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MS - 2012-03-06 - Taitz V MS Dem Party and SOS - Motion To Dismiss and For Sanctions
MS - 2012-03-06 - Taitz V MS Dem Party and SOS - Motion To Dismiss and For Sanctions
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BEGLEY LA W FIRM, PLLC
Samuel L Begley
sbegley 1@,bellsouth.net
The Honorable Barbara Dunn
Hinds County Circuit Clerk
P.O. Box 327
Jackson. MS 39205
60 (office)
Past Office Box 287
Jackwn, Mississippi 39205
March 6, 2012
Via U.S. Mail
Telephone
(601)969-5:;45
Facsimile
(601)969-5547
RE: Dr. Or(v Taitz, E,,q. v. DemocraT (sic) of Mississippi . .s'eaeiary
Mis.<;L<,;sippi, Civil 251-1 107 CIV
Delir Dunn:
1 am enclosing len filing and docketing with your offic;;; one original and ow;; the
Defendant Democratic Party of]l.,tlississippi's Motion to Dismiss Plaint.iffs Petition fix
Declaratory and Injunctive Relief and for Sanctions in the above capti"ll1ed math::f. Piea.SG:;tamp
"'filed" on the copy and fCtUri:l i: ;:he self- addressed stamped envelop:'
cc: The Honorable R. Kenneth Coleman
Orly Taitz, Esq,
Harold Pizzetta, Esq.
:natter,
Sincerely,
BEGLEY LAW FIRM, PLLC
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IN THE FIRST JUDICIAL DISTRICT OF
MISSISSIPPI
~ u
MAR 7 2012
DR. ORL Y T AITZ, ESQ BARBARA DO"", C\RCUIT P ~ ~ F F ______ -
lW. D ~ 0
VS. CIVIL ACTION NO. 251-12-107 CJV
DEMOCRAT PARTY OF MISSISSIPPI,
SECRETARY OF STATE OF MISSISSIPPI
DEFENDANTS
MOTION TO DISMISS PLAINTIFF'S PETITION FOR OECLAR.\ TORY AND
INJUNCTIVE REL[KFAND FOR SANCTIONS
COMES NOW the Mississippi Democratic Party Executive Conmiittee answering for the
Defendant, Democrat (sic) Party of Mississippi, and hereby moves to dismiss the PlaimifT's.
Petition for Declaratory and Injunctive Relief and, further, to seek sanctions as foI!iJws:
The Plaintiff seeks to have this Honorable Court declare that BaracK Hussein Obama is "nol
constitutionally eligible for the position of U PresidcnL" PlaintifT's aliegation is that Fresident
Obama is nor a "natura! bom citizen" oftheUmted States, as required Article II, Section i oriht:
United States C:onstllmion. The PUlmllil furlner seeks "mjunctive rdief
(sic) Party of Mississippi and the Secretary of State of Mississippi frotH ccrtl1ywg Obaril<l as a
candidate on the ballot." Additionally, the Plaintiff seeks "injunctive relief from counting any
and all votes for candidate Obama in the Primary or General Presidential Election." As will be
discussed below, the Plaintiff's allegations are absolutely ridiculous. The President was born in
the State of Hawaii and thus is a natural born citizen of the United States.
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Argument: The Plaintiff Lacks Standing
2. This action should be dismissed because the Plaintiff is a resident of the State of California and,
likewise, is not a qualified elector of the State of Mississippi, and therefore lacks standing to bring
this action in the Circuit Court ofl-Iinds County. See Hall v. City o/Ridgeland, 37 So.3d 25, 33,
'24, fn. 6 (Miss. 2010) (Standing to sue exists if a party asserts "a colorable interest in the subject
matter of the litigation or experiences an adverse effect from the conduct of the defendant as
otherwise authorized by law."); Roe v. Town a/New Fairfield, 2012 WL 447561 (January 17,
2012) (Conn Super.) ("To have standing as an elector, the plaintiffsright to vote must be
AllianceJ\1arqna 1'. Groseclose, 955 P.2d 43,45 (Ariz. 1998) (Non-resident lacks
standing tattle Writ of Mandamus regarding local referendum); United Slates v. Hays. 515U.8.
