Bachmann Gets Cornered On Birtherism: ‘Move On, End Of Story’ (VIDEO)

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In an interview with George Stephanopoulos on Good Morning America, Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-MN) tried to hedge on the matter of birtherism — using the line used by some Republicans who fall short of fully endorsing the conspiracy theory, while saying that Obama should just release his birth certificate (which he already did three years ago). To which George Stephanopoulos answered: Obama has released his birth certificate — and here it is.

During the interview, Stephanopoulos asked Bachmann about how a prominent supporter of hers in Iowa has introduced a “birther bill” in the state legislature, which would require presidential candidates to supply their birth certificates to the state.

“Well, Governor Jan Brewer just vetoed that bill in Arizona,” said Bachman, “because she felt that that was a bridge too far — that it wouldn’t be up to the authenticators in each state to do that, that that would be a federal issue. There is a federal piece of legislation that hasn’t gone anywhere that would also require that candidates put forward their birth certificate. I have no problem giving my birth certificate, it wouldn’t bother me at all. I’ve got one, its authenticated, take it.”

“Well, but so does the president,” Stephanopoulos replied.

“According to the bill a candidate for president or vice president shall attach to and file with the affidavit a copy of the candidate’s birth certificate certified by the appropriate official in the candidate’s state of birth.’

“That’s right,” said Bachmann.

“Well I have the president’s certificate right here,” Stephanopoulos replied. “It’s certified, it’s got a certification number, it’s got the registrar of the state, signed. It’s got a seal on it. And it says: ‘This copy serves as prima facie evidence of the fact of birth in any court proceeding.'”

“Well, then that should settle it,” said Bachmann. She added: “That’s what should settle it. I take the president at his word and I think — again I would have no problem and apparently the president wouldn’t, either. Introduce that, we’re done. Move on, end of story.”

In truth, Bachmann’s heart never seems to have really been in the birtherism fight. On the one hand, she has never disowned it — and as Stephanopoulos alluded, she has had no problem associating with a top birther in Iowa, state Sen. Kent Sorenson — and she has slyly answered questions by saying she would put her own birth certificate out there. On the other hand, she has also never co-sponsored birther legislation at the federal level, which as she said “hasn’t gone anywhere.”

Thus, it remains to be seen whether this interview will fully throw her off of that whole trail, as she seeks to lock up her Tea Party movement base.

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