John Boehner's 'birther' cynicism?
The House Speaker says President Obama really is a U.S. citizen, but that he won't stop fellow Republicans from denying the truth
House Speaker John Boehner became embroiled in the "birther" controversy on Sunday, saying on NBC's "Meet the Press" that, while he believes President Obama is a citizen, it's not his job to correct those who claim otherwise. Is Boehner's stance a cynical attempt to win over those to his right, or is he merely standing up for the principle of free speech? (Watch Boehner's comments below)
Boehner is hedging to keep the birther fantasy alive: Boehner knows exactly what he's doing by refusing to repudiate the "wild conspiracy theories," says George Zornick in Think Progress. By "hedging," and saying that he takes Obama at his word — instead of blowing the birther claims out of the water — Boehner is giving currency to those who want to "de-legitimize" Obama. It's silly to claim it's not his "job" to tell Americans what to think — politicians, Boehner included, do that every day.
"Boehner, like Cantor, refuses to repudiate birther conspiracy theories"
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Don't blame Boehner: The "silly" birther business isn't John Boehner's fault, says Rob Port in Say Anything Blog. If anything, "Meet the Press" host David Gregory should "go to the source," and grill President Obama about why he doesn't end the controversy once and for all by releasing his full birth certificate. Then Gregory could stop wasting Boehner's time, and ask him about something that matters, such as the "epic battle" looming about the deficit.
"David Gregory questions John Boehner — about Obama being a Muslim?"
Where's the leadership? A real leader has to stand up to the "liars" and "lunatics" on his party's "fringe," says William Saletan in Slate. Sen. John McCain did it during his 2008 presidential campaign, "in his clumsy way," and even Fox News' Glenn Beck and Bill O'Reilly have called the birther conspiracy theories "absurd." By refusing to "call a lie a lie," Boehner and other top Republicans are allowing the smear campaign to continue, instead of doing their real job, which is to lead.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
The debate about Biden's age and mental fitness
In Depth Some critics argue Biden is too old to run again. Does the argument have merit?
By Grayson Quay Published
-
How would a second Trump presidency affect Britain?
Today's Big Question Re-election of Republican frontrunner could threaten UK security, warns former head of secret service
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
'Rwanda plan is less a deterrent and more a bluff'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By The Week UK Published
-
Henry Kissinger dies aged 100: a complicated legacy?
Talking Point Top US diplomat and Nobel Peace Prize winner remembered as both foreign policy genius and war criminal
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Last updated
-
Trump’s rhetoric: a shift to 'straight-up Nazi talk'
Why everyone's talking about Would-be president's sinister language is backed by an incendiary policy agenda, say commentators
By The Week UK Published
-
More covfefe: is the world ready for a second Donald Trump presidency?
Today's Big Question Republican's re-election would be a 'nightmare' scenario for Europe, Ukraine and the West
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Xi-Biden meeting: what's in it for both leaders?
Today's Big Question Two superpowers seek to stabilise relations amid global turmoil but core issues of security, trade and Taiwan remain
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Will North Korea take advantage of Israel-Hamas conflict?
Today's Big Question Pyongyang's ties with Russia are 'growing and dangerous' amid reports it sent weapons to Gaza
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published