Governor: Debate letting foreign-born serve as president

[pinniped]

http://www.sacbee.com/content/politics/nation/story/10357722p-11277644c.html

By Margaret Talev -- Bee Capitol Bureau
Published 2:15 am PDT Friday, August 13, 2004

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger on Thursday called for a national debate on changing the U.S. Constitution in a way that would allow him to run for president.

"I think that it is, you know, a debate that ought to go on, just to see where everyone stands in this country," Schwarzenegger said in a nationally broadcast radio interview with syndicated talk show host Tony Snow.

The Austrian-born Republican taped the interview hours before heading to a private fund-raiser in Santa Monica for President Bush, who lags behind Democrat John Kerry in California and is locked in a tight national race.

Snow had asked Schwarzenegger, 57, whether the Constitution, which requires that presidents be American-born, should be amended to allow longtime citizens who are foreign-born to run. GOP Sen. Orrin Hatch of Utah, a Schwarzenegger ally, has been promoting such an amendment since before the movie star's rise to governor last year in the recall election.
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more:

http://www.sacbee.com/content/politics/nation/story/10357722p-11277644c.html

Trying to groom the guy who wouldn't debate without knowing the answers beforehand for a 2008 run are we? I'm losing track of how many times the repukes want to change the Constitution.

[phillybri]

1. Here we go...

:eyes:

[Scairp]

86. Yep

I never heard a word about this before the Austrian groper became a politician. These republicans, who allegedly revere the Constitution, don't seem to have any problem tampering with it willy-nilly. If Democrats had broached the subject first they would have been called "unpatriotic" for wanting to change the Constitution over such ridiculous issues. I hope this doesn't happen. We certainly don't need another actor faking his way through the Presidency.

[CO Liberal]

2. That's All We Need - Another Brain-Dead Imbecile!!!!!

[trogdor]

3. President Strong Bad!

Woot!

[shaolinmonkey]

4. But the official language must be English. Sheesh...

The duplicity of these morons is fathomless.

[yellowcanine]

5. I am in favor of anything which could permit Jennifer Granholm to run for

President. Canadian born, alas.

[onenote]

30. or teresa

And I can't wait to see how the repugs that have suggested the country isn't ready for a "foreign born" First Lady will rationalize support for Ah-nold...

onenote

[MaineDem]

6. I'd like this idea better if it came from a native-born American

And not as a self-serving promotion!

[Freddie Stubbs]

25. Ask and you shall recieve

http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/D?d108:12:./temp/~bdOskS::|/bss/d108query.html|

[rogerashton]

7. It is always a bad idea to change the constitution to

benefit a particular person.

If the constitution were changed in this way, people should be eligible for the office of president ONLY IF THEY ARE NATURALIZED AFTER THE AMENDMENT TAKES PLACE.

The two-term amendment worked that way. Truman was exempt, since he was already president when that amendment came in.

Question: would the Gropinator support the amendment with that limitation? If not, then his support is not principled, but self-interested.

[kskiska]

9. Exactly!

My view is that if this is to occur, it should not benefit anyone in politics today. Set a date, such as 30 years from now.

[dolstein]

58. Would you say the same thing if the Constitution barred blacks

from being president and Colin Powell wanted to run?

[rogerashton]

64. Why Colin Powell?

This hypothetical does not fit all that well. We have had constitutional amendments that extended rights to former slaves -- too bad they have not been fully implemented.

The principle behind a constitution is that it approximates the choices people would make "behind a veil of ignorance" -- not knowing whether they would benefit from a particular limitation or not. Yes, even: not knowing what color they are. (Or more realistically, if realism matters, which color would be barred from the franchise.) This "veil of ignorance" is an ideal that can never be fully realized, of course, but it is the motivation for such things as the requirement of a supermajority for amendments and the caution in making changes exemplified by the two-term amendment.

Demanding "change the constitution so that I can run for president," however, violates the constitutional principle so completely that one might as well ask "get rid of the constitution since it is a barrier to me getting what I want." At best, it displays an ignorance of constitutional principles that would disqualify the man if he had been born in (let's say) Texas.

Are immigrants wronged by this constitutional limit, as people of color would be if they were (as they have been) barred? Perhaps -- but at least the immigrants knew what they were getting when they signed the naturalization papers. They had the option of not doing so. People born with dark skins and of slave ancestry had no such option -- so the glove don't fit.

