RNC Chairman Not a Birther, But OK with Those Who Are
RNC Chairman Reince Priebus came out today with one of those completely typical GOP responses to the Birther movement: RNC Chairman dismisses birther talk.
“Trump and the candidates can talk about it all they want, but my position is that the president was born in the United States,” Priebus told reporters at a breakfast hosted by the Christian Science Monitor.
“I don’t think it’s an issue that moves voters,” he said of the birth certificate chatter. “It’s an issue in my opinion that I don’t personally get too excited about, because I think the more important question is what’s going on in this country in regards to jobs, to debt, and the deficit and spending. Those are the things that people are worried about. People aren’t worried about these other issues.”
Notice that Priebus never actually denounced Birtherism. He’s doing the same thing Republicans always do with this issue: trying to have it both ways. He “believes” Obama was born in the US, but he’s fine with those who don’t believe it. (And he’d better be, because that’s the majority of the GOP base, despite Priebus’ laughable attempt to brush off the Birther movement as insignificant.)
This is definitely not a sign that the tide is turning against the Birther Bunch; it’s just more of the same weak pandering that’s been the GOP’s response to the Birthers since the craziness started.
If you’re waiting for a sign of real courage from the GOP leadership on this issue, don’t hold your breath.