737" 745. 11 5 S.Ct 2431 (1995) (As a matter of standing, Plaintiffs stating race-based equaJ
protection chaHeflges to redistricting must be voters whe, actually reside in the districts they are
chailenging).
3. Moreover, the Plaintiff is no different than any other citizen or voter of the United States and thus
has sutTered no discrete injury required to satisfy stand mg. See Hollander v; McCain, 566
F.Supp.2d 63, 68 (D.i'J 20q8) (Voterlacked standing to challenge constitutional qualifications
- ,
of presidential EOluincc iii that. cognizab!c \f..'as liot voting
for someone else); Drake v. Obama, 664 F.3d 774, 780-781 (9th Cir. Dec. 22, 2011) (Former and
active military personnel did not have standing to argue that President Obama is constitutionally
ineligible to be President oftbe United States as they did not show concrete injury); Berg v.
Obama, 574 F.Supp.2d 509 CE1.D. Penn. 2008), aff'd, 586 F.3d 234,239 (Plaintiff voter's stake no
greater than any other voter an,d thus suffered no injury in fact.)
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Argument: Barack Hussein Obama is a Natural Born Citizen of the United States
4. Persons born within the borders of the United States are "natural born Citizens" for Article II,
Section I purposes regardless of the citizenship of their parents. Ankeny v. Governor of Indiana
916 N.E.2d 678, 688 (Ind. App. 2009). Various lawsuits have been filed against the President,
ever since Mr. Obama sought the Presidency four years ago (see cases at:
http://en.wikipedia.orgiwikiIBarack_Obama yresidential_ eligibility _litigation). I On April 27,
1. See, Federal cases: Tisdale v. Obama, No.3: 12-cv-00036-JAG (E.D. Va. Jan. 23, 2012); Allen v. Soetoro,
2011 WL 2130589; (D. Ariz. May, 2010); American Grand Jury, 3:09mc00215; American Grand
Jury, Keyes et al v. Obama et al, 8:09-cv-00f)82, 2009 WL 3861788, (C.D. Cal. Oct. 29, 2009);
Berg v. Obama et aI, 574 F.Supp.2d 509 (E.D.Pa. 2008); Berg v. Obama,656 F.Supp.2d. 107(D.D.C. Cir. 2009);
Beverly V. Federal Elections Commission; I:08cv01933; Bowhallv.Obama, 2: I Qcv00609, 2iHOWL 4932747,
(M.D. Ala.November 30, 201 O);The Church of Jesus Christ Christian! Aryan Nations of Missouri etal v. Obama et ai,
6:08cv03405, 2011 WL4916569 (W.D. MO.OcL 17, 2(11);c:ohen v. Obam(l. I:Q8cv02150,20(jg WL 5191864
(D.C. Dec. tl, 20(8);Connerar v. Obama, v. Good et at 4:2009cv00082, 2009 WL 2163535,
(M.D. Ga. July 16,2008); Cook v. Simtech, et a!, 8:2009cvOlJ82; Craig v. US, 5:09-cv-00343; Dawson v. Obama,
2:08cv02754, 2009 WL 532617 (E,D.Cal. March 2, Ealey v. Sarah Obama, 4:08-mc-00504; Easterlillg v.
Obama.not docketed; Essek v. Obama, 08-379-GFVT; Hamblin v. Obama, 2:09cv00410, 2513986 (D.
Ariz. Aug. 14,20(9); Hamrick v. Filkino, I :08-cv-00544, 2009 WL J 404535 (Haw. May 20,20(9); Herbert v. Obama
&US, Herbert\'. US, john Roberts et aI, 3:08-cv-00634-TJC-MCR;Herberl v.US,
Ohamil. John Roberts 3:08cvOI20J, 2009 WL 1295&5, (S.nCal. Jan. i5. 20(9): Hollander v. McCain, 566 F.
