Posted on 04/21/2011 8:58:13 PM PDT by 2ndDivisionVet
HARRISBURG -- State legislation requiring presidential candidates to prove they are natural-born citizens is a political effort aimed at President Obama, a Philadelphia Democrat said today.
Rep. Babette Josephs, ranking Democrat on the House State Government Committee, said the bill by Rep. Daryl Metcalfe, R-Cranberry, the committee chairman, isn't needed since Obama says he is an American citizen and has produced documentation.
"I believe him myself," said Josephs, who as the chair last session blocked the bill from being considered.
Metcalfe has 28 co-sponsors for the bill he said was initiated "in light of the controversy regarding citizenship and public officials."
"I wouldn't say (the bill) is specifically in response to Obama," Metcalfe said Tuesday. The bill stems from the lack of documentation required for candidates, he said.
"Despite his (Metcalfe's disclaimers), it seems to me it is aimed at President Obama and his re-election effort," Josephs said. "I think it is very political in a negative sense."
Metcalfe's memo seeking co-sponsorship says presidential and vice presidential candidates would have to establish proof of "natural born citizenship," age and residency....
(Excerpt) Read more at pittsburghlive.com ...
Why the heck do you, Josephs, play the political fool by saying you believe a man who is widely known to be a incessant liar? That's not common sense. It's pure suckupism.
They could be challenged by a birther, on the grounds that the criteria established by law are incorrect, as a matter of law. Specifically, if the statute dos not require an inquiry in the citizenship of the parents, then the statute is lacking.
The suit would not be one of sufficiency of evidence, it would be a pure question of law.
There are arguments on the other side, about the principle of separation of powers, where it is up to Congress, and Congress alone to render a decision as to presidential qualification.
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