August 20, 2009 09:34 PM UTC

Put Your Money Where Your Birth Certificate Is, GOP Candidates

•  
• by: Colorado Pols

According to the much-discussed Public Policy Polling automated “robopoll” released this week, only 33% of Colorado Republicans feel sure that President Barack Obama was born in the United States–fully 67% of Republicans, according to PPP, either believe Obama is not a natural-born citizen (thus not eligible to be President) or are “unsure.”

We’ve been clear about our opinion of this poll’s methodology and results, but we wouldn’t be as swift to dismiss this particular number–although the poll was tainted by an overall excess of Republican participants, it’s possible that results within a single self-identified party (as above) have a little more basis in reality, however shameful that might be.

But it invites a very good question, especially after CD-4 candidate Cory Gardner’s curious views on the subject at “town hall” yesterday: how many Republican candidates agree?

It sounds like a flip question, but we’re serious: 67% is a lock majority in any primary. If that many Colorado Republicans really either believe Barack Obama isn’t legally qualified to be President or are “unsure,” isn’t it a question any reporter would logically ask?

Actually, our suggestion would be to ask two questions:

1. Do you believe Barack Obama is legally eligible to be President?

2. Why do you think 67% of Colorado Republicans said they either do not believe Obama is eligible, or said they were “unsure” in a recent poll?

Now, of course there will be some folks out there who don’t think this is particularly fair. After all, we ourselves are on record saying–hoping, anyway–that it’s doubtful 67% of Colorado Republicans really subscribe to such a patently ridiculous idea. We’ll go along with that, as long as you agree to never refer to this poll as ‘credible’ again.