My Congressman is a Birther?!

I live in New Jersey, a state which, despite the recent election of a Republican governor, is generally thought to be fairly liberal (8/13 Members of Congress and both Senators are Dems). Unfortunately, I happen to live in one of the "red" districts, represented by one Scott Garrett. Although I knew that he is one of the most conservative members ever to represent the state in Congress (he's received a perfect score from the American Conservative Union, while other NJ Republicans scored much lower), I didn't expect this when he was asked by a constituent whether he thought President Obama was born in the United States:

“Obviously, there is no political solution to it,” says Garrett. “Even if the entire Republican Party was united on the issue–”

He’s cut off by another constituent. “Have him show his birth certificate! It’s as simple as that! None of this ‘talk about it, talk about it’ — just let’s see the birth certificate!”

“I agree,” says Garrett — who’s not one of the 12 sponsors of the “birther bill.”

Sigh. Perhaps one of his aides should inform this jackass that this ridiculous nonsense had been discredited a long time ago.