In fact, there is demonstrable evidence from the time period that Price considered questions about Obama’s birthplace legitimate. After Obama released the long-form copy of his Hawaiian birth certificate in April 2011, Price expressed his dismay that the president had not produced the document earlier.

“The question that the American people are asking is, what took you so long?” Price said in an appearance on Fox Business.

Asked whether the release of the birth certificate had closed the debate over Obama’s birthplace, Price refused to give a definitive answer.

“Oh, I don’t know. There were all sorts of questions that were being asked about it,” Price said.

“This isn’t a top issue for Republicans ― it’s been a top issue for many folks across the country,” he added.

This story has been updated to include Price’s comments on Fox Business.