[Bruce Campbells Chin]

Which brings us back to the fundamental importance of Article II, and the question, "Can a dual citizen be a Natural Born Citizen?"

Yes. Doesn't that have to be the rule? Otherwise, we cede control over our own candidates to the laws of other countries.

Look, the eligibility of someone to be President must be based on our laws, not on the laws of another nation. Otherwise, you give other nations a veto power over who can run for President. Suppose Palin wins the nomination, and Iran passes a law declaring her an Iranian citizen. That makes her a dual citizen, and hence....ineligible?

The most you could do is make a so-called "dual citizen" ineligible if, under the citizenship laws of the U.S., that person could also be considered a citizen of another country. But you just can't have a "no dual citizen" law, or other nations will have a field day messing with us.

[Kenny Bunk]

I take your point about allowing another nation jurisdiction where no other nation belongs.

Perhaps what I should have used is a quote from senator Bingham

all other persons born within the
Republic, of parents owing allegiance to no other
sovereignty, are natural born citizens. Barak's Dad, Barak, Sr. definitely owed allegiance to the Crown, thence to Kenya. Helluva problem, this whole thing!

[rxsid]

"Which brings us back to the fundamental importance of Article II, and the question, "Can a dual citizen be a Natural Born Citizen?"

Yes. Doesn't that have to be the rule? Otherwise, we cede control over our own candidates to the laws of other countries.

Look, the eligibility of someone to be President must be based on our laws, not on the laws of another nation. Otherwise, you give other nations a veto power over who can run for President. Suppose Palin wins the nomination, and Iran passes a law declaring her an Iranian citizen. That makes her a dual citizen, and hence....ineligible?

The most you could do is make a so-called "dual citizen" ineligible if, under the citizenship laws of the U.S., that person could also be considered a citizen of another country. But you just can't have a "no dual citizen" law, or other nations will have a field day messing with us.

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A. Iran "making" citizens out of sovereign U.S. citizens would not be recognized internationally. Second, it definitely wouldn't be recognized in the U.S. Furthermore, following your line, the U.S. congress could then turn around and make everyone on the planet a U.S. citizen. Those scenarios are nonsense.

The "Natural Born Citizen" requirement for the Commander in Chief of the armed forces is, in part, a national security measure. No CinC born with multiple allegiances!