[TankLV]

90. Here we go again - straw man argument.

Of course not.

Not the same thing in any way shape or form.

Apples and oranges, my friend.

[yellowcanine]

75. Question: would the Gropinator support the amendment with that limitation?

If not, then his support is not principled, but self-interested.

Well, now, let me see, that's a tough one, uh, hold on, I think I know this, ah..........NO?

[Q]

8. Strange that they don't want to debate the important issues of the day...

...like the Patriot Act, cause of terrorism or the war on drugs.

- Although I must admit...Arnold would be a great choice to run a fascist government.

[JuniorPlankton]

10. I don't see what's wrong with the idea

Why should we have several classes of citizens: eligible for some things, but not for others?
You hate to see the change come as a promotion for one person, but the concept is right.

[Tempest]

14. Go see the original Manchurian Candidate

This is a bad idea.

[DBoon]

36. Go see "Demolition Man"

... In the end, that's all this film is: flames, flying bullets, and special effects. It could be worse, I suppose, but as long as people go into this film with their eyes open, there shouldn't be any surprises. And if there's one lasting question to carry away from Demolition Man, it's how Arnold Schwarzenegger could become President of the United States, sixty-first amendment notwithstanding.

http://movie-reviews.colossus.net/movies/d/demo_man.html

[Strawman]

15. I agree

I don't like the idea of a President Schwarzenegger, but I will defend his right as an American to run for President. That's what liberals are supposed to do. The appropriate way to deny him the presidency is an an open, free campaign, not some nativist from of discrimination. This native born requirement is a xenophobic relic and should and could probably be eliminated without much controversy. It might enable good candidates without an R next to their names to run also.

[PATRICK]

32. Specifically

it would allow other nations or groups to groom and send over viable and influential candidates from a bottomless population pool for a job that at times seems to demand less talent and accountability(GOP that is) than a Senator or other representative. So they would tailor the change to get around this invitation to the world?

Look at other countries with foreign imports as heads of state. Fujimori in Peru. The polite withdrawal of the Italian candidate for India's top position because of popular dissension. The more critical the stakes the worse the idea is. When the world is completely democratic and open then rational people can make rational changes.

[Strawman]

35. That's paranoid. You've been watching too many movies.

And those are bad examples. The idea of a foreign country grooming an operative to take over the government seems ridiculous to me on face. It would never work. There are too many checks. This argument is something I'd expect from some Nixonite who just got done reading Witness by Whittaker Chambers.

Also, unlike India or Peru this is a country of (mostly) immigrants. I don't think either example is very germane to the US. In particular, Fujimori failed because he was corrupt, not because he was part Japanese and I don't think he was placed in office as a result of a Japanese plot. Soni Gandhi didn't want to stir up Hindu nationalism and she was dealing with a country that had a very recent history of European colonial rule, so that's a different situation.

If some foreign gov't really had a hard-on to plant an operative in the US political system, why would they necessarily pick one of their own? This native born rule doesn't eliminate the possibility of foreign meddling in our government. It's just xenophobic discrimination. All the xenophobic responses just reinforce that point. Why draw the line at foreign born even? Are you suspicious of Obama being a Kenyan plant? Granholm a Canadian conspirator? Maybe Schwarzenegger had a microchip planted in his brain by Kurt Waldheim. Ridiculous.

[Charlie Brown]

42. They can already do that

There are scores of American birth-citizens who are either born overseas (through American parents) or come of age in a foreign country (look at Mel Gibson). If that American who was fighting with the Taliban has the right to become President, I don't see why naturalized citizens can't enjoy the same right. What about people like Tereza-Heinz Kerry?

[PATRICK]

81. Talking about sheer numbers.

They can't ferry whole populations here to be born, but suddenly anyone can move here and expect to be considered for President. Of course things happen, but that is advertising for a free for all that only the actual naturalization process could screen.

Nothing to fear, except you have just exponentially enlarged a new possibility for ambitious people and other concerns. Again we would mainly be sponsoring the ambitions of elites from all over not some common man immigrant. Statistic wise.

The law makes more sense today than it ever did, though in a freer global village it could be dropped.

