Editor's note: Tune in to AC360° Tuesday beginning at 10 p.m. ET to see the remainder of Gary Tuchman's investigation into President Barack Obama's birthplace.
(CNN) -- Was Barack Obama really born in America?
A new CNN investigation reveals what most analysts have been saying since the so-called "birther" controversy erupted during the 2008 presidential campaign: Obama was born in the state of Hawaii on August 4, 1961. Period.
Obama passes CNN birther investigation
While the president has made light of the controversy, the question remains political red meat for some of his critics. A recent CNN/Opinion Research Corporation poll showed that nearly 75% of Americans believe Obama was definitely or probably born in the United States. More than four in 10 Republicans, however, believe he probably or definitely was not born in America.
The U.S. Constitution says only "natural born" citizens can become president -- a vague clause that some members of the birther movement contend disqualifies Obama because, they insist, he was born outside the United States.
Skeptics contend, among other things, that Obama was born in his father's home country of Kenya. Potential GOP presidential candidate Donald Trump recently seized on the issue, saying he had doubts about Obama's background.
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CNN investigators in Honolulu, however, found nothing to reinforce those doubts.
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RELATED TOPICS Barack Obama Hawaii U.S. Politics Elections and Voting Cable News Network
Dr. Chiyome Fukino, a former director of the Hawaii Department of Health and a Republican, told CNN in her most extensive comments to date that she has "no doubt" Obama was born in the state.
Obama's 2008 campaign produced a "certification of live birth," a document legally accepted as confirmation of a birth and routinely used for official purposes. Fukino, however, went one step further, taking advantage of a state law that allows certain public officials to examine a person's actual birth certificate if there is a "direct and tangible interest."
The president's actual certificate, she said, is stored in a vault in the building that houses the Department of Health. Ironically, unlike the certificate of live birth, it is no longer accepted for official usage.
Obama's certificate is "absolutely authentic," she said. "He was absolutely born here in the state of Hawaii."
In order to see what happens when someone born in Hawaii requests a birth certificate, CNN asked a current resident of the state -- Stig Waidelich -- if he could get a copy of the document.
Waidelich was born just hours after Obama in August 1961. Like Obama, Waidelich's birth was announced at the time in the Honolulu Star Bulletin newspaper.
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Waidelich, like Obama in 2008, was given a certification of live birth in response to his request.
Could Obama's 1961 birth announcement in the Honolulu Star Bulletin be a fake? Some conspiracy theorists say yes. Longtime Honolulu newspaper reporter Dan Nakaso says no.
"It's not possible," Nakaso told CNN. "Under the system that existed back then, there was no avenue for people to submit information that way. ... The information came directly from the state Department of Health."
Indeed, as CNN confirmed, all birth announcements at the time came directly from hospital birth records.
Could Obama, a self-proclaimed Christian, be preventing the distribution of copies of the original birth certificate because it identifies him as a Muslim?
Fukino says no. The original certificate includes no mention of the president's religion. And indeed, other original certificates from that time don't mention faith.
Obama could file a Freedom of Information Act request to view his original birth certificate and make copies. But at this point, the White House maintains, nothing will satisfy the doubters.
Rick Smethurst, a 2008 John McCain voter who now lives in Obama's childhood home in Hawaii, counts himself among the doubters. He wants to find someone who saw Obama immediately after the president was born.
Current Hawaii Gov. Neil Abercrombie says he did. Abercrombie, a Democrat, was friendly with Ann Dunham, Obama's mother, and remembers celebrating the birth.
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"Of course, we had no idea at the time that the future president of the United States was that little boy, that little baby," Abercrombie recalled. But "we are very, very happy ... that took place."
Professor Alice Dewey of the University of Hawaii was a faculty adviser to Dunham and also knew the future president when he was a child. She called the controversy "funny." She said there is "no way" Obama wasn't born in the state.
Dewey remembered a conversation in which Dunham compared the birth of Obama with that of his sister, Maya, who actually was born overseas.