Supp.2d 63 (D.N.H. 2008): HollistQr v. Soetoro, 601F. Supp<2d i 79 (D.D.C. Cir. 2009); Hunter v. U.S. Supreme
Court, el aJ, 2:08cv00232, 2009 Wl I] 1683, (N.DTex. Jan. 16, 2(09); Jones v. Obama, 2: 1 O-cv-O 1075; Judy v.
McCain, 2:08cvOI162; Kerchneretal, v. Obama etal, F.3d 204 CD.N.J. 2010); Liberty Legal Foundation v. DNC,
CH-ll-1757; Mackay v. Obama, 2:1 l-cv-05458-1P: McLanahanv. Obama; 2: Morrow v.Barak
Humane Obama .. 1 :08-cv-22345: N!::ely v. I . Patriot's Heart Networkv. Soetoro,
l:09-mc-00442-RCL; Iii Re Paul AfidrewMitcheH, 2008 WL 5381436 (3rd Cir. Dec. 2008);
Purpura v. Sebelius,3: lO-cv-04814, 2011 WL 1547768, (NJ, Apr. 2 L 201 I); Rhodes v. Gates, 5:09-cv-00703-XR;
v MacD()nald, 670 F. Supp.2d 1363 (M.D. Ga. 2009); Robinson v.Bowen,567 F,Supp.2d 1144 (N.D.CaL
2008): Roy Election, 2:08cv01519, 2008 WL4921263, (w.n. Wa. Nov. 14, 2008); Stamper v. US, 2008 WI.
4S38073:Stmnk \I, NY State Board. of Elections, I:OScv04289; Strunk v U.S. Dept. of State, 693 F.Supp.2d 112
(D.C, Cire 2010); Super American Grand Jury, Tairz v.Obama, 707 f.Supp.2d i (D:D.C. Cir.
2010); Taitz v. Astrue, I 2011 WL 3805741, (D.C. Aug. 30, 201l); Taitz v. Astrue, I: 1l-mc-OOI58;
Taitz v. Ruemmier, 1: ll-cv-O 1421; Thoma'> v. Hosemann, I :OSmc00280; Thomas v. Hosemann,
2:08-cv-00241-KS-MTP. State cases: Ankeny v. Daniels, 916 N.E.2d 67S (Ind. Ct. App. 2009); Brockhausen v.
Andrade, No. 08-1001-C365; Broe v. Reed, 82473-8; Connerat v. Browning, 999 So. 2d 644 (Fla. Dist. Ct. App.
2008); Connerat v. Obama, No. 090031 03SC; Connerat v. Obama, No. 09005522SC; Constitution Party v. Lingle,
No. 29743, 2008 WL 5125984 (Haw. Dec. 5, 200S); Corbett v. Bowen, No. 2009cvO 1382; Craig v. Oklahoma,
MA-10980S; Donofrio v. Wells, No. AN-I053-0ST2 (NJ. Nov. 03, 2008); Fitzpatrick v. Obama, no docket number;
Greenberg v. Brunner, No. 200Scvl024; In re John McCain's Ineligibility to be on Presidential Primary Ballot in Pa,
944 A.2d 75 (pa. 2008); Justice v. Fuddy, 253 P.3d 665 (Haw. 2011); Keyes v. Bowen, 189 Cal. App. 4th. 647 (CaL
Ct. App. 2010); US v. LTC Terrenc L. Lakin, MCAT-JA-SC; Liberty Legal Foundation v. DNC, CH-II-1757;
Lightfoot v. Bowen, No. 168690; Marquis v. Reed, No. 08-2-34955-1; Martin v. Lingle, No. 29414, 2008 WL
4684786, (Haw. Oct. 22, 2008); Martin v. Lingle, No. ICC08-1-002147, 2009 WL 2372096, (Haw. Aug. 3, 2009);
Martin v. Bennett, No. J CC 1 0-1-000969; Meroni et al v. McHenry County Grand Jury Foreman et aI, No. 09mr399;
3
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2011 the White House released a copy of the President's long fonn birth certificate (see:
http://www. whitehouse.gov/blogl20 11104/27 Ipresident-obamas-long-fonn-birth-certificate)
establishing his birth in the State of Hawaii. Accordingly, President Obama, as evidenced by his
Hawaii birth certificate, is a natural born citizen: of the United States and thus qualified to be
President.