[Charlie Brown]

107. Is this not already true?

US politics is already brimming with ambitious people who would constitute a danger if elected to high office (Pat Buchanan, Ralph Reed, Paul Wolfowitz, Condi Rice, etc.). If you're so in favor of narrowing the margin of people eligible for the presidency, should we ban all second, third generation immigrants from the protocol? Do you think Muslims, Budhists, Catholics should be prohibited from seeking high office? After all, we're not entirely sure we can trust them, are we? A "free for all?" I think you're underestimating the amount of credibility it takes to win a major Pary's trust. There has only been one non-Protestant ever elected President (Kennedy). If there's a hint of devious intentions or ambition by a recent candidate, most voters will avoid them like the plague (why do you think Dole won the Repub nom over Buchanan in '96?). I don't see foreign nationals stacking the 'states with potential Presidential candidates. (the citizenship process takes so long, it would be a pretty futile effort). And even if they did, how is Bush's loyalty to Saudi oil interests any different than if a Saudi national were in power?

[Walt Starr]

33. NEVER!!!!!!!!

You would invite other nations in the world to groom people specifically to win the job and send them to America. All that is necessary is to groom pretty people to become big entertainers with an ultimate goal of political office.

It is inviting the turning over of our highest office to foreign interests.

It's treason, IMO, to suggest we alter the constitution in this manner.

[Charlie Brown]

44. Would you object to amendments

tht abolished the Electoral College or guaranteed full rights for women or gays/lesbians?

[DulceDecorum]

48. And speaking of Xenophobia

would you care to comment on the immigration law that
SPECIFICALLY PROHIBITS NAZIS
and NAZI SYMPATHIZERS from ENTERING into the US,
let alone running for office?

The ofspring of one Prescott Bush who were
Born in the USA, and I
all waiting anxiously to hear your wise proclamation.

[ibegurpard]

11. How incredibly self-serving

Maybe this IS a dialogue we should be having but he is certainly not the appropriate person to be broaching the subject.

[phillybri]

96. Exactly..."We should amend the constitution for ME!"

:puke:

[beyurslf]

12. I see nothing wrong with the Constitution the way it is on this issue.

And I know it bars Jennifer Granholm from running also.

[LynneSin]

13. I think Jennifer would sacrifice her chances of being president...

...if it keeps that girlie-man out of the White House

[PATRICK]

16. Situation worse than 1781

An even more tempting prize even for allies to send good breeds to the US and start running for literally President of the World. Any qualifiers designed to limit this to the great actor's case would make this a laughable giveaway to the desperate GOP. The Dems don't need actor front men to gloss over message and extreme electoral flaws. Parade magazine wanted feedback on this. I am sure this stupid amendment idea will get better press than the ERA amendment and more respect than the Bill of Rights.

With the power inherent in the presidency it could open an immigrant heartthrob rush from all over the world. It also means the eventual likelihood of a Latino President to lord it over the stupid white men holding Arnold's towels in the locker room.

But if the Constitution is to be tinkered with for the ambitions of one unsubstantial partisan why not the whole ball of wax then? Repeal term limits for the Presidency?

It is a disgrace to even contemplate endangering the nation's security for the trivial desperation of the GOP talent pool. The press corps unfortunately is drooling to hard to laugh it out of the country. let's settle the electoral college issue first to name one injustice.

By the time Arnold gets his candidate papers his steroid use and heart problems will have caught up with as of now sincere efforts to do the job. He carries heavy heavy guilt by association and terrible right wing ideas to be aided in becoming yet another unworthy choice for POTUS in a way that practically strips law of its very meaning.

This nation is becoming an embarrassment to the human race in general with juvenile causes such as this in times of looming crisis.

[ramapo]

17. Why?

Aren't there enough viable candidates to choose from among the many millions of native citizens?

Should the Constitution be changed to suit the political ambitions of one man? I don't think so.

Aren't there slightly more important issues that our legislatures should be attending to?

[Charlie Brown]

47. That's not the point

the point is to give people who have adopted the US as their homeland and proven their commitment (through citizenship) the right to attain this land's premier office. That office should not be reserved exclusively for the privelleged numbers who are birth-citizens.

[TankLV]

91. That's your one opinion - I disagree.

Don't fuck with the constitution for personal gain.

[Charlie Brown]

105. Do you think the amendments

that ended slavery, guaranteed suffrage (for women and former slaves), and prohibited poll taxes were "fucking with the constitution for personal gain?"

