Tim Pawlenty: Birtherism Not An Issue We Should Be Raising (VIDEO)

During an appearance on MSNBC's "Morning Joe" on Tuesday morning, potential presidential candidate Tim Pawlenty said that politicians shouldn't "play into" the debunked conspiracy theory that President Barack Obama was born outside the United States.

"I, for one, do not believe we should be raising that issue," he said, breaking with possible 2012 rival Donald Trump, who made headlines on Monday for raising doubt over the eligibility issue. "I think President Obama was born in the United States."

But just last month, Pawlenty cracked a joke on the birther matter at a national Tea Party summit in Arizona.

"Now, I'm not one who questions the existence of the president's birth certificate," he said at the event, the New York Times reported at the time. "But when you listen to his policies, don't you at least wonder what planet he's from?"

Several weeks earlier, Pawlenty drew laughs from a crowd at this year's Conservative Political Action Conference in making the very same remarks.

As for Trump, Pawlenty said he believes he's "talented," "funny" and "interesting" on Tuesday morning. He added that the billionaire "might" emerge a serious contender in the race for the presidency; however, he was clear about rejecting his remarks on the president's birthplace.

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Comments

[YOKEL13]

11:39 AM on 03/31/2011

The only significant thing about the birther drivel is that it doesn't even matter at this point. Barack O'bama is going to be president for the next six years or so, even if he was born in Ireland.

[BraineyRubble]

11:05 AM on 03/31/2011

America® needs to see absolute proof that Trump is not a pedophile. I'm just not convinced that he isn't. Until I see any definite proof to the contrary, I'll hold firm in my belief that he is lusting after our children.

[truly moderate]

10:57 AM on 03/31/2011

"O’Reilly pointed out that, for him, the “birther issue” is not a huge deal because two separate Honolulu newspapers announced Obama’s birth and it’s far-fetched to think that there is an elaborate conspiracy in place to hide Obama’s real birthplace by planting fake birth announcements (“What is he, Baby Jesus?” is how O’Reilly quite succinctly put it.)
Trump countered by saying that, as someone intimately familiar with the workings of Wall Street, he knows it’s possible to doctor documents like newspaper announcements and that, in any case, the announcements came three days after the President’s supposed birth date." -Excerpt from Mediaite.

The stupid TPers are going to rise up this birther issue again, although it appears to be receiving more outspoken criticism from the "Independent Right". O'Reilly obviously feels the ideal is sensational and radical, propaganda that has no place in real politics. His comments seem to indicate that he thinks atleast some TPers are fringe and delusional.

This is sure to setoff some division at Fox since some reporters there are stuanch tea party conservatives, while others are more from the Independent side. Ultimately, Mr. Orielly's comment will have impact on right leaning Independents and possibly cause other Indies to distance themselves from the Tea Party as well as this cast of unsound GOP electorates.

[camelias and sweet tea]

10:36 AM on 03/31/2011

If we were asked to vote on the most in sane attention getting schemes, yes, Donald Trump would win, he always does. As for President..ha ha ha hah

[zenbamboo]

10:33 AM on 03/31/2011

TPAW needs to worry about all the sharp elbows on his right flank.

[ydnas639]

10:31 AM on 03/31/2011

Correct the headline, please. Try T'Paw speaks up about birthers, not that he 'weighs in' on Trump's remarks. To weigh in it is necessary to have heft. T'Paw is an ultra-lightweight. No heft at all.

[Saxton]

09:30 AM on 03/31/2011

I'm sure Trump's run is nothing but a marketing ploy where I wouldn't be surprised if he hasn't conjured up a deal to make his bid for president into a reality tv show.

[Kevin Himmel]

03:11 AM on 03/31/2011

What is the difference between Palin, Bachman, Rand, Pawlenty, Trump and Newt...NOTHING...they all have oversized egos and neither of them will be elected president of this country. NONE OF THEM! Trump's comments recently made him look desperate and in need of major attention .... he now looks rather goofy and ignorant. How could anyone consider him to be serious about the presidency. He's better off with the Apprentice folk like NeNe and Starr.

[BUSTERtheCAT]

07:27 AM on 03/31/2011

well trump and newt got 142 wives.......palin and Rand use same squirrel hat

[mmkay]

07:35 AM on 03/31/2011

Left out Reek Sanitorium, Huckleberry, Cain.

[gurukalehuru]

01:48 AM on 03/31/2011

Yes, but did he say it in a funny southern accent?

[btbthomson]

12:54 AM on 03/31/2011

Saying the birther issue is "not an issue we should be raising" is not denouncing it. Saying it's a non-issue is denouncing it. Pawlenty is garbage - more Trump than honest - like the rest of his brethren.

[BUSTERtheCAT]

07:28 AM on 03/31/2011

yep ol little timmy thinks he is so slick

[iridium53]

12:03 AM on 03/31/2011

What does this mean when a TeaBagger Repugnantnut like Pawlenty says this?
That he can't find his birth certificate?

[Almondo]

11:29 PM on 03/30/2011

"My holesaw is bigger than yours"

[henrypapillon]

11:14 PM on 03/30/2011

TPaw---you are not that, excuse me, NOT THAT CHARISMATIC, that you can do that , say something and get away with backtracking. That is twice in a week.

[Artanis71]

10:03 PM on 03/30/2011

Ok are the GOP a group of brilliant strategists with some super surprise coming or are they really offering this pathetic group as presidential contenders?

[Mike D]

12:17 AM on 03/31/2011

it's the latter part

[1differentdrummer]

06:58 AM on 03/31/2011

I'll go with the surprise idea.

[BUSTERtheCAT]

07:28 AM on 03/31/2011

they got ronny dug up, nailed to a spinning piece of plywood ready to go

[bk1]

08:48 PM on 03/30/2011

Can't wait to see Timmy tap dance around this one..............be careful Mr. Pawlenty. According to Public Policy polling, 51% of self proclaimed "Republican" voters think President Obama was not born in the United States. Say what you want about "The Donald" but he at least knows numbers---He knows 51 is bigger than 49!!!!!
Check it out right here, Tim...........http://washingtonindependent.com/105581/poll-51-percent-of-republicans-think-obama-was-not-born-in-u-s

Care to "restate" your position, with a slightly higher degree of ambiguity???
Try the old Boehner and Cantor spin.........."I believe the President and will take him at his word". Just make sure that you follow that up with something where you talk about how the President is "not being honest with the American citizen when he says (here is where you fill in the blank with any accusation, regardless of the truth). It seems to work well for them..........................