Rohrabacher Pushes Schwarzenegger Presidential Amendment

[The1calledTKE]

Schwarzenegger for president in 2008? No, he's not eligible. Born in Austria, he's barred by the Constitution. But that would change under an amendment introduced Wednesday by a fellow California Republican.




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Rep. Dana Rohrabacher's proposal would allow anyone who's been a U.S. citizen for 20 years to run for the nation's highest office. That would include Arnold Schwarzenegger, bodybuilder, movie star and now governor of California.
Schwarzenegger, who became a citizen in 1983, has said he supports amending the Constitution so foreign-born citizens can run for president. But he's sidestepped questions about whether he might want to run, saying he's focused on governing California.

Rohrabacher said in an interview that Schwarzenegger was doing a great job as governor, but his real aim was to open up the presidential process. "We've got some talented people who might be able to help our country and provide some much-needed leadership, and there's no reason if they've been a citizen for over 20 years to exclude them," he said.

Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, has introduced similar legislation in the Senate.

http://www.newsmax.com/archives/ic/2...5/220242.shtml


What a dumb idea. This is purely political since Arnold would have the best shot in 2008 if he could run. I hope Republicans vote along with Democrats to make sure this doesn't pass. Goes against what the founding founders wanted.

[PhiPsiRuss]

The idea of amending the Constitution to accommodate one person is very disturbing to me.

[Kevin]

Originally posted by PhiPsiRuss
The idea of amending the Constitution to accommodate one person is very disturbing to me.

There's been talk in the past that Madeline Albright would have made a good candidate but couldn't run because she was born overseas.

I think the founding fathers would be okay with it since several of them who were President were also born overseas. The law was to keep foriegn royals from being elected to that high office. Frankly, I don't see Prince William winning any elections over here anytime soon

[Munchkin03]

Originally posted by ktsnake

I think the founding fathers would be okay with it since several of them who were President were also born overseas.

Which ones?

[Kevin]

Munchkin, I could have sworn I saw it somewhere. Was talking out of my ass there.

I'll put down my crackpipe now

Pretend I never said that.

[AlphaSigOU]

Originally posted by ktsnake
Frankly, I don't see Prince William winning any elections over here anytime soon

True dat... he'd also hafta renounce his right to Royal succession and adopt his 'civilian' name (William Arthur Philip Louis Mountbatten-Windsor). And that's if such a constitutional amendment is ever passed. It ain't just tailor-made for Der Governator; there are quite a few people who are Presidential material, but are otherwise constitutionally barred from the office.

[Sister Havana]

I know the first seven presidents plus William Henry Harrison were born before the US was officially a country, and therefore many of them were British citizens.

There's also one story that says Andrew Jackson was actually born at sea, en route from Ireland if I remember correctly.

[DeltAlum]

I'm not sure I'm ready for another "Acting" President.

(Actually, just a little pun -- I thought Reagan did a pretty good job.)

Thankfully, by the time the states pass a Constitutional Amendment, I'll probably be to OLD to vote.

[Kevin]

Originally posted by Sister Havana
I know the first seven presidents plus William Henry Harrison were born before the US was officially a country, and therefore many of them were British citizens.

There's also one story that says Andrew Jackson was actually born at sea, en route from Ireland if I remember correctly.

Alrighty, I wasn't talking out of my ass then

I knew I'd heard that somewhere and that's what I heard.

As for Jackson, as long as your born to parents who are both US citizens, that's not an issue.

[IowaStatePhiPsi]

Gov. Granholm of Michigan would make a good president, but she was born Canadian.

The whole thing that you must be born a US citizen was to prevent foreign nations from taking control of the US. But since those nations that were threats to the US at the time are now democracies... I see no fear if the amendment would be something along the lines of "naturalized citizen for 21 years and having lived 10 of the last 14 years in the United States".

Oh- btw: 7 of 10 Americans dont want Arnold as president. http://www.cnn.com/2003/ALLPOLITICS/08/27/arnold.poll/

[Munchkin03]

According to www.whitehouse.gov, Jackson was born in the Carolinas. Not exactly "at sea." I'm going to take that over folklore, thanks.