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Pence: ‘I accept’ Obama was born in US

by Jesse Byrnes - 09/07/16 2:23 PM ET

Donald Trump’s running mate, Mike Pence, on Wednesday said he accepts that President Obama was born in the U.S., something the GOP presidential nominee himself has shied away from discussing.

“I believe Barack Obama was born in Hawaii. I accept his birthplace,” the Indiana governor told reporters, according to multiple tweets.

{mosads}”I just don’t know where he’s coming from on foreign policy and on economics and on ObamaCare,” Pence added.

Pence declined to say whether Trump should apologize for questioning Obama’s birthplace, as Trump adviser Ben Carson has suggested he do.

Pence response, to reporters on campgn plane, when asked by @dangallo if Trump should apologize for birther claims: pic.twitter.com/LA6WOxZ8zi

— Vaughn Hillyard (@VaughnHillyard) September 7, 2016

Trump was reticent Tuesday night on Fox News when asked if his image among African-Americans was damaged because he repeatedly questioned whether Obama was born in the U.S.

Some considered his attacks to be racially charged and an attempt to delegitimize the nation’s first black president.

“I don’t know, I have no idea,” Trump said. “I guess with maybe some.”

“I don’t even talk about it anymore,” he said, adding, “I don’t think so.”

Trump’s questioning of Obama’s birthplace stoked a national debate on race and ultimately led to the White House releasing the president’s long-form certificate in 2011.

The latest questions this week came after Trump on Monday declined to say whether he believes Obama was born in the U.S. during a discussion with reporters aboard his plane.

“I don’t talk about it,” Trump said.

Tags Barack Obama Birther movement Donald Trump Mike Pence