[tanyev]

18. Here's what really ticks me off about this idea

The population of this nation is approaching what, nearly 300,000,000? And Ah-nold is the best the Republicans can come up with out of all those people? It was insulting enough when W was the best they could come up with. Unbelievable.

[tabasco]

50. My sentiments exactly.

I could scarcely believe it when they actually nominated Bush. He was exposed utterly as an idiot during the debates. The republicans truly rely on the ignorance and stupidity of the masses. If they really want a cowboy to be their representative, you'd think they could at least find a real cowboy. But a real cowboy might actually have some moral courage, ethics, and original ideas. These qualities are anathema to what the republicans desire in a stuffed-shirt, do-nothing candidate.

[OnionPatch]

19. Nooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Walt Starr]

20. I think Swarzengroper will be surprised at how many Americans

are vehemently opposed to this. I know I am.

[thecrow]

21. President Saddam Hussein

Need I say more?

[Tripmann]

22. ROTFL

Well, every other job is being outsourced at the moment!

Seriously though, this is a blatant disregard for the constitution. If he stated that it was for the common good i.e. future governors and not his own ambitions then it would be a much different matter.

Guess subtlety was never going to be one of his virtues as governor

Tripmann

[ReadTomPaine]

88. “Outsourcing the Presidency” – love that quote! n/t

[bushisanidiot]

23. What ever happened to the repuke's favorite mantra: respect the rule of

law????

Gawd! They're always trying to change the friggin' constitution!

idiots..

[sadiesworld]

98. I still say you need the umbrella pic.

:)

[Walt Starr]

24. This demonstrates the difference between the Democrats and Republicans

Democrats believe the constitution is a sacred document to be revered.

Republicans consider it a rough draft.

[Submariner]

26. Just because Stallone mad a Schwarzenegger "joke"

in that stupid 'Demolition Man' about the Gropenraper's presidential library, we should not be swayed to even think about putting a serial women molester and an A#1 ahole in the WH. There are enough repuke aholes in that building already.

[ChrisK]

27. Why does this feel like the "Reagan years" all over again

I think the GOP saw how well it worked for Reagan and are trying to do the same with Schwarzenegger, hoping that his flaws will be masked with his charm as a Hollywood star of sorts.

He will be the same puppet that Reagan was at times...a man with far right-wing thinking and loved by many people, no matter how bad some of his ideas were people will look for a strong, charming person for their president instead of a person that has there best interests at heart.

I'm not trying to say that Schwarzenegger is a god awful person but I really have to wonder why he wants to change a document that is there to protect the people in this country for his own self interests.

I'm sorry but I don't think the GOP really wants to put a person in the White House that really cares about the American values when we have seen what just a few have done to this country in short order.

Like someone said, if he really wants to see a change like this happen he will ask that he is exempt from the law if it were to pass.

[peacetalksforall]

28. Stupidity. No Austrian born for President of the U.S.

No Australian born for President of the U.S.
No South African born for President of the U.S.
No Tuva born for President of the U.S.
No Bangledesh born for President of the U.S.
No Bolivia born for President of the U.S.

THERE IS NO NEED TO CHANGE THE CONSTITUTION WHEN THIS COUNTRY HAS A COUNTRY FULL OF QUALIFIED CANDIDATES!

Stupidity! Validated by coming out of stupid's mouth.

[Freddie Stubbs]

73. Should that same requirement be for Governors and members of Congress?

:shrug:

[Barret]

29. I would support this

though quite frankly I doubt anyone would ever get to (seriously) run to begin with considering unspoken pre-qualifications for president with so many are rich, white, and well connected...

[realFedUp]

31. He's frustrated by California and wants a new job

Plus he's annoyed by his lack of vacations....
http://www.arnoldwatch.org

Arnold's Vacation-less Fantasy World
By Douglas Heller

Remember when Arnold saved the life of a struggling swimmer last April? He was on a 10-day Hawaiian vacation, right?

So what did the Gov mean when he told radio listeners of the Tony Snow show this morning: "Well, I mean, I was elected to be the Governor of this state and to fix the problems of this state and to spend the time here in Sacramento and all over the state and not to travel around the country. I haven't even taken a vacation yet. I have not gone anywhere. I don't have the time for anything, because there's so many things that we have to fix here. And I'm like a machine. I will not let go until those things are fixed. It's that simple."

