For Barack Obama: Eight Questions [Update]
By Matthew Weaver on August 15, 2008 at 9:52 AM in Barack Obama, Barry Soetoro, Current Affairs, Delegates, Democratic National Convention
By Matthew J. Weaver | The Problem With Obama
While most folks accept that Obama was born in the U.S. of an American mother, it is increasingly suggestive that he may have shared Kenyan citizenship from his father, then when his mother remarried, was adopted and became an Indonesian citizen. In the latter, a school record clearly lists his citizenship as Indonesian. This would seem consistent with his adoption and the family move to Indonesia.
Obama has not addressed this. His offered birth certificate is being questioned by a number of folks who claim it is a forgery. It is suggested that his original birth certificate was sealed and replaced by a new one upon his adoption and move to Indonesia. It is suggested that in addition to his new name, Barry Soetoro, his adopted father and his mother changed his citizenship to Indonesia. Surely there will be records of this somewhere but I’ve yet to see anything beyond the notes about the sealed original birth certificate, the new one, a copy allegedly issued in 2007, an original that Obama wrote he held, and comments about the adoption in 1965 or 1966. I have not seen anything definitive on any of this to show it is anything more than speculation.
A photograph of an Indonesian school record, taken in January 2007 purportedly shows Obama as Barry Soetoro, religion as Islam, and citizenship as Indonesian. I have personally emailed AP and the current host of this image (Daylife) seeking confirmation that this image is legit. I’ve even called the latter but it does not appear that anyone answers the phones and voicemail messages have so far not been returned. I’m very suspicious of this document, even though it shows that it’s been posted for 18 months, it’s discovery now and content is very timely and explosive. Consider too that Daylife management include previous members of Edwards and Kerry’s campaigns, plus the DNC. This document could be a fake to stir up and embarrass those opposing Obama. I have received confirmation from Matthew Lutts at AP at 3:44 p.m. ET that “Yes, the image is legit.”
There are numerous sites now linking to and discussing this document. An early source is so-called TexasDarlin in his/her blog of the same name. [SusanUnPC's Note: It was not the intention of Larry Johnson or me in any way to criticize TexasDarlin's dogged, extensive work on these issues. We know her, and have spoken to her on the telephone. Since I haven't been able to reach Matthew after posting this, I am including this note, and trust he does not object. I find his story to be very worthwhile. He sent it to us late last night, when Larry and I were both exhausted and had too many other matters we were dealing with. We apologize to TexasDarlin for any offense, but we also respect Matthew's considerable research abilities and his superlative writing skills.] As they are anonymous, I distrust what they write. As of this afternoon, though, they do link to an AP article by Nedra Pickler via The Washington Post regarding the school record. The focus there was disputing the labeled religion but not the citizenship. Religion was and for some is still the hot-button issue. The question of citizenship is far more important and has constitutional and electability implications that make this worthy of revisiting.
Two other sites offer more cautious review of the school record and its implications:
- Change & Experience. Which is also, like TexasDarlin, anonymous, but offers more careful and even balanced discussion of the school record.
- Andy Martin, author of “Obama: The Man Behind the Mask”, offers a cautious analysis of the document and its implications.
This does put the legitimacy of Obama’s candidacy and eligibility to be president in question. I think Obama needs to provide unequivocal answers to a number of questions:
- Are you now a U.S. citizen?
- Have you ever held as a youth or adult, citizenship in another country?
- Did you ever possess or travel using, at least in part, the passport of another country? (E.g., while in Indonesia, visiting Pakistan, Kenya)
- Did you renounce any foreign citizenship, and when, and do you now hold solely U.S. citizenship today?
- Can you confirm or deny your name change as a youth from Barack Hussein Obama II to Barry Soetoro when you were adopted by your step-father?
- Did you legally reclaim your birth name? When and how?
- Why did you not list your adopted name Barry Soetoro on any forms associated with your legal profession or others that ask for any other names you have ever used? Have you now or will you update these records?
- And by the way, did you register with the U.S. Selective Service when you turned 18?
I am sure these questions can be better worded, especially to extract clear yes/no answers, and I am also sure that there are other pertinent questions that might be asked at the same time. I do think that now, or later in the campaign, these questions will be asked again and again and that eventually Obama will be forced to answer. I’d prefer that now so that the Democratic party and delegates to the convention can make an informed choice when they vote for Obama or Clinton as the party nominee.
Matthew Weaver
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UPDATE:
I just want to add a clarification to my post. In referencing TexasDarlin and noting his/her anonymity, I meant no disrespect, nor did I dispute what they have written. (For the record, I have also written comments in the past at TexasDarlin site directly.) My point is simply that I personally question anonymous posts and blogs because they lack a name and face behind them. As we see too much of on the Internet today anybody can post just about anything without the slightest chance of being held accountable. I recognize that, as Susan writes here and as both Larry and her have written previously, they have had contact with TexasDarlin and are comfortable with trusting TexasDarlin is legit. Fine. I was not in anyway suggesting this was in error and, again, no disrepect intended.
– Matthew Weaver
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