Rush Limbaugh: Romney ‘Test Driving’ Birth Certificate Line

Rush Limbaugh highlighted Mitt Romney's birth certificate joke on his program Friday, saying he thought it might be a preview of future speeches.

"I think this line is a test drive," Limbaugh said. He went on to mock journalists for expressing shock over the quote.

Here's audio, via Media Matters.

<...>

http://livewire.talkingpointsmemo.com/entry/rush-limbaugh-romney-test-driving-birth-certificate-line

RNC On Romney’s Birth Certificate Joke: ‘He Was Stating A Fact’

After Mitt Romney's birth certificate joke at a Michigan campaign rally Friday led to outrage from the Obama campaign, a top RNC official told MSNBC he doesn't see what the big deal is.

"Look, it's -- I mean, it's a light-hearted moment," Sean Spicer, RNC communications director, said. "He was stating a fact. He's proud of the fact he was born in michigan, that Mrs. Romney was born in the area."

Spicer accused the Obama campaign of hypocrisy.

"I found it somewhat laughable that these guys who have taken gutter politics to a new low, if you can do that, are suddenly feigning outrage about this kind of comment," Spicer said.

Romney "made a light-hearted moment, nothing more than that," Spicer said.

http://livewire.talkingpointsmemo.com/entry/rnc-on-romneys-birth-certificate-joke-he-was

Donald Trump Posted Birther Tweet Same Hour As Romney Speech

As he often does, Donald Trump tweeted about his ongoing conspiracy theories regarding President Obama's birth certificate on Friday. In an awkward case of bad timing, however, it came right as Mitt Romney joked about the issue, prompting criticism from the Obama camapign over Romneys' refusal to condemn birther supporters.

Donald J. Trump✔
@realDonaldTrump

Former Navy SEAL Questions @BarackObama's birthplace huff.to/NNrCl5

24 Aug 12 Reply Retweet Favorite

Romney accepted Trump's endorsement earlier this year and has publicly praised his role as a campaign surrogate. While Romney has always stated he believes the president was born in the United States, he has been reluctant to criticize supporters for promoting debunked conspiracy theories claiming otherwise.

"You know, I don't agree with all the people who support me and my guess is they don't all agree with everything I believe in," Romney told reporters in May when asked about Trump's birther tendencies. "But I need to get to 50.1 percent or more and I'm appreciative to have the help of a lot of good people."
http://livewire.talkingpointsmemo.com/entry/donald-trump-posted-birther-tweet-same-hour-as