If one does use Vattel 212 specifically - The natives, or natural-born citizens, are those born in the country, of parents who are citizens. - it seems that McCain couldn't be a natural born citizen.
Or are you contending that McCain was born in a military hospital despite evidence that he couldn't have been born in a military hospital as it wasn't even authorized to be built until after he was born.
...because there is not ONE definitive definition held outside law and time and space - immortal and immutable.
Well that seems to be the issue then, doesn't it.
Some would argue that Justice Waite did just that in Minor vs Happersett. You obviously don't agree as your past replies have indicated. Shall I provide a reminder?
Vattel 212 - indigenous or native citizens - translated after the Constitution to “natural born” - establishes the criteria - Vattel 217 shows how McCain fit the criteria because he could not be considered as anything other than born in country according to Vattel.
Another example going another way is English law - where the child of any parentage born under the authority of England was “natural born”. No translation needed for that one - they said “natural born” in the language and the law our founders were familiar with and the law our founders who were lawyers practiced under.
So where IS there an example of an authority establishing the concrete criteria you so desperately need that would render McCain ineligible?
Vattel’s criteria were not as concrete as you wish - he showed where someone born out of country would fit the criteria under the natural law concept that one serving his nation overseas has not “quit” his nation in the same way as someone who went overseas for his own interests.