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Birther traction in N.C.?

Survey says a sizeable number of North Carolinians believe the president was not born in the United States.

Survey also says more Republicans believe the birther bluster than Democrats; only 24 percent believe President Obama is a U.S. citizen.

Of course, the survey also finds that some respondents don't consider Hawaii part of the United States.

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Posted by Allen Johnson on Tuesday, August 11, 2009 at 1:30 pm

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Mialamasoul

August 11, 2009 - 2:39 pm EDT

It is incredible information. I wonder if there is a link online to the study you could provide us with? I would be curious to know if the folks who conducted the study collected any demographic information on the people answering the questions and if it is telling that a certain segment of the population gets its "factual information" only from programming that supports their particular opinion about Obama.

nemo0037

August 11, 2009 - 2:48 pm EDT

The fact that any more than 1 or 2 percent take this matter seriously is an embarrassment to the nation and its education system. Was no one below the age of 22 taught the meaning of Occam's Razor? (Google that, if you are one who doesn't know what that is). Seriously, we need some major therapy in this country.

Mialamasoul

August 11, 2009 - 2:56 pm EDT

Just curious nemo0037. I did Google Occam's Razor, but I'm not sure how you are wanting to apply it. Can you explain? And I am WAAAY over the age of 22, but this is my first hearing of your obscure refererence.

nemo0037

August 12, 2009 - 11:52 am EDT

Well, I must first apologize for stating that everyone ought to know what Occam's Razor is. IMO, it SHOULD be part of a high school education. It's not really a difficult concept to learn.

In the Birther business, Occam's Razor would be used to determine the likelihood of whether Obama's citizenship claim is true, or whether Birther claims of him being born in Kenya are true. The amount of unlikely events that would need to have happened in order for the State of Hawaii to have a false record of birth in their archives, along with false notices placed in the Honolulu newspapers rather makes the idea's rejection necessary.

marauder

August 11, 2009 - 3:02 pm EDT

Our 44th President, served in the Illinois state legislature, represented Illinois, in the United States Senate. And now, that he is the President of the United States, people are getting all, how would I put it...STUPID!

He is a citizen! Just because he's a black man, born in the STATE OF HAWAII, he does not qualify to be an elected official.

We have larger issues that are much more important to be concerned about, than the birthplace of our 44th President of the United States.

Let's move on!

Mialamasoul

August 11, 2009 - 3:32 pm EDT

Some stats and a link. Well Allen, once again, I tip my hat to your devil's advocacy!!!

http://www.publicpolicypolling.com/pdf/PPP_Release_NC_811424.pdf

Q12 If you are white, press one now. If you are
African-American, press two now. If other,
press 3.
White .............................................................. 77%
African-American ............................................ 20%
Other............................................................... 4%
Q13 If you are 18 to 29 years old, press 1 now. If
you are 30 to 45, press 2. If you are 46 to 65,
press 3. If older, press 4.
18 to 29........................................................... 16%
30 to 45........................................................... 26%
46 to 65........................................................... 37%
Older than 65.................................................. 21%

Q9 Would you describe the community you live in
as urban, suburban, rural, or a small town? If
urban, press 1. If suburban, press 2. If rural,
press 3. If a small town, press 4.
Urban.............................................................. 17%
Suburban ........................................................ 28%
Rural ............................................................... 29%
Small Town..................................................... 27%
Q11 If you are a Democrat, press 1. If you are a
Republican, press 2. If you are an independent
or identify with another party, press 3.
Democrat ........................................................ 44%
Republican...................................................... 37%
Independent/Other..........................................20%

Dawn in NC

August 11, 2009 - 5:36 pm EDT

How embarrassing. We live in the least educated area code in NC, clearly.
10% of people in area code 336 think that Hawaii is not part of the USA???
The highest percentage in the state BY FAR. (sigh.)

Mialamasoul

August 11, 2009 - 6:02 pm EDT

Dear Dawn in NC... DEEP huh? And Depressing. The funny piece is that the 336 area code has folks from every conceivable corner of the planet, and all our poor uneducated folks need to do is go not too far and be better neighbors with the "you're not from around here" people (I happen to be one, and when asked what 'country' I'm from I blithely answer... "oh, the coutry of the BRONX... have you heard of it?") Just talking to and reaching out to those "not like us" folks would be education enough.

Mialamasoul

August 11, 2009 - 6:10 pm EDT

By the way... go click on the "Survey says" link above and read the comments from Raleigh's N & O FUNNY!

Gymnaseum

August 12, 2009 - 9:59 am EDT

I speculate that along with those who say Hawaii isn't part of the USA, there are a good deal more who would agree with the ex-governor of that other "late" state, who declared there are some parts of the USA that are "real America" and others that apparently aren't. All this disguised racism (even from the people afflicted with it) makes me sick.

Gymnaseum

August 12, 2009 - 10:02 am EDT

And anyone who says he should wiggle around the law to get the original certificate released would never have dreamed of asking McCain for his, or Bush, or any other successful or unsuccessful candidate or elected President.

brian444

August 14, 2009 - 3:19 am EDT

Well, there's no denying that Americans are incredibly stupid, but of those who say they believe Obama isn't a citizen, only a tiny fraction actually believe this. Most are simply saying, "I don't like Obama." It's just like the strong majority of black American's who professed their belief in OJ's innocence: they didn't actually believe it; they were just proclaiming an allegiance.