‘King of Birthers’ Announces Presidential Run

Well, there’s something to be said for being the first one out of the gate? Andy Martin, the self-proclaimed “King of the Birthers,” announced his intention to run for president in 2012, becoming the first official Republican candidate. Speaking on New Hampshire’s WTPL radio, Martin said he will be “driving the agenda” in the Republican Party in the race. In a release about his run, Martin said his campaign is “designed to force Barack Obama to authorize the release of Obama’s original birth certificate and college records.” While Martin says he believes Obama was in fact born in Hawaii—many birthers believe Obama was born in Kenya—Martin says he wants to know why Hawaii is hiding Obama’s full birth certificate. Martin also says he believes Obama applied to Harvard as a Muslim, and received special “Saudi money” to attend the Ivy League University. Martin said he was inspired by Hawaii Gov.-elect Neil Abercrombie’s recent crusade to stop the birther movement.