We’ve previously noted how Newsmax took a few tentative stabs before the 2008 presidential election at repeating baseless claims about Barack Obama’s birth certificate — yet also credited Obama for knocking down those claims. Since then, Newsmax has largely stayed away from the issue (aside from the occasional wacky column).
Until now, that is. Newsmax appears to have decided it will follow WorldNetDaily’s lead and fully embrace the conspiracy.
A July 22 article by Jim Meyers purports to correct MSNBC’s Chris Matthews over his assertion that Obama has released a valid birth certificate:
But Matthews made a false claim. Obama has never released his actual birth certificate. He has released another document, often provided by state authorities in lieu of a birth certificate, called a certificate of live birth.
[…]The indisputable fact is that Obama has not released his birth certificate, which the state of Hawaii issues for all citizens born there.
Instead, his campaign has only released his certificate of live birth from the state of Hawaii, which is a document that offers a summarized version of the birth certificate.
Adhering closely to the conspiracy’s talking points, Meyers went on to insist that “Obama is the only president in history whose birthplace is unknown to the public” and that “Obama’s refusal to release his birth certificate does mean that Obama remains one of America’s most mysterious and opaque presidents ever.”
Meyers concluded: “Chris Matthews, get your facts straight and demand full disclosure – that’s the best way to keep an honest government.”
Full metal birther, baby!