SS mentioned it as an aside in the health care thread, I do not think we really discussed it. Does the natural born American clause help or hurt us? Obviously we have had some Presidents who were not born in the US. Looking over this list of Presidents who were not born in the US, seems like some damn fine Presidents

 

• George Washington
• John Adams
• Thomas Jefferson
• James Madison
• James Monroe
• John Quincy Adams
• Andrew Jackson
• William Henry Harrison

I recall when Henry Kissinger was the poster child of someone who many would have liked to see run for President.

SS mentioned it as an aside in the health care thread, I do not think we really discussed it. Does the natural born American clause help or hurt us? Obviously we have had some Presidents who were not born in the US. Looking over this list of Presidents who were not born in the US, seems like some damn fine Presidents

 

• George Washington
• John Adams
• Thomas Jefferson
• James Madison
• James Monroe
• John Quincy Adams
• Andrew Jackson
• William Henry Harrison

I recall when Henry Kissinger was the poster child of someone who many would have liked to see run for President.

TECHNICALLY, they were all born in what would become the United States of America... just not before we were independent from Great Brittan.

TECHNICALLY, they were all born in what would become the United States of America... just not before we were independent from Great Brittan.

 

Fair enough.

I am very glad Kissinger never had the potential to be President.

 

Seems anachronistic these days.

So, I've pondered this before and I still have yet to come to a clear decision on my stance. While I understand why this was implemented back then, I am not totally sure how applicable it is today.

 

The example I use is if a kid was born in say... Sweden... and at the age of 3 moved to America with his family, by the time he is 35, he's probably going to be no less American than I am. So, whose to say he is less deserving to be President for the country he loves?

 

But at the same time, i can see how it is a deterrent from keeping some guy who may have been born in say... Kenya... and be secretly Muslim, be a great charismatic guy,... only to use that charisma to transform America into some kind of socialist Muslim country. ok ok... you get the joke there, but the point is valid i think.

So, I've pondered this before and I still have yet to come to a clear decision on my stance. While I understand why this was implemented back then, I am not totally sure how applicable it is today.

 

The example I use is if a kid was born in say... Sweden... and at the age of 3 moved to America with his family, by the time he is 35, he's probably going to be no less American than I am. So, whose to say he is less deserving to be President for the country he loves?

 

But at the same time, i can see how it is a deterrent from keeping some guy who may have been born in say... Kenya... and be secretly Muslim, be a great charismatic guy,... only to use that charisma to transform America into some kind of socialist Muslim country. ok ok... you get the joke there, but the point is valid i think.

 

We have home born and bred citizens capable of leading us down a path we do not want to go.

We have home born and bred citizens capable of leading us down a path we do not want to go.

and that's why I am conflicted. It's a solid counter point.

and that's why I am conflicted. It's a solid counter point.

 

It kind of comes down to "best available" why reject the majority of people on the planet automatically? Especially if the person is the one voted on by the citizens?

if we trust our states to have non-us born citizens run them (CA, MI, etc) why should the Federal Government be any different?

 

Shoot, Congress could always impeach if things go outta control.

How about the age?

i think 35 is fair.

I always get stuck on the thought that if X is the person the voters elect, why place any barriers to X?

While I understand the argument...I think I would be more comfortable knowing an American born person is leading our nation. Might just be my little bit of xenophobia. Plus, I can't imagine our first foreign born president...Arnold Schwarzenegger...

How about if you came at age whatever, you have to be naturalized for 35 years?

I support the whole being American-born thing and I have no idea why. I just do.

How about if you came at age whatever, you have to be naturalized for 35 years?

 

I'm sure there are people that have been born in another country that are just as, if not more, patriotic than some people that were born in America, BUT...it just makes me uncomfortable for some reason. Nor should they be able to be VP or on the Supreme Court. Again, don't know why, just makes me uncomfortable.

 

 

I don't mind the citizenship requirement. Arnold would have made a horrible Prez anyway.

I don't mind the citizenship requirement. Arnold would have made a horrible Prez anyway.

Oh good lord yes. He'd be ... horrible.

 

Oh good lord yes. He'd be ... horrible.

What, you don't think California's been run effectively the last couple years?

What, you don't think California's been run effectively the last couple years?

It's been great, from what I've seen.

 

So what would you all think about an upper age limit on the presidency?

So what would you all think about an upper age limit on the presidency?

That depends. Did we stop counting years for Walt Disney?

So what would you all think about an upper age limit on the presidency?

 

Pro.

So what would you all think about an upper age limit on the presidency?

 

Against. Old doesn't necessarily mean incapable. You can be in your 40's and 50's and be just as incapable.

 

(see: 2001-2009; United States of America)

you guys are total xenophobes.