Former Rep. J.D. Hayworth (R-AZ), who is challenging Sen. John McCain in the Republican primary, has taken a position on the so-called “Birther Bill” making its way through the Arizona state legislature, which would require presidential candidates to submit proof of their natural-born citizenship and other eligibility for the presidency in order to appear on the state’s ballot: Hayworth doesn’t think it goes far enough.
“He believes that that legislation is drawn too narrowly,” said Hayworth communications director Mark Sanders, when TPMDC asked for Hayworth’s position. “And his thinking on it is that we require every voter when they go to the polls to prove who they are and prove that they are eligible to vote, so we should require that not only of presidential candidates but also every candidate on the ballot.”
So does Hayworth think we should demand birth documentation for every candidate for public office, I asked?
“No, that’s not what I’m saying,” said Sanders. “I’m not addressing birth documentation. I’m addressing eligibility to vote, and that could apply to a lot of different things.”
So what is Hayworth demanding proof of, exactly?
“I’m saying in terms of proof of everything,” said Sanders. “You can’t be a convicted felon and vote. There are requirements that you have to meet in order to vote, and those same requirements should be met by every candidate for every office.”
Hayworth has previously declared that President Obama “should come forward” with his birth certificate. However, he later distanced himself from birtherism: “I believe he was born in Hawaii. I made certain statements on the air to — to provoke conversation. That’s what happens in broadcasting.”
