Any case to be made for Cruz’s ineligibility must clear impossibly high hurdles. The only definition for the term natural-born citizen I’ve seen put forward that Cruz would meet, and is intelligible (even if preposterous), is the following: Natural Born Citizen = Everyone other than someone born in a foreign country to parents who were foreigners. How would John Jay not be repulsed by such a definition, however high a regard he would have for Cruz’s patriotism and brilliance?
How would John Jay not be repulsed by such a definition, however high a regard he would have for Cruz’s patriotism and brilliance?
That's the sort of question that good Americans pray on for guidance. I think even the Framers themselves might.
Would they make an exception for such a stalwart patriot like Cruz? Or would they choose to stand by Clause 5 and seek another, more qualified candidate?
The question tears at the soul.