should we change the constitution to allow poeple who where born elsewhere to be president?
143054
NO BECAUSE I DO NOT WANT THE GOVENATOR TO BE PRESIDENT
95911
Yes she could. Article II of the US Constitution states:\n\n"No person except a natural born Citizen, or a Citizen of the United States, at the time of the Adoption of this Constitution, shall be eligible to the Office of President; neither shall any Person be eligible to that Office who shall not have attained to the Age of thirty-five Years, and been fourteen Years a Resident within the United States."\n\nSo now the question is: What is a natural born citizen? Title 8, Section 1401 of the US Code would conclude that yes, in fact she is a natural born citizen (assuming her father meets this condition):\n\n"(g) a person born outside the geographical limits of the United States and its outlying possessions of parents one of whom is an alien, and the other a citizen of the United States who, prior to the birth of such person, was physically present in the United States or its outlying possessions for a period or periods totaling not less than five years, at least two of which were after attaining the age of fourteen years: Provided, That any periods of honorable service in the Armed Forces of the United States, or periods of employment with the United States Government or with an international organization as that term is defined in section 288 of title 22 by such citizen parent, or any periods during which such citizen parent is physically present abroad as the dependent unmarried son or daughter and a member of the household of a person\n(A) honorably serving with the Armed Forces of the United States, or\n(B) employed by the United States Government or an international organization as defined in section 288 of title 22, may be included in order to satisfy the physical-presence requirement of this paragraph. This proviso shall be applicable to persons born on or after December 24, 1952, to the same extent as if it had become effective in its present form on that date"
428164
No, he's already way over his head in California.  Besides, we have a president right now who is not really up to the challenges of presidency - and I really don't want to repeat that again.\n\nPlus, I think that a president of his country should be born here.  Any other job can go to anyone else with legal status - but not the presidency.
1106178
No, but I would support a Constitutional Amendment that states, that no Bush, family, or friend of the Bush family can EVER hold public office anytime or anywhere in any state, territory or holding of the United States of America.
1100478
No.  Birthright citizenship (which needs to be abloished) applies to persons "born in the United States", and a territory does not qualify.  However, if either parent were American, citizenship would pass to the child in that fashion.
433274
I think if you are a naturalized citizen you should be able to have all the rights of a citizen born in that country, especially if you're a better player than the born citizen.
179756
Because the Constitution states that only people born in the United States can become president.
506093
Yes, by current law in America, anyone not the child of a diplomatic representative is an American citizen upon birth in America.
70036
I dont know why the first respondent felt the need to laugh at your question, thats immature. \n\nI dont know if there will be a president who is any race other than white but I definitely think its something that should happen in the near future. I believe if a person of any race can be a citizen in this country and contribute to the economy, then they should be eligible for presidency.
317094
No, I would not because of the electoral college system.  The electoral college system already skews democratic votes into a system that favors smaller states (the "Great" compromise).  As such, DC, Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, and the Virgin Islands would then complicate an already skews the system for electing national representatives.  Thus, you would have to come up with a way the electoral college handles US territories with representatives. \n\nMoreover, the constitutional makes clear that senators can be no fewer than 2 and must come from a state.  Thus, the only way to limit them (assuming that they become a state) to 1 senator is to amend the constitution.\n\nHowever, keep up the big thinking as it is the only way improvement happens.  As Bobby Kennedy used to say, "Some people see things as they are and say 'why'.  I dream things that never were and ask 'why not'."
383031
I think he would have to be.  Article II clearly states: "No person except a natural born Citizen, or a Citizen of the United States, at the time of the Adoption of this Constitution, shall be eligible to the Office of President".  So if, for some odd reason, this did actually happen, then Bush wouldn't be a natural born citizen.  I don't quite know what the political repercussions would be, since he would always have been illegal, but I suppose that's a question for people more versed then I.
169726
a good proposal for an amendment for the Constitution would be  to change the requirements to be president.  you would still have to be 35 years old and be a resident in the United States for 14 years, but change the natural-born citizen part.  instead of being a natural-born citizen make it be a United States citizen for 40 years.  this way people whose parents move here when they are kids; these would be the only ways that they know and know as much as any other kid here.  i think this would be a grand topic to talk about in your paper and could easly elaberate on with examples.  remember to explain yourself and put your heart and soul into it to get a good grade.
677927
Actually, the suggestion that the Constitution be ammended to allow foreign born persons to be elected President seems to have come out of Mr Schwartzeneger's supporters. The idea was that there are people being held in Guantanamo who have the right to RUN, so why shouldn't Arnold be able to  also? I think the time window for this idea has closed, simply because the Governor's personal popularity has sunk since assuming power.
603304
Because Presidents are supposed to be born in the country they run...\nIs just a rule, and I think it applies to every country.\nIt can be a bit shallow if you consider that if you arrived to a new country when you were 1 year old, you are practically from that country but... what can I say?\nYou can still be governor though. Ask Mr. Schwarzenegger.\n\nGoodluck!
349940
US Constitution section 1 article 2 states:\nNo person except a natural born Citizen, or a Citizen of the United States, at the time of the Adoption of this Constitution, shall be eligible to the Office of President; neither shall any Person be eligible to that Office who shall not have attained to the Age of thirty-five Years, and been fourteen Years a Resident within the United States.\n\nYou don't have to be born in the U.S. or on U.S. soil, or your parents be on vacation, they just need to be U.S. citizens at the time of your birth and have you in the country before they become citizens of another.
131268
No I can't since the current law requires the president to be an American-born citizen. Now an American of African decent, no problem. I just watched Colin Powell on Leno last night with the hopes that he would soften a little on the idea of running for President. He would be a good one.
70628
If you want to change the government then do so within the means of the constitution.  Make sure  you vote.