In an interview with NBC’s Brian Williams that aired yesterday, President Obama addressed the lingering rumors about his birth and religion, condemning what he calls a “network of misinformation” and taking a swipe at the birther movement.
“We went through some of this during the campaign,” Obama said in response to a question about the rising number of Americans who think he’s a Muslim. “There is a mechanism, a network of misinformation that in a new media era can get churned out their constantly.”
“I will always put my money on the American people and I’m not going to be worrying too much about whatever rumors are floating out there,” Obama said.
Even facing the beliefs of a number of Americans “as sizable as this?” Williams asked. “I can’t spend all my time with my birth certificate plastered on my forehead. The facts are the facts,” Obama responded.
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Eric Lach
Eric Lach is a reporter for TPM. From 2010 to 2011, he was a news writer in charge of the website’s front page. He has previously written for The Daily, NewYorker.com, GlobalPost and other publications. He can be reached at ericl(at)talkingpointsmemo.com
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