OK, maybe you forget a week and a half at your Maui retreat. But what about that 12 day winter vacation in Sun Valley, Idaho around New Years? Or the weekend in Ohio for the Arnold Classic, a weightlifting contest? True, he was doing some work then - he accepted the post of Executive Editor of two fitness magazines on that trip. So what about the trip to Israel? Or Austria? Or how about his east coast fundraising swing in February?

Arnold has been Governor of California for less than nine months, yet he has taken three to four weeks vacation (depending on whether or not you consider it work to make a fundraising trip to New York and the trip to Austria for a politician's funeral). How many Californians would love to get a month of vacation in their first year on the job?

[auburngrad82]

34. Let's nominate Reverend Moon for President

[tom_paine]

37. What Constitution? The Buseviks have turned t into a meaningless sham-doc

ument.

One thing is clear, when Bushevik Emperor-in-Waiting wants to run, he WILL run, and whatever changes are needed to facilitate that wioll have NOTHING to do with the Imperial Subjects of Amerika.

All the Imperial Subjects have to do is what they have done up uintil this minute: Sit on the sidelines and dumbly watch TV.

[geek tragedy]

38. I actually agree with him on this.

Imagine if Barack Obama weren't a native born citizen.

The rule made a lot more sense when the country was in its infancy and loyalty had to be ensured by such measures.

If someone moves here to pursue a better life and embraces the American dream, there's no reason why they shouldn't be named president. Maybe give a twenty years residency requirement or something like that.

In any event, and I know this will sound like heresy, I'd much rather have the Republicans nominating and being led by like Schwarzenegger than Bush, Cheney, and DeLay. I wouldn't vote for them, but I think a healthy and (relatively) sane Republican party would be good for the US.

[Walt Starr]

40. The constitutional clause makes even more sense today

Look at what it takes to get elected in this country today. Have a pretty face and make vacuous comments.

A foreigh nation could grrom somebody from childhood to become first an entertainer with an ultimate goal of entering politics to eventually get their finger on the button. This could become the ultimate means of foreig infiltration into the higest levels of OURgovernment.

IMO, amending the constitution in this fashion is tanamount to treason.

[PATRICK]

82. And they don't need to be children

They could come in at any age so long as the path to naturalization is open. Putting qualifying riders in to limit the abuse is dressing the corpse.

Of course people would not except any old foreigner otherwise the Senate would have some(though the more local the tougher it is) yet opening the floodgates would begin a media accommodation that the America Firsters could learn to hypocritically live with(since they need imports).

The media is already playing Arnold as one of the favorites, night and day. Most of their own popular choices are DOA or just plain dumb and terrible. This amendment change would encourage more media flexing of harmful power.

[Bread and Circus]

39. Fuck that....

That dude is too fuckin' stupid to be President.
Current President notwithstanding...

But watch these fuckin' idiot Republicans go and get it changed....then Watch Jennifer Granholm beat dipshit steroid boy's ass.

[Electile Dysfunction]

41. I want this changed...

And I dislike Ah-nold.

[arwalden]

43. If Someone Was Born To American Parents While Traveling Overseas...

would they be disqualified from becoming the president of the US?

-- Allen

[xxqqqzme]

60. yes - this question was

raised when goldwater ran 4 prez. He was born in the Arizona territory cuz it wasn't a state yet. There was a challenge, it failed. So a person from Guam, Puerto Rico or US Virgin Islands could run.

[arwalden]

67. Thank you...

-- Allen

[PATRICK]

84. Maybe I've watched more movies

An American parent confers citizenship on his or her natural offspring. They might thus have dual citizenship if they don't mind paying double taxes.

The last person to come up with so many exceptions is when Cheney fudged the amendment on residence of the president and Veep- and won because nobody wanted to enforce the spirit or the letter of the law.

[Dhalgren]

45. So Orrin Hatch is a

Schwarzenegger "ally", huh? I thing old "Oral" Hatch has something of a crush on the Groper. "He so damned hot, bare-chested!"

If we change the constitution to allow foriegn-born citizens to become president, do you think we could talk Chavez into relocating?

