Inquirer Editorial: Mr. O'Bama

Call him President O'Bama.

Amazingly, many Americans continue to think Obama wasn't born in this country and is a Muslim. Perhaps they also believe in leprechauns.

The truth is Obama was born in Hawaii. He is a Christian, and he has Irish roots. His great-great-great-grandfather fled the potato famine in 1850. A recent study by Ancestry.com found 28 living relatives of Obama who also descended from Falmouth Kearney, who came to the United States at age 19.

Obama announced on St. Patrick's Day that he plans to go to Ireland in May and visit Kearney's hometown of Moneygall in County Offaly. During the annual St. Patrick's Day luncheon Thursday at the White House, Obama noted his Irish ties and the continuing controversy over his roots.

"I want to put all those rumors to rest," Obama said, adding that his great-great-great grandfather was from Moneygall. "I can't believe I have to keep pointing this out."

Neither can most levelheaded people. But a survey last year also found that nearly one in five Americans (18 percent) think Obama is a Muslim. A separate survey last month found 51 percent of likely Republican primary voters believe Obama wasn't born in the United States.

That, as the Irish say, is a bunch of blarney.