Argument: Neither the Mississippi Secretary of State Nor the Democratic Party Have Any
Statutory Duty to Determine Candidate Qualifications
5. Under Miss. Code Ann. 23-15-1089, complete responsibility for placing presidential candidates
On the ballot for presidential preference primaries is vested in the Secretary of State. The
Secretary of State is required by law to place each "generaUyrecognized" candidate on the
presidential primary baliot. Section 23-15-1089 does not authorize the Secretary of State to
review whether a generally recognized candidate meets the federal law specifications to be
president. Section 23-15-1089 provides no authority for the Secretary of State to refuse to place
on the ballot a generally recognized presidential candidate .
. 6. In Keyes v. Bowen, 189CaLAppA
th
647,1 CaLRptr.3d 207 (Cal. App. 3 Dist. 20iD) the court
considered a statute nearly identical to Seclion 1 )809 andaffinncd the dismissal a
mandamus action against the CaUfomia Stale seeking to f/;move Barack Obamafrom
the primary banot 'rne California statute. require.:.l a candidate's name to be placed on the
presidential primary ballot if it was detennined that the candidate is "generally advocated for or
recognized throughout the United States or California as actively seeking the nomination of the
Neal v. Brunner, No. 2008cv12126; Patriot's Heart Media Network v. Illinois Board of Elections, No. lOH000605;
Schneller v. Cortes, 199 MM 2008; Sorsensen v. Riley, cv-2008-1906; Spuck v. Sec. of State, 2008 cv1116; Stampo
v. Granholm, 09-140-MM; Stunk v. Patterson, 02964112008; Strunk v. Patterson, 02964212008; Strunk v. NY State
Board of Elections, 006500/2011; Sullivan v. Sec. of State, 08cv1076; Sullivan v. Marshall, 08cvs-021393; Taitz v.
Fuddy, Iccll-l-001731; Terry v. Handel, 08cvI58774S; Wrotnowski v. Bysiewicz, SC 18264.
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Democratic Party for President of the United States ... " Id at 658. The Court found that the
California statute did not impose any duty on the Secretary of State to determine whether a
presidential candidate meets the eligibility criteria of a citizen under the United States
Constitution. Accordingly, using the reasoning in Keyes v. Bowen, the instant lawsuit brought by
the Plaintiff against the Mississippi Secretary of State must be dismissed because the Secretary of
State had no duty to determine whether a candidate is qualified to be president before placing him
on the party primary ballot.
Argument: State Courts Have No Jurisdiction Over the Quaiificationsof Candidates for
President of the United States
7. State courts do not have jurisdiction overthc. subject ofacandidate's eligibility under the U.S.
Constitution for the office of Pres idem of the United States. As the Kfyesv. Bowen decision
noted, "'the presidential nominating process is not subject to each of the fifty States' election
officials independently deciding whether a presidential nominee isquaJified, as this could lead te.
chaotic results." 189 CaLAppAth at 660. Rather, federal law sets forth exclusive procedure by
which objections to the qualifications of apresid{:ntial may be registered and resolved,
"Mechanisms eXist under the Twelfth Amendment and 3 U .S.C. 15for any challenge to any
candidate loventilated\vhene1ectora! afe cmd the Twcntieth Arnendment
provides guidance regarding how to proceed if a president elect shall have failed to qualify.
