General Discussion

Aletheia

(2 posts)

9. Nobody really knows

Sun Mar 22, 2015, 11:36 AM

Mar 2015

I think the correct law school Con Law exam answer is nobody knows for sure. The constitution does not define "natural born citizen" so we're left to interpret it. Does it mean no C-Section babies? Probably not. Does it mean born on American soil, or does it mean two citizen parents, or one citizen parent?

In defense of the 'baggers, Vatell's Law of Nations does state that "[t]he natives, or natural-born citizens, are those born in the country, of parents who are citizens." That said, hearing strict constructionist Christan conservative constitutionalists citing a text regarding international law by a French author in interpreting the US Constitutional law drips with delicious irony.

Personally, I think the most reasonable interpretation is to read it as drawing a distinction between citizens by birth and naturalized citizens. Given that, I do think he is eligible.

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Is Ted Cruz even eligible to be President? [View all] Paula Sims Mar 2015 OP

Hey, hey Paula WhiteTara Mar 2015 #1

...I want to marry yoooo pinboy3niner Mar 2015 #49

Well, that should confuse the birthers, The Velveteen Ocelot Mar 2015 #2

Please correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't Canada our KingCharlemagne Mar 2015 #3

No�it's OK... PCIntern Mar 2015 #5

I don't think the Canadians see it that way, The Velveteen Ocelot Mar 2015 #6

OT but during the protests against the Iraq War in 2003, I saw a great hand-written KingCharlemagne Mar 2015 #8

Don't you have a cilla4progress Mar 2015 #11

We do have a great governor, for now. The Velveteen Ocelot Mar 2015 #29

No, it is America's largest national park. AngryAmish Mar 2015 #40

Yes, he's a natural born citizen SickOfTheOnePct Mar 2015 #4

While back, ran across article full of US legaleze discussing Cruz. It's conclusion was that since Panich52 Mar 2015 #36

Yes, according to the US State Department website Lurks Often Mar 2015 #7

Thanks for providing facts, BlueMTexpat Mar 2015 #10

This message was self-deleted by its author android fan Mar 2015 #22

But I don't know that cilla4progress Mar 2015 #12

as natural born citizen has never been defined as anything other than that, yes cali Mar 2015 #17

I demand that he produce the rogerashton Mar 2015 #34

Nobody really knows Aletheia Mar 2015 #9

welcome to du!!!!! The way i was taught it was there was concern that a foreign born (british) dembotoz Mar 2015 #13

Welcome to DU, Aletheia. brer cat Mar 2015 #14

yes, he's eligible. this birther crap is really irritating. cali Mar 2015 #15

"this birth crap is really irritating" SickOfTheOnePct Mar 2015 #18

Indeed it is gratuitous Mar 2015 #41

+1 n/t tammywammy Mar 2015 #57

We should demand to see all his papers. rickford66 Mar 2015 #16

You forgot two more.. android fan Mar 2015 #23

perhaps we could get orly taitz to look into it?? Saphire Mar 2015 #19

Wow, haven't heard from her in awhile. Has the California Bar disbarred her yet? catbyte Mar 2015 #32

Alberta, Canada borders the U.S. Zambero Mar 2015 #20

This message was self-deleted by its author android fan Mar 2015 #21

Seriously? SickOfTheOnePct Mar 2015 #24

I'm calling bullshit. cali Mar 2015 #25

This question mercuryblues Mar 2015 #26

I remember reading that Romney's grandfather gave up US citizenship. rickford66 Mar 2015 #38

you are mercuryblues Mar 2015 #43

Did he officially renounce his Canadian citizenship? Paulie Mar 2015 #27

That's irrelevant jberryhill Mar 2015 #30

It's relavent from a optics Paulie Mar 2015 #37

I think Ted Cruz supporters believe him sufficiently "patriotic" jberryhill Mar 2015 #44

Yes. Last year. underpants Mar 2015 #46

Yes jberryhill Mar 2015 #28

Yes. Delete this post it's foolish. Agschmid Mar 2015 #31

I want to see his certificate of proof of citizenship. I was born in a foreign Cleita Mar 2015 #33

Originally, requirements for obtaining and retention of BlueMTexpat Mar 2015 #45

This is a person trying to be President of the USA. Cleita Mar 2015 #48

Frankly, I think that the whole issue BlueMTexpat Mar 2015 #50

It has a pest factor, like the birther movement. Keeps him on the defense or are you Cleita Mar 2015 #54

True - it has a pest factor! BlueMTexpat Mar 2015 #60

Speaking of who, Stephanie Miller wants to ask her about this Cleita Mar 2015 #61

Of course, President Obama wasn't "required" to publish his birth certificate onenote Mar 2015 #53

So why not make him shut up our dickwads and I'm one of them. eom Cleita Mar 2015 #56

Yes by birth, but NO by smarts, looks, talent, or other such features of humanity. n/t UTUSN Mar 2015 #35

Yes, he's eligible, but the simplistic answer you'll sometimes see is wrong. Jim Lane Mar 2015 #39

Great info, thanks for the post! n/t SickOfTheOnePct Mar 2015 #42

Thanks. 840high Mar 2015 #59

Yes. In 2008 the Senate declared that McCain was eligible and SCOTUS did the same for The CalgaryKid underpants Mar 2015 #47

Yes. nt. NCTraveler Mar 2015 #51

yes he's eligible Man from Pickens Mar 2015 #52

When was the last time a US President had to renounce foreign citizenship? Erich Bloodaxe BSN Mar 2015 #55

Check out Ted Cruz is Canadian. Agnosticsherbet Mar 2015 #58