birth. The argument that Ann would have traveled to Kenya to give birth make no sense. Likely she had access to better pre-natal and obstetrics care in Hawaii than did anyone in Kenya. And who living on the sort of assets students had could elect to do so. Birthers are crazy. John McCain was not born in the States, either. He was born in Panama.
So how about it, all of you Neo-cons! An of you care to share with us your references? Cerulean, you needed to have given us yours, too. I gave you mine!
sockratties posted at 7:08 am on Mon, Apr 11, 2011.
The huge amount of ambiguous information available is both a curse and a blessing. It makes it possible to believe what you want to believe. We should focus on issues that are critical to the nation but those who have a grasp of clout and power would choose and even encourage that we quarrel over trifles. They readily throw a cat over the fence to make the dogs fight while they’re looting the house. A good look at people who have no clue but will support their guaranteed slide into social, cultural and financial oblivion is in the book “Deer Hunting With Jesus” by Joe Bageant. It describes the mindset of many of our fellow commenters. Those who would rather fight with the dogs will dismiss it but it provides an interesting read for those who care to think.
Accuracy posted at 8:32 pm on Sun, Apr 10, 2011.
The first model of the IBM Selectric typewriter was released on July 31, 1961. This was less than three weeks before the “CERTIFICATION OF LIVE BIRTH” for BARACK HUSSEIN OBAMA II – Dated, August 8th of that year in Hawaii.
“CERTIFICATION OF LIVE BIRTH” for BARACK HUSSEIN OBAMA II, featured on the website in 2008: http://msgboard.snopes.com/politics/graphics/birth.jpg
Dr. Rodney T. West was the recollection of a teacher, Barbara Nelson. The teacher from Kenmore who recalls Obama was a focused student
At the end of the war, Dr. Rodney T. West returned to Honolulu and on March 26, 1946 was discharged from active duty. In September of l949, he resigned from the Naval Reserve as a full Commander. Then, after practicing on the Big Island of Hawaii as plantation doctor at Ola`a Sugar Plantation (Kea`au), he returned to Honolulu and join the Obstetrics and Gynecology Department of The Clinic (now Straub Clinic & Hospital). In December of l956, after delivering at least 5,000 babies, he retired from the practice of medicine. In l963, he served as the President of the Hawaii Medical Association and in l975, he helped found and was the first president of the American College of Physician Executives.
sockratties posted at 9:50 am on Sun, Apr 10, 2011.
The IBM Selectric typewriter (occasionally known as the IBM golfball typewriter) was a highly successful model line of electric typewriters. IBM introduced it on July 31, 1961
Our records show that Dr. Rodney T. West was Chief of Staff at Kapiolani Hospital in 1953. He was certified by the American Board of Obstetrics & Gynecology in 1958 and practiced at The Straub Clinic and Hospital until his retirement in December 1977.
Thank you for your interest.
The Queens Medical Center
Mamiya Medical Heritage Center
BWA HA HA HA HA!!! Good job Accuracy!
chick posted at 8:45 pm on Sat, Apr 9, 2011.
We are constantly told how "smart" Barry is, well, I'd like to see his transcripts. His medical records too. My kids have to show their BC for little league, cheerleading, school entrance, etc. What's wrong with Barry that he can't actually display his BC and why doesn't any hospital want to claim his birth?
Slabside posted at 8:14 pm on Sat, Apr 9, 2011.
BWA HA HA HA HA!!! Good job Accuracy![beam]
Accuracy posted at 4:19 pm on Sat, Apr 9, 2011.
Dale Whiting posted: “Here is evidence that people acquainted with Ann Durham recalled her giving birth on August 4, 1961 to Barack Hussein Obama, Jr. in Honolulu, Hawaii.” http://mysite.ncnetwork.net/res10o2yg/obama/Teacher%20from%20Kenmore%20recalls%20Obama%20was%20a%20focused%20student%20%20Don't%20Miss%20%20The%20Buffalo%20News.htm
___________________________
A web-site all about the story by Barbara Nelson of Kenmore who said she was having dinner and conversation in 1961 at the Outrigger Canoe Club on Waikiki Beach with Dr. Rodney T. West, the father of her college friend, Jo-Anne.
