Updated: What Perry said on the birther issue

Published October 25, 2011 4:00am ET



Update: Watch the uncut video of Rick Perry’s remarks on the ‘birther’ issue.

John Harwood of The Times posts the transcript:

Q: Why did you choose to keep the birther issue alive?

A. It’s a good issue to keep alive. You know, Donald [Trump] has got to have some fun. It’s fun to poke him a little bit and say “Hey, let’s see your grades and your birth certificate.” I don’t have a clue about where the president — and what this birth certificate says. But it’s also a great distraction. I’m not distracted by it.