Blunt Stands By "Legitimate" Questions About Obama Birth Documents, Says Journalists Lack "Capacity" to Report On The Issue

The News-Leader's Chad Livengood spoke with Roy Blunt about his statements made last week wondering why Barack Obama is hiding documents confirming his Hawaiian birth -- and Blunt is standing by his comments. In today's News-Leader:

Blunt, for his part, stands by his previous statements, a spokesman said. But he declined further comment at an energy policy event Tuesday in Strafford.

"What I actually think is that you guys don't have any capacity to talk about that in a legitimate way, so I'm going to stop talking about it," Blunt told a reporter.

Yes, it's reporters who lack the capacity to talk about Obama's citizenship, and not the man who -- in July/August 2009 -- still thinks the birthers are asking "legitimate" questions.

If only reporters could figure out if Hawaii has verified Obama's birth certificate.  Or reviewed his equally-valid certification of life birth.  Or spoken with the Hawaii Department of Health to confirm Obama's birth. Then Blunt sure would have a point.

Here are the key statements Blunt made last week, which he has refused to correct or clarify:

Blunt: What I don’t know is why the President can’t produce a birth certificate. I don’t know anybody else that can’t produce one. And I think that’s a legitimate question. No health records, no birth certificate…

Stark: He’s produced a certificate of live birth, right?

Blunt: Not that I — I don’t believe so.

Blunt's full interview -- which he apparently stands by 100% -- may be found here.

Also recall that last week it took more than 24 hours to get a straight answer from Blunt about whether or not he believe Obama was an American citizen.  His spokesman refused multiple opportunities to clarify that point with a Washington reporter.

Image credit: MatthewSherborne.com