Story was published in the Buffalo News, February 17, 2009, from a interview with Barbara Nelson, by Paula Voell, News Staff Reporter. It was cited by the Democratic Underground website under the headline “Independent Confirmation of Obama’s Birth.”
Obstetrician, Dr. Rodney T. West could not possibly have delivered Barack Hussein Obama, Jr, according to a Hawaiian Pearl Harbor history website, because he retired in 1956, five years before Obama’s birth. Barbara Nelson left that out.
Barbara Nelson also says she was “Barry” Obama’s teacher in Honolulu, Hawaii.
Slabside posted at 2:57 pm on Sat, Apr 9, 2011.
Spins and straw men... it's what Libs do best!
Accuracy posted at 1:46 pm on Sat, Apr 9, 2011.
Posted by sockratties: “The birth certificate itself is available on line do to the high demand on Hawaiian state records.” (http://msgboard.snopes.com/politics/graphics/birth.jpg)
The type on the image of the “CERTIFICATION OF LIVE BIRTH” for BARACK HUSSEIN OBAMA II, featured on the website in 2008, was done by an IBM Selectric, which did not start coming on the market until many years after 1961, when he was born.
The “reasonable doubt” posted by Rich reveals that Obama is withholding birth records that he (and his money men) have spent a fortune hiding for some reason.
The birth certificate question and doubt never was marginal. The question is serious and well within the scope and the lawful requirements of the Constitution.
sockratties posted at 10:49 am on Sat, Apr 9, 2011.
I found it by googling "mysite.ncnetwork.net/res10o2yg/obama" and the second item listed is: Teacher from Kenmore recalls Obama was a focused student." The birth certificate itself is available on line do to the high demand on Hawiian state records.
Rich posted at 10:28 am on Sat, Apr 9, 2011.
Dale,
Bad Link. And basically there is a document that needs presentation, until or unless it is, the question will remain as a reasonable doubt, in other words failing American standards of truth. And even then it is not so much the document itself, but rather the fact that it is hidden and kept so that should occasion doubt in any reasonable person.
Dale Whiting posted at 9:58 am on Sat, Apr 9, 2011.
Dear Birthers: Here is evidence that people acquainted with Ann Durham recalled her giving birth on August 4, 1961 to Barack Hussein Obama, Jr. in Honolulu, Hawaii.
http://mysite.ncnetwork.net/res10o2yg/obama/Teacher%20from%20Kenmore%20recalls%20Obama%20was%20a%20focused%20student%20%20Don't%20Miss%20%20The%20Buffalo%20News.htm
sockratties posted at 9:03 am on Sat, Apr 9, 2011.
Ann – Good Commentary except it flatters Trump. Several of those who responded to your article are typical of the ill-informed who would actually vote for a self aggrandizing rock-star like "the Donald.”
As for slabside’s comments:
{1. We have a president in the WH that began his political aspirations in the living room of a documented terrorist that bombed police stations.
2. Before being elected to Congress his political experience consisted of using a staple gun adhering posters to telephone poles.
3. No documentation of his formal education is available to the voters}
We can quote the following from Wikipedia:
“A native of Honolulu, Hawaii, Obama is a graduate of Columbia University and Harvard Law School, where he was the president of the Harvard Law Review. He was a community organizer in Chicago before earning his law degree. He worked as a civil rights attorney in Chicago and taught constitutional law at the University of Chicago Law School from 1992 to 2004.
“Obama served three terms in the Illinois Senate from 1997 to 2004. Following an unsuccessful bid against the Democratic incumbent for a seat in the United States House of Representatives in 2000, he ran for United States Senate in 2004. Several events brought him to national attention during the campaign, including his victory in the March 2004 Democratic primary and his keynote address at the Democratic National Convention in July 2004. He won election to the U.S. Senate in November 2004.”
Of course having this information available probably makes Wikipedia an instrument of the left-wing pinko-progressive ideologs.
k33j88 posted at 7:08 am on Sat, Apr 9, 2011.