[DemBones DemBones]

46. Bad idea. Changing the Constitution is almost always a bad idea.

Ahnold is another Republican megalomaniac. (Say, is that an oxymoron?)

[praeclarus]

49. should all citizens have equal access?

Not that I necessarily agree with this and I definitely
do not agree with changing the constitution willy nilly
for political expediency as the gang in power seem all too
willing to do.

This sort of smells like the opening salvo in yet another
condition the populace routine.

All that being said, and considering that this is a nation
of immigrants, why shouldn't any citizen of this country,
regardless of where they were born, have all the same rights
as any other citizen? What was the rationale for this
requirement in the first place?

Thx..

edit: left out a word.

[Walt Starr]

51. Allowing foreign nationals who become citizens to become the president

opens up other nations to condition and groom persons from birth to become the president of the United States in order to exercise control over the Uninted States.

It is a treasonous move.

[praeclarus]

52. didn't Poppy do that right here at home? n/t

[geek tragedy]

53. The BFEE conditioned and groomed George W. Bush. eom

[praeclarus]

55. right. even better.... n/t

[Walt Starr]

59. and they are Americans, think of what a foreign nation could do!

:scared:

[mitchtv]

92. President Prince Bandar

vice pres/Sharon

[coalition_unwilling]

54. I could go along with it, but only if

The people of the world get to vote for U.S. President}(

[Jeff in Cincinnati]

56. Fine. We'll Compromise...

Foreign-born U.S. Citizens can be President.

Muscle-bound sexual predators, however, can't be governor.

[dolstein]

57. It's time to end discrimination against foreign-born citizens

Personally, I think it's pretty disgusting that so many so-called liberals are willing to embrace one of the most noxious and flagrantly discriminatory provisions of the U.S. Constitution simply to deny Arnold a shot at the White House.

This is discrimination, pure and simple. It should be obvious to everyone that if this provision weren't in the Constitution, the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment (which prohibits discrimination based on national origin) would clearly barr Congress from imposing such a requirement on presidential candidates.

[Walt Starr]

61. I oppose it not to keep the Gropinator from being president

I oppose it to keep somebody with loyalties to a foreign government from being president! IMO, even considering it is treasonous!

[PROGRESSIVE1]

62. I agree with you on this. Arnie should go back to the Septic Tank...

that he came from. That "Septic Tank" of course is Austria, the worse nation in the world.

[dolstein]

68. So Jennifer Granhold should go back to Canada, eh?

After all, we only want "real" Americans here, right? Isn't it ridiculous how the voters of Michigan were duped by a Canadian-born traitor posing as an American?

[PROGRESSIVE1]

70. I like Canada as I like most other nations. Austria is NOT one of them!

:eyes:

It is a horrible little backwards country. It does not deserve to be called a "First World" Nation.

Austria, like Saudi Arabia is one of the few bad ones out there.

[dolstein]

72. Ok, so you'd only exclude immigrants from countries you don't like

That makes me feel SOOOOOOOOO much better.

[dolstein]

66. Your argument based on irrational xenophobia isn't persuasive

If you bothered to do a little research, you'd find that many of the worst traitors in American history were native born Americans. And history is filled with countless exampled of immigrants who served their country with loyalty and distinction.

Apparently, you consider someone like Jennifer Granholm, who was born in Canada but moved to the United States at a very early age, to be a potential traitor, and therefore unfit to occupy the White House.

Sorry, but I you thought I'd consider bigotry against an entire class of Americans any more acceptable than bigotry against a particular individual, you'd be wrong.

[Walt Starr]

101. Yes, as a matter of fact I do

This is not bigotry, it is sound reasoning.

Sorry if it offends your sensibilities, but I support Article II., Section 1., Clause 5. of the constitution and will zealously defend it from repeal!

[TankLV]

94. In this case, discrimination is not a bad thing.

Personally, I think it's pretty disgusting that a few so-called democrats are willing to embrace one of the most noxious and flagrantly idiotic idea to come down the pike in a long time.

Funny how the repukes never bring up the submect when a progressive, liberal or left-leaning or socialist person would make a good president!

[fortyfeetunder]

63. WTF does Ah-nold really want?

I agree with another poster, the debate is OK but I don't think it should be for Mr. Ah-nold's benefit.

If Ah-nold is allowed to run for POTUS...what is he gonna want next, repeal of the two-term amendment?

