l. Child of citizen mother and citizen father, born in the United States. (natural born citizen)
2. Child of citizen mother and alien father, born in the United States. (Obama's case)
3. Child of alien mother and citizen father, born in the United States.
4. Child of citizen mother and citizen father, born outside the United States. (McCain's case)
5. Child of citizen mother and alien father, born outside the United States. (Cruz' case)
6. Child of alien mother and citizen father, born outside the United States. (discussed in the proviso of the Naturalization act of 1790)
7. Child of alien mother and alien father, born in the United States. (Anchor baby, questionable unless one supports birthright citizenship) (Jindal's and Rubio's case)
8. Child of alien mother and alien father, born outside the United States. (not a citizen until naturalized)
9. Child of unknown origin. (naturalized citizen)
The dichotomy argument is too narrow to have a full robust discussion of the matter. It needs to be expanded to encompass all eight scenarios within the context of the Preamble's intent to secure liberty for ourselves and our posterity.
In other words, which of the above nine babies would you want to be President someday?
Levin is apparently in one or both of two camps: 1) Any child of an American is a natural born citizen, and 2) no court will take up a "political" issue so it's a waste of time. Listening to him, my impression is that he really doesn't care about it unless you were foreign born to two non-citizens. He seems to take the negative logic approach: define what is clearly NOT a natural born citizen (like Arnold Schwarzenegger), and everyone else is.
-PJ
At least 3 of Trump’s kids fall under category 3. Just thought the NBC kooks would appreciate a fully fleshed-out chart.
Listening to him, my impression is that he really doesn't care about it unless you were foreign born to two non-citizens. He seems to take the negative logic approach: define what is clearly NOT a natural born citizen (like Arnold Schwarzenegger), and everyone else is.
Levin is a very smart, very educated man, and has a deep understanding of foundational American concepts (and their history), but on this one point, he's as out to sea as a typical lib.
It's maddening to hear someone I respect so much, give such short shrift to an issue that our recent history has proven beyond doubt, to be of the utmost importance.
You'd think the real-time object lesson of the Obama presidency would have shifted his thinking on the NBC issue, but apparently not. It's confounding as hell.
...which of the above nine babies would you want to be President someday?
Obviously, I, and any other thinking, patriotic person would pick:
l. Child of citizen mother and citizen father, born in the United States. (natural born citizen)