I do have a question for you "liberals" out there. Where is the "clarity" that the illegal in the WH esposed during the campaign? College documents---passport---medical records---legal residency records---known associations with communist/socialist groups---soros connection---need I say more???
k33j88 posted at 7:01 am on Sat, Apr 9, 2011.
Thank you slabside for cutting to the chase and exposing the lies and incompetance of the liberal agenda.
chick posted at 12:41 am on Sat, Apr 9, 2011.
What the heck is she smoking? Mary Jane?
Dale Whiting posted at 9:13 pm on Fri, Apr 8, 2011.
Don't fret Ann. Time will prove you correct!
Slabside posted at 7:42 pm on Fri, Apr 8, 2011.
Why would Obama spend 2 million dollars to hide his past? Obamatards have to be the stupidest sheep on the planet!
Cerulean posted at 6:47 pm on Fri, Apr 8, 2011.
I especially like Ann McFeatters suggestion that “"Birthers" are paranoid delusionals and conspiracy nuts who have no respect for truth in striving desperately to find excuses to hate the president.”
I could not agree more, Ann. [wink]
Accuracy posted at 5:24 pm on Fri, Apr 8, 2011.
Rich posted: “I actually believe Obama was born in Hawaii, but I don't know that for sure, and neither, apparently do most people.”
--------------------------------------------------------------
Yes, and Donald Trump, during an interview with NBC’s “Today” show on Thursday morning, says he has “real doubts” about President Barack Obama’s birthplace and has sent investigators to Hawaii to find out whether Obama was in fact born there, as he claims.
Donald Trump insisted he didn't introduce the citizenship issue, but he has drawn a lot of attention for touching a raw nerve with most voters, questioning where President Obama was born. He's looked into it and now believes there is a big possibility Obama may have violated the Constitution and it is the greatest scams in the history of politics.
Meanwhile, New York City Donald Trump has been making headlines with rumblings he may run for president. Republicans think billionaire and reality star Trump would make a good presidential candidate. Trump says he'll decide by June.
Leon Ceniceros posted at 3:51 pm on Fri, Apr 8, 2011.
WOW.....SOME ONE ISN'T TAKING THEIR ...."OVER-50"...PILLS.
"..PARANOID DELUSIONALS AND CONSPIRACY NUTS"......MAYBE SOMEBODY SHOULD SUGGEST SOME ...."ANGER MANAGEMENT" COURSES TO THE NICE LADY.
BUT THEN AGAIN....WHAT DID YOU EXPECT FROM A....."SAN DIEGO, COMMIE-FORNIA......SCRIPPS HOWARD NEWS SERVICE COLUMNIST".
AT LEAST I HOPE SHE ISN'T FROM....."TEXAS".....LIKE THE SCRIPSS-HOWARD COLUMNIST WHO IS ALWAYS PREACHING TO ARIZONIANS TO ....."OPEN THE BORDERS" ...AND LET THE REST OF MEXICO COME IN TO OUR STATE.
Rich posted at 3:20 pm on Fri, Apr 8, 2011.
"The canard that the president was not born in America has been debunked so decisively ..."
I'd appreciate a reference. The only thing I've seen is a certificate that is hardly reliable, my equivalent misses my birthday by ten days, and a newspaper ad, like the one my grandparents published in Long Island's Newsday when I was born in Los Angeles. This constant attack of people asking a legitimate question as "paranoid delusionals and conspiracy nuts" is rather indicative that someone is hiding something and paying well for it. I actually believe Obama was born in Hawaii, but I don't know that for sure, and neither, apparently do most people.
Slabside posted at 2:24 pm on Fri, Apr 8, 2011.
Trump's political aspirations a joke? I can provide some more humor Ann McFeatters.
1. We have a president in the WH that began his political aspirations in the living room of a documented terrorist that bombed police stations.
2. Before being elected to Congress his political experience consisted of using a staple gun adhering posters to telephone poles.
3. No documentation of his formal education is available to the voters
4. He is a political puppet of all the money George Soros is inclined to spend.
Are you in stitches yet Ann McFeatters. No? Neither am I.