Well the US is already recognized internationally as laughing stock for selecting *, we will be permanently recognized as a buffoon country if we let Ah-nold run and win POTUS.

[Endangered Specie]

65. Foreigners? maybe, dictators from Austria? no.

[qwlauren35]

69. I hope we NEVER, EVER do this.

Talk about opening ourselves up to a mole in power.

NO! I don't ever want a president in power who might possibly have equal loyalties to his or her birthplace and the US.

[Q3JR4]

71. I like the idea and would support it

if AS wasn't pushing it for his own political ambitions.

The option should be avaliable to a person born on foreign soil who has lived their entire life in this country, contributing their time, money, and energy to help this nation grow and prosper.

I like the idea of giving it a time frame for activation (i.e. 20 years) and then limiting the ability of these foreigners to run for president until they have been citizens for, say, 25 years.

You and I and the rest of the citizens of this nation would have a chance to voice any reservations we may have when we cast our votes.

[brentspeak]

74. Guy's been in office for a few months

and already he thinks he's entitled to become President of the United States.

[w4rma]

76. I would support this amendment when hell freezes over. (nt)

[dolstein]

78. Discrimination against immigrants -- now and forever!!

I certainly hope you are proud of yourself. What a country we live in -- where a native-born idiot like George Bush gets to be president, but a bright and gifted political leader like Jennifer Granholm is forever denied that opportunity simply because she spent the first few years of her life in Canada.

Sheesh, it's getting harder and harder to tell DU and Free Republik apart.

[JohnKleeb]

83. I agree with you totally on this one

If they can run for the governorship, senate, and house, and other positions, they should be able to run for president.

[sadiesworld]

95. Governors, senators and congressmen don't...

command the most dangerous arsenal of weapons known to man.

[JohnKleeb]

104. right but they are in a position of power

[sadiesworld]

106. Sure, they're in positions of power. So is my county clerk.

But she doesn't have the nuclear codes or command of the armed forces either.

[bogey18]

102. Absolutely

I have no problem with someone foreign born being allowed to run for president.

I have a huge problem with people who take Arnold seriously as a politician.

Hell, I have a huge problem with people who take him seriously as an actor!

[Bo]

77. Please shut the cheny up

Stupid steroid abusing actor

[NervousRex]

79. Oh..not again.

I'm not sure if changing the rule is a good idea or not, but c'mon this "debate" is ONLY taking place because Herr Sheissenesser is bored with Caleeeforneeah, and wants to fuck-up the entire country. Go grope yourself Ahhhnuld.

[jpgray]

80. Idiocy

This removes the middleman--now rather than buying our presidents, foreign countries can simply create them.

[JohnKleeb]

85. I know Arnold here is being ambitious but I think it should be

Maybe its part of my belief that first generation immigrants can be fully integrated in to society. After all, we have foreign born governors like Granholm, I am sure we have had foreign born people in the house and senate too. Let's say youre a first generation immigrant, you arrive to this country poor and hungry, you work hard to put yourself through school and later law school, you rise through the ranks in politics, eventually becoming governor or senator of your state, and a great politican at that too, I think you should be able to run for president. After all some of our greatest contributions to the nation have been foreign born. So while I think its obviously Arnie is being ambitious for himself, I think it would be fine if a foreign born person wanted to run.

[CO Liberal]

87. It Was Debated Over 200 Years Ago

By the framers of the Constitution. The answer was "No".

[TankLV]

89. No way - No how - Not ever.

But most especially because it is for this turd!

[sadiesworld]

93. What a hideous idea.

How long would one be required to have lived here prior to running? Two years? Five? Ten? AQ members plan things for years before executing. I'm sure they could find a charismatic guy, supply him w/ oodles of cash and ship him over. :puke:

[mark414]

97. no no no no no

i don't care if this guy was as great as paul wellstone or russ feingold

NO

[Kilroy003]

99. Let's do it!

I never planned on being pres since I was born in Europe to American parents. Hell, I may just have to go to college afterall!

[flaminbats]

100. I'm looking forward to Arnold speaking out at the Republican convention

"and I call on Americans to terminate ze constitution for me, Hasta la vista, baby.."

[nolabels]

103. Ho, Ho, Ho,..........they can't legally immigrate to the U.S. but.........

they might be able to serve as president