Why is that you can be governor in the US, without being born in America, but not president?
351191
state politics are decided by state constitutions.  The states can put whatever requirements they want on their Governor.  The Federal constitution, however, states that foreign born folks cannot be president.\n\nNo, Arnold cannot be VP.  To take that seat, he MUST be eligible for the presidency.  (There was a question a few years ago about Bill Clinton using the VPs office as a backdoor to a third term, but it was impossible)
959964
There is nothing in the Constitution that says the Vice President must be a "natural born" citizen. It only states that for the President. But, originally, the President and Vice President were not on the ballot together. The person with the most electoral votes became President, and the person with the second most electoral votes became Vice President. So both were running for President, and both would need to fulfill the requirements. That was changed when the 12th Amendment was ratified in 1804. Since then, the electors vote for a President and a Vice President. \n\nIf it did happen (extremely unlikely), the order of succession would have to skip over the Vice President then, and the second in line would then be the Speaker of the House. You can't overrule the Constitution just because the Vice President was not born a citizen.
811817
Good and bad\nYou can be a total incompetent and still be a governor in florida or texas and one day even be president.\nBad- if your mother if jewish - you will not be elected governor of Virginia - even if you pick on indians and callthem Maccaka - to make yourself popular
281756
There are several women out there right now with the nads to be president.  Many other nations have female heads of state so why no the U.S.?  One way to look at it is being a good mother.  To do this you have to be a good leader requiring strength, making tough decisions even if those you lead (your kids) hate you for a while, being flexible with what new information comes your way, and so forth.  \nNot saying a president has to be a mom, just saying women have the ability and strength of character to do the job.\n\nThanks for a great question.
711977
Only natural born citizens can be President.\nI agree with this because someone born here has more reason to defend the US then someone born elsewhere
1100281
The political playing field is really open to just about all citizens of the US (except president where you have to be born in the US in addition to being a citizen). However, it would be difficult for you to gather votes if no one knows you neh?\n\nMoney talks, if you don't have the money, you have to start small and slowly work  up to the national scene.
978106
In other words, should be amend the Constitution to eliminate the "natural born" requirement?\n\nLet's break it down. First, I think that anyone born of two US citizens should be allowed to run for president, even if they were born overseas. So, those whose citizen-parents were on vacation, or serving or traveling overseas, should not be precluded.\n\nAs to those who are born of non-citizens, if they are born in the US (regardless of where they are raised), then they are eligble, under the 14th Amendment. But if they are born overseas, regardless of where they are raised, they are not.  Personally, I think that where someone is raised is more important than the first few minutes of their life. And the risk (if any) arises from their beliefs and personality, not the geography they happened to be in before they were able to speak or walk.\n\nThen again, history has shown that simply being born in the US certainly doesn't make someone competent to be President, even if they happen to be legally qualified to run.
663428
Some countries grant citizenship by birth. For example, if you are born in the USA, you are an American citizen, no matter if your parents are not.\n\nSome countries grant citizenship by blood. For example, if one of your parents is Spanish, you are considered Spanish. There is a well-known case of an American who went to Spain to visit relatives and was conscripted in the army because he was Spanish by parental blood.\n\nStateless citizens are something different. For instance, in Kuwait, they did a census around 1926 and another around 1951. If your family is not on the census, you were not Kuwaiti. However, they did not take a census of the Bedoun, who are nomadic Kuwaitis (Arabs - as Kuwaitis might argue they are "not" Kuwaiti) who live in the desert around Kuwait City proper. These Bedoun, though their ancestors have lived there for many years (or hundreds) are stateless. They do not have Kuwaiti citizenship and are not entitled to the benefits that Kuwaiti citizens get.\n\nI hope this helps put it in perspective.
82183
a person born in a country not of parent's citizenship but the person can choose the country where he was born
310861
It takes a lot to change the constitution. You might as well not waste your time on something as silly as changing it so an unpoopular governor can lose the Presidential election for your party. Because, it might make it harder to get a law change you do want.
555147
No, because the Constitution states that a candidate must be born in the United States.  Puerto Rico is not a U.S. state, it is a U.S. territory.
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.
145774
There is no governor of America. There is a president. Governors are the leaders of each state. The president is President Bush.
122471
no.. you have to be an american by birth, in the united states.. besides would you want an israili or packistani in the oval office???  HELLO..
802516
It depends on the state, for instance in Texas(were I live) the governor has very little power, while in other states they have much more. most can introduce legislation at the state level and etc. Basically they are state level presidents with limited power and more checks on what they can and cannot do.
506093
Yes, by current law in America, anyone not the child of a diplomatic representative is an American citizen upon birth in America.
607942
You cannot change your nationality.