"She said, 'When I had Maya, it was a lot of more difficult because Indonesia doesn't believe in painkillers while you're giving birth. ... Of course, in the United States, giving birth to Barry (Obama's childhood nickname) was quite different and much more comfortable,' " Dewey recalled.
Waidelich's mother, Monika, believes she saw Obama in Honolulu's Kapiolani Medical Center next to her son back in 1961.
"In those days, there were hardly any other black babies," she told CNN.
The hospital wouldn't show patient records from 1961, but the state's African-American population was less than 1% at the time.
Regardless of the evidence, there may be no convincing some of those who question the president's origins.
"I find it a bit amusing in the sense that (the issue) keeps resurfacing over and over again," Fukino said. "It really tells us that the whole conspiracy notion is out there (and) that if there is an issue that needs a following, they will find one.
"No matter what you do or say, it make no difference," she said.
Abercrombie, who tried to put an end to the controversy when he became governor, told CNN he just hopes that "people who have this political orientation towards the president respect us here in Hawaii."
"Respect his mother and father," the governor urged. "Respect the people I loved and the people that I knew, and the little boy who grew up here in paradise and became president."
That, the evidence suggests, may be easier said than done.
BTW,Fukino even admits further down the article that you can still get a copy of your original birth certificate. Read the post I made that I pinged you to.
BTW,I DO believe he was born in Hawaii,but he doesn't want his birth certificate made public because it was show he is not and never has been the son of a African. He is the descendant of slaves,and the father named on the birth certificate is Frank Marshall Davis.
"I adore John McCain, support him 100 percent and will do everything I can to support his reelection. As everyone knows, I was honored and proud to run with him. And Todd and I were with him in D.C. just a week ago." (Sarah Palin,Dec 2009) ************************************ DID Palin say or write these things or not? (Me) I don't know or F ing care. (Mad Dog posted on 2009-12-26 16:36:33 ET,post # 105 http://libertysflame.com/cgi-bin/readart.cgi?ArtNum=5510&Disp=114#C114)
But Wisch, the spokesman for the attorney general's office, said state law does not in fact permit the release of "vital records," including an original "record of live birth" even to the individual whose birth it records.
"It's a Department of Health record and it can't be released to anybody," he said. Nor do state laws have any provision that authorizes such records to be photocopied, Wisch said. If Obama wanted to personally visit the state health department, he would be permitted to inspect his birth record, Wisch said.
But if he or anybody else wanted a copy of their birth records, they would be told to fill out the appropriate state form and receive back the same computer generated "certification of live birth" form that everybody else gets which is exactly what Obama did four years ago.
BTW,I DO believe he was born in Hawaii,but he doesn't want his birth certificate made public because it was show he is not and never has been the son of a African. He is the descendant of slaves,and the father named on the birth certificate is Frank Marshall Davis.
But Wisch, the spokesman for the attorney general's office, said state law does not in fact permit the release of "vital records," including an original "record of live birth" even to the individual whose birth it records.
Whose birth records are they,yours or the states?
"It's a Department of Health record and it can't be released to anybody," he said.
He's full of Bush. You have present one to enlist in the military.
Nor do state laws have any provision that authorizes such records to be photocopied, Wisch said.
That's not what Fukino says. And there ain't nothing new or high-tech about it. I got certified true copies of mine in 1964.
But if he or anybody else wanted a copy of their birth records, they would be told to fill out the appropriate state form and receive back the same computer generated "certification of live birth" form that everybody else gets which is exactly what Obama did four years ago.
An outright lie,times 2.
"I adore John McCain, support him 100 percent and will do everything I can to support his reelection. As everyone knows, I was honored and proud to run with him. And Todd and I were with him in D.C. just a week ago." (Sarah Palin,Dec 2009) ************************************ DID Palin say or write these things or not? (Me) I don't know or F ing care. (Mad Dog posted on 2009-12-26 16:36:33 ET,post # 105 http://libertysflame.com/cgi-bin/readart.cgi?ArtNum=5510&Disp=114#C114)
Obama blaming "speculators" for high oil prices has no merit either.
