Of what use then, the endless speculation of those not empowered to explicitly explain ArtII, among them myself and all other FReepers not presently cashing SCOTUS paychecks?
Exegesis of the COTUS on eligibility is a worthwhile pastime for us all. However, the word that will bind us all must come from the SCOTUS, ruling on eligibility appeals that come before it by those unsatisfied with the rulings of lower courts. Many such an appeal has wended its weary way to arrive before this august bench, only to be preemptorily thrown out on some quite remarkably shabby legal pretexts and, in the frank admission of various SCOTUS Justices, just plain avoided, dodged, shirked, ignored, and otherwise turned away by either the Justices of themselves or by the bureaucracy of the court and its clerks.
Learned and dedicated FReepers knowledgeably bandy about dicta, rulings, State Department Rules, Laws, INS Regulations, etc. Marvelous. But having little to do with the real questions: "Was Barack Hussein Obama II (or Jr.) eligible to run for President?" "Is Ted Cruz a 'natural born Citizen'?" "How about that Rubio guy?" "Jindal: yes or no?"
Now, this has nothing to do with removing anyone from office. This has to do with who is eligible to run for office. If Barry was ineligible, that's one thing. The fact that he is a sitting President is another. That means that now only Congress can remove him. Since the ruling of the SCOTUS is not binding upon them in this matter, that would actually depend upon whether or not they felt like it.
Out of 300 million Americans, perhaps about 50 Million would really like the eligibility questions answered. That should be enough. SCOTUS must, must I say, clear this confusion away. Be nice if it were before the next Presidential Election, or Civil War.
OBTW, The SCOTUS failure to act is a national disgrace and actually a fitting marker for the beginning of the end of the Republic.
FWIW, and I would bet my life on this, SCOTUS will never ever take up the issue of the eligibility of an elected President on the issue of whether or not he or she is a Natural Born Citizen.
And FWIW, the Supreme Court has no Constitutional authority to make a ruling. The only body that is Constitutionally delegated to determine the eligibility of the President under any Clause in the Constitution is Congress. If they certify the election, then that is the end of the discussion.
This issue is a distraction.
"Precedent" and Repetition hold too firm of a grip upon the legal system and those others among us who possess simple minds.
We are in decline.