Former Rep. J.D. Hayworth (R-AZ), who is challenging Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) in the Republican primary, appeared on The O’Reilly Factor on Friday, and disavowed ever having any belief in the Birther movement, after the McCain campaign attacked him for his prior Birther-friendly statements.
“Hey Bill, I view this entire debate as esoteric. It’s as esoteric as arguing about the eligibility of Chester Alan Arthur well over a century after he served as president,” said Hayworth, referring to the 19th-century president whose detractors would spread rumors that he was born in Canada. “Look, Barack Obama’s the 44th president of the United States. His election was certified. I believe he was born in Hawaii. I made certain statements on the air to — to provoke conversation. That’s what happens in broadcasting.”
The McCain campaign recently launched a Web video attacking Hayworth for previous Birther-friendly comments, likening him to such well known (and little-respected) Birther activists as Orly Taitz and Philip Berg.
The video quoted Hayworth from his radio show, in July 2009: “Sad fact is, questions continue. And until President Obama signs his name and in fact has the records revealed, the questions will remain.”
The video also used part of a Hayworth appearance on Hardball from a month ago, in which he called upon Obama to “come forward” with his birth certificate.
Hayworth’s current explanation, as he told O’Reilly, is that he was simply discussing a topic, and expressing a viewpoint that some people hold, without directly holding to it himself.