You are 100% incorrect. When 60-70% of the long market interest is by funds and investors who are incapable of taking delvery of the commodity it most certainly is an issue.
"Speculator" is a nonsensical term that leftist tyrants use to deflect attention away from their own disreputable policies. Every time I hear a politician use it, I know exactly what's going on -- they are trying to score political points with idiots like you, by creating boogie men that they can focus blame on.
Oil prices are rising for three reasons:
A.) Increased demand. There are 2.5 billion people in China, India, and Southeast Asia joining the world economy. They need energy.
B.) Slowing supply growth. The left-wing lunatics in the U.S. have been forcing domestic energy production to slowly shut down since the 1970s. There is little new drilling. Virtually no new refinement capacity has been created in over three decades.
C.) Increased risk. There is growing political turmoil in the Middle East. This increases the probability that the oil supply will be disrupted or even shut off at some point.
It's just that simple, but dummies like you would rather blame the "rich", the "greedy", and the "speculators" instead of facing reality and doing something about the real issues. You leftist morons have been doing this for the better part of 100 years, so it's no surprise.
"Everything that can be invented has been invented."-- Charles Duell, Commissioner of US Patent Office, 1899
"Speculator" is a nonsensical term that leftist tyrants use to deflect attention away from their own disreputable policies.
You have an ongoing penchant for typing stupid things. The above is no exception.
CalPERS Opposes Bill to Curb Oil Speculation
July 25, 2008 (PLANSPONSOR.com) - Saying it has a fiduciary duty to workers and retirees to diversify their investments, the California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS) released a statement on Thursday opposing the Stop Excessive Energy Speculation Act of 2008, The Politico reported.
The fund, which has $1.3 billion of its total $239 billion investment portfolio in commodities, according to The Politico, said legislation limiting its ability to invest in the commodities market would hurt workers and retirees invested in the pension fund.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Hilarious...squeezing a few bucks in return is okay even if it costs those same workers and retiress hundreds more at the pump.
CalPers is not in the oil business. If they have open interest in the oil market then they are SPECULATING.
ABP has HUGE open positions in oil. Why would Dutch Pension fund invest in NYMEX oil?
Speculator" is a nonsensical term that leftist tyrants use to deflect attention away from their own disreputable policies. Every time I hear a politician use it, I know exactly what's going on -- they are trying to score political points with idiots like you, by creating boogie men that they can focus blame on.
I guess there's no point to having any of those nasty commodity's markets except that their expressed purpose is to help the producers weather market fluctuations. Maybe they should be eliminated so oil producers can sink or swim like most other businesses.
A.) Increased demand. There are 2.5 billion people in China, India, and Southeast Asia joining the world economy. They need energy.
B.) Slowing supply growth. The left-wing lunatics in the U.S. have been forcing domestic energy production to slowly shut down since the 1970s. There is little new drilling. Virtually no new refinement capacity has been created in over three decades.
Those are exactly the same arguments recycled, I heard when gas at the pump was around $4.50 a gallon during the Bush administration.
It's just that simple, but dummies like you would rather blame the "rich", the "greedy", and the "speculators" instead of facing reality and doing something about the real issues.
I do believe you just made that argument yur own self when you wrote: "There is growing political turmoil in the Middle East. This increases the probability that the oil supply will be disrupted or even shut off at some point." Speculation!
As for facing reality, I agree. Rather than subsidize a dirty, politically expensive source of energy, we should be conserving through efficiencies in use and developing new, green sources
The Republican budget goes after children and the poor. Courage would be going after defense and the rich. Bill Maher
"I love the 45 caliber M1911, I respect the 9MM M9 Beretta but I only carry a CZ for my own personal protection". Quote courtesy of Lt Col John Dean Cooper, recognized as the Father of Modern Handgunning (_*_)
Okay...what was I supposed to be seeing there - besides Rick Santelli reminding me that he was too stupid to be a Floor Trader and so he took the reporter gig?
