What's the difference?
Like "tea bagger" the term "birther" is a derogatory term used to demonize anyone attempting to find out the truth regarding America's first non-disclosure "witness protection" president.
But unlike “Tea Bagger”, whose proper name is Tea Party, there is no proper name for the group challenging Obama’s claim to being a natural born citizen.
While a parallel is often made between “birther” and “truther”, or 9-11 denialist, if you think about it, the term “birther” really doesn’t have a negative connotation.
A “truther” denies good quality evidence; but a “birther” is demanding good quality evidence. The best that those defending Obama can do is:
1) Refuse to provide the evidence.
2) Curse and deride those who demand the evidence.
3) Deny that it matters if he was natural born or not.
In the final analysis, what birthers are doing is honorable and righteous. So being called names by those opposed to them can be worn as a badge of honor.