Issues regarding qualifications for president are quintessentially suited to the foregoing process."
189 Cal.AppAth at 661. Therefore, any challenge to President Obama's eligibility to run as a
candidates is committed under the United States Constitution to the electors and the legislative
branch, at least in the first instance----not to the Mississippi Secretary of State, the Mississippi
Democratic Party, or this Court. See, Robinson v. Bowen, 567 F.Supp.2d 1144, 1147 (N.D. Cal.
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2008).
Argument: The Petition is Time Barred Under Miss. Code Ann. 23-15-961
8. The Plaintiff is required to file a petition for judicial review challenging the candidate's
qualifications no later than fifteen days after the date the contest petition was originally filed with
the appropriate party executive committee. According to the Plaintiff's lawsuit, she filed her
petition on January 8, 2012 with the Democratic Executive Committee. Section 23-15-961 states
that the challenge must be filed with the executive committee within ten days after the qualifying
deadline. The qualifying deadline for presidential preference primaries was January 14,2012.
The Democratic Committee must rule onthe challenge withinten days of receiving t h ~ petition.
Assuming that the Plaintiff fikd her petition on January 8, 201 the petition would need to
ruled on by the Committee by January 18,2012. If it isnot ruled on by the Executive Committee,
which is the case here, the Plaintiff has fifteendaystofilc a petition f()r judicial review "vith the
. .
Circuit Court. However, the Plaintiff did nol file herjudicial petition untii February J. for
outside of the fifteen day window, thus making her petition time barred and requiring dismissal.
Gourlay 1'. Williams, 874So.2d 987, 988 (l\Jiss. 2004).
Argument; The Co.urt Slwuld Assess Sanctions Against the Plaintiff Under the Mh;srssippi
Litigi1tion Accountability Ad
9. The Defendant seeks sanctions in the fi:mn ofthe imposition of attomey's fees and costs PUI suant
to the Mississippi Litigation Accountability Act, Miss. Code Ann. 11-55-5 and Rule 11 of the
Mississippi Rules a/Civil Procedure for bringing this frivolous action. Although the Plaintiff did
bring her action pro se, she also is a practicing attorney and a member of the California Bar. She
has been prolific in bringing lawsuits, and there is even a Wikipedia page devoted to her court
crusade. http://en.wikipedia.orglwikilOrly_Taitz. Additionally, she has developed an extensive
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webpage at www.orlytaitzesq.com which discusses her extensive litigation activity on the
"birther" issue. The Plaintiff was also sanctioned for bringing a frivolous action as discussed in
Rhodes v. McDonald, 670 F.Supp.2d 1373 (M.D.Ga. 2009). Clearly, this suit is frivolous and
sanctions should be imposed.
Prayer For Relief
WHERFORE, PREMISES CONSIDERED, the Defendant prays that this Court win enter an
Order and Judgment dismissing the Plaintiffs Petition with prejudice and shall likewise assess the
Plaintiff with an costs and reasonable attorney's fees for bringing this frivolous action.
BEGLEY LAW FIRM, PLLC
P. O. Box287
Jackson. MS 39205
(601)969-5545
(601 )96Y-55;7
Respectfully submjtted
THE MJSSISSIPPIDEMOCRATIC
EXECUTIVE COMMITTl<::E,
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CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
The undersigned hereby certifies that on the date set forth hereinafter, a true and correct
copy of the above and foregoing document was caused to be served via email, telefax or U.S. mail
on the following:
The Honorable R. Kenneth Coleman
Special Circuit Judge
P.O. Box 1995
New Albany, Mississippi 38652
Orly Taitz, Esq.
29839 Santa Margarita Parkway, Suite 100
Rancho Santa Margarita, CA 92688
Harold E. Pizzetta, Esq.
Justin L Matheny, Esq.
Office ofine Attorney General
550 High Street, Suite] 200
PD. Box 220
Jackson, MS 39205
~ .
This the day of March, 2012.
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