Shock Poll: 'Birthers' Rule

A new poll is shocking the political powers in Washington with indication that only 3 in 10 members of the GOP believe that Barack Obama was born in the United States

With the issue still disputed in a number of court cases and under review by nearly a dozen states considering laws that presidential candidates document their constitutional eligibility, the poll by Public Policy Polling found that only 28 percent of the Republicans surveyed believe Obama was born in the U.S. while 51 percent do not.

Another 21 percent say they are not sure.

Questions about Obama's eligibility to be president have been exacerbated by his refusal to answer questions and release ordinary background documentation and his extraordinary legal maneuvers to keep his background hidden.

The Constitution requires a president to be a "natural-born citizen," which is not the same as a "citizen."

Fritz Wenzel of Wenzel Strategies has warned, "Simply put, this question about Obama's legitimacy as president is undermining everything he does in the minds of millions of Americans."

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