A supposed birther spectator interrupted the House's reading of the Constitution Thursday, as a representative read the natural born citizenship clause mandating that only candidates born in the United States are eligible to serve in the Office of President.
"Except Obama, except Obama, help us Jesus!" the woman interjected over Rep. Frank Pallone's (D-N.J.) recitation of the Second Article clause.
Politico reports that the woman was arrested by the sergeant at arms after being scolded by Rep. Mike Simpson (R-Idaho), who was serving as Speaker pro tempore:
An officer removed her from the gallery as she yelled out "My name is Theresa."
"You're under arrest," the officer could be heard telling her as he led her through double doors at the back of the chamber.
Pallone later told Talking Points Memo that the exercise was set up as an alternating process, and that his reading of the statute was completely random.
"We were reading on a first come, first serve basis. We were waiting in line and they went Republican, Democrat, Republican, Democrat -- like that," Pallone told TPM. "It was just coincidence that I ended up reading that section about natural born citizens being eligible."
Pallone then criticized the birther movement for allegedly continuing their crusade against President Obama despite the presence of evidence that would seemingly dampen their objections.
"I mean it's a fact that he's a natural born citizen, so I think it's just inappropriate for people to keep raising it. The problem is the people that keep raising it want to go against the facts," Pallone told TPM. "I think that was an example of this phenomenon today. There's nothing he can do to make it go away because they just don't want to face the facts."
Slate's Dave Weigel reports on the agitator's alleged identity:
I'm told that the woman who made the disruption was Theresa Cao, a birther activist and supporter of court-martialed birther Lt. Col. Terry Lakin. On December 16, she told WorldNetDaily that she was "taking his message to the White House and Congress." She maintains a blog here.
WATCH (via Talking Points Memo):