You are saying there is a federal law that prevents citizens from getting copies of their OWN birth certificates?
If so,post it with a link to it.
"I adore John McCain, support him 100 percent and will do everything I can to support his reelection. As everyone knows, I was honored and proud to run with him. And Todd and I were with him in D.C. just a week ago." (Sarah Palin,Dec 2009) ************************************ DID Palin say or write these things or not? (Me) I don't know or F ing care. (Mad Dog posted on 2009-12-26 16:36:33 ET,post # 105 http://libertysflame.com/cgi-bin/readart.cgi?ArtNum=5510&Disp=114#C114)
"I adore John McCain, support him 100 percent and will do everything I can to support his reelection. As everyone knows, I was honored and proud to run with him. And Todd and I were with him in D.C. just a week ago." (Sarah Palin,Dec 2009) ************************************ DID Palin say or write these things or not? (Me) I don't know or F ing care. (Mad Dog posted on 2009-12-26 16:36:33 ET,post # 105 http://libertysflame.com/cgi-bin/readart.cgi?ArtNum=5510&Disp=114#C114)
Take it up with the Hawaiian Supreme Court. They're in Oahu...
So.....,you are telling us the Hawaiian Supreme Court is telling the federal government to go piss up a rope when they demand actual birth certificates for government employees,including military members and ANYBODY that has a security clearance?
"I adore John McCain, support him 100 percent and will do everything I can to support his reelection. As everyone knows, I was honored and proud to run with him. And Todd and I were with him in D.C. just a week ago." (Sarah Palin,Dec 2009) ************************************ DID Palin say or write these things or not? (Me) I don't know or F ing care. (Mad Dog posted on 2009-12-26 16:36:33 ET,post # 105 http://libertysflame.com/cgi-bin/readart.cgi?ArtNum=5510&Disp=114#C114)
Okay...what was I supposed to be seeing there - besides Rick Santelli reminding me that he was too stupid to be a Floor Trader and so he took the reporter gig?
It was supposed to be a report on oil speculators, looks like it got corrupted somehow.....
"I love the 45 caliber M1911, I respect the 9MM M9 Beretta but I only carry a CZ for my own personal protection". Quote courtesy of Lt Col John Dean Cooper, recognized as the Father of Modern Handgunning (_*_)
It was supposed to be a report on oil speculators, looks like it got corrupted somehow.....
There was a link to Santelli being, well, Santelli in there. Hilarious the moronics that comes out of his mouth. The guy was a Floor Trader at the CBOT and he doesn't understand how rolling a contract forward works.
So.....,you are telling us the Hawaiian Supreme Court is telling the federal government to go piss up a rope when they demand actual birth certificates for government employees,including military members and ANYBODY that has a security clearance?
The issue of comity of state records was settled in the fourth article of the USCON.
The Hawaiian Supreme Court just bitch slapped someone like you on this very issue. Instead of spouting this Berfer nonsense - which makes you folks look like you're dribbing oatmeal - why not try to get informed?
§92F-13 Government records; exceptions to general rule. This part shall not require disclosure of:
(1) Government records which, if disclosed, would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of personal privacy;
(2) Government records pertaining to the prosecution or defense of any judicial or quasi-judicial action to which the State or any county is or may be a party, to the extent that such records would not be discoverable;
(3) Government records that, by their nature, must be confidential in order for the government to avoid the frustration of a legitimate government function;
(4) Government records which, pursuant to state or federal law including an order of any state or federal court, are protected from disclosure; and
(5) Inchoate and draft working papers of legislative committees including budget worksheets and unfiled committee reports; work product; records or transcripts of an investigating committee of the legislature which are closed by rules adopted pursuant to section 21-4 and the personal files of members of the legislature. [L 1988, c 262, pt of §1; am L 1993, c 250, §1]