Rep. Neil Abercrombie (D-HI) is set to give the House Republicans a chance to put up or shut up on the Birtherism that is circulating among their grassroots base, Greg Sargent reports: A House resolution recognizing Hawaii as President Obama’s birthplace.
Technically, the resolution’s main purpose will be to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Hawaii’s statehood. And while commemorating that grand history, the resolution will of course mention how the state is Obama’s birthplace.
This gives Republicans a choice: Vote yes on the resolution, which would repudiate the Birthers; vote no, to endorse them; or skip the vote, which would basically be the same as voting no.
Abercrombie spokesman Dave Helfert seemed to be humorously denying that this was an effort to put the GOP on the spot. “Far be it from us to try to stir things up,” said Helfert. “The president was born there, so what are you gonna do? Not mention it?”
