Thomas Jefferson Says Forget About Barack's Birth Certificate

Publius' Forum ^ | 12/09/08 | Warner Todd Huston

[Mobile Vulgus]

Well. I am sure that this is going to anger some of you. But, I have to say it anyway…

OK, I have basically stayed silent about this whole Obama birth certificate dust up until now because I have been trying to resolve the dichotomy in my mind between being a Constitutional constructionist and a pragmatist. But, at long last I have realized that the two really aren't as much at odds as it might seem. In fact, I found my answer in the words of Thomas Jefferson -- as well as Madison, Franklin and a few others, but we'll stick with Jefferson quotes for the sake of a sharply focused discussion.

I have discovered that Thomas Jefferson has already told us upon which side we as conservatives should descend over the question concerning Barack Obama's birth certificate and his eligibility for the office of president of the United States. Mister Jefferson would tell you all to shut up, accept cruel fate, and get ready to claim Barack Obama as the 44th president of the United States of America.

That's right, forget about it. Move on. Nothing to see here.

Before you get your Constitutional shorts in a bunch, I absolutely agree with you that we are a nation of laws and not men. Jefferson did too, once saying that we must consider what the original intent of the Constitution was before we rush into a decision and the original intent in this case was clearly to make sure every president was a natural born citizen of this country before being eligible to run for that highest of offices. ("The Constitution on which our Union rests, shall be administered ... according to the safe and honest meaning contemplated by the plain understanding of the people of the United States at the time of its adoption -- a meaning to be found in the explanations of those who advocated [for it]..."-- Thomas Jefferson)

The simple reason that the founders wanted the president to be a natural born citizen was because they were keen students of history. The phrase "let history be our guide" was not just a trope. The founders knew well the many instances when a foreign ruler had entered a country and, using that country's own laws and customs, immorally proclaimed himself the ruler of a subjugated nation. The founders wanted to prevent that possibility and also wanted to make sure that there were no divided loyalties in an American president, that the welfare of the USA would be first and foremost in the mind of anyone elected to that office. What better way than to preclude the foreign born?

So, yes, the proscriptions against the foreign born candidate are important and should not be cast aside. We should never knowingly present a candidate not born as a citizen of the U.S. Further, we should take pains to verify the provenance of every candidate's claim to natural citizenship.

But... and you knew the “but” was coming. There is an original intent that rises above the Constitution itself. In fact, there are a few, but one in particular comes to bear here...

Read the rest at Publiusforum.com...

[Mobile Vulgus]

Well, this isn't the favorite position to take on THIS site, for sure. But, it has well reasoned points to make that I don;t think we should forget about so fast.

[TribalPrincess2U]

This paragraph is the only thing I care about...

The simple reason that the founders wanted the president to be a natural born citizen was because they were keen students of history. The phrase “let history be our guide” was not just a trope. The founders knew well the many instances when a foreign ruler had entered a country and, using that country’s own laws and customs, immorally proclaimed himself the ruler of a subjugated nation. The founders wanted to prevent that possibility and also wanted to make sure that there were no divided loyalties in an American president, that the welfare of the USA would be first and foremost in the mind of anyone elected to that office. What better way than to preclude the foreign born?

[Sudetenland]

I support following the letter of the law, not the spirit...especially if it prevents AHnold Swartzenegger from ever becoming president.

[LiberConservative]

Of course, Obama’s foreign birth, if it comes to be true, will undermine his presidency. But better to have a single president’s legitimacy undermined due to his actions than to undermine the entire electoral process. It should be noted that Nixon understood this point well. In 1960 it was pretty clear that the Kennedy’s stole the election in Chicago and that LBJ stole it in Texas in order to put Kennedy into the White House. Nixon could easily and legitimately have contested that election. But Nixon did not dispute the 1960 election so as not to undermine the entire system. He felt the will of the people had been heard and for the good of the nation it should stand. So, while the Constitution is mighty important, the will of the people is supreme. And the will of the people has been clearly heard in this case. The vote was not close. Barack Obama won, fair and square in the minds of the electorate.

Excellent point. Do we need race riots now? 0bama won. Let's move along. Let America face her consequences.

[webschooner]

All that “Deer Leeder” has released is a FRAUDULENT COLB”.

Not one of us can: Get a Driver’s License, Get a passport, apply for a loan, and a multitude of other activities with such a document as OBammy has presented.

And we should look the other way, and just shut up while this clown becomes president?

This clown is not Royalty, and he’s not going to be King if he is sworn in, even if he thinks he is, so I for one, am not shutting up about this.

[xmission]

I’d have to saw off the top of may head to make that work in my mind.

[pgkdan]

Believe me, I don’t want this clearly socialist man as our president. I think he will do us some damage. I want his policies stifled as much as you do. So, let us oppose this man certainly. But let us do it manfully and in the spirit of our most cherished ideal. And let us plan for 2010 and 2012.

Amen! This bc nonsense is a stupid waste of time. 0's election reflects the will of the people. A stupid, uneducated and functionally illiterate majority of us...but a majority none the less. We need to stand up to 0 and oppose him at every turn...and prepare for 2010 and 2012.

[autumnraine]

Well, I say the “intent” behind “the pursuit of happiness” means I can have my rent paid while playing Xbox all day.

Which is exactly why we don’t use “intent” in law. We use specific wording.

[stuartcr]

So it’s the people that ultimately has the last say...not the Constitution that was written for the people??!!!

[cripplecreek]

Uh, no.

[Wonder Warthog]

Publius is an idiot. Indeed, the sovereign people ARE the ultimate authority, but the way their authority was to be undertaken was by means of the processes defined in the Constitution. The “natural born” citizenship requirement is part of the Constitution, and what the Founding Fathers would say is that if “the people” wanted the provision removed, the Constitution should be amended to remove it. And THAT takes the passage of such an amendment by majority vote of both houses of Congress, and approval of three-quarters of the state legislatures. Changing the Constitution by a simple majority vote of a nation-wide plebescite was NEVER intended.

[Technical Editor]

Total, unadulterated hogwash!!

Balderdash!

Baloney!

Translation: Man, are you wrong!!!

[Canedawg]

The people who would engage in race riots dont care what the Constitution says.

This country shouldnt use their threats of burnin and lootin as a barometer of what approach to take.

That is operating from fear- whatever happened to this nation being the home of the brave?

[oblomov]

>> have discovered that Thomas Jefferson has already told us upon which side we as conservatives should descend

Jefferson was a conservative?

[Doogle]

Thomas Jefferson didn't know about untraceable prepaid credit cards electing a socialist nobody either....that what we all figured, that Political Correctness would rule over common sense,the constitution, and the SCOTUS.

[autumnraine]

“The constitutions of most of our States assert that all power is inherent in the people; that they may exercise it by themselves in all cases to which they think themselves competent (as in electing their functionaries executive and legislative, and deciding by a jury of themselves in all judiciary cases in which any fact is involved), or they may act by representatives, freely and equally chosen; that it is their right and duty to be at all times armed; that they are entitled to freedom of person, freedom of religion, freedom of property, and freedom of the press.”

I think by this he would mean that the people KNEW AND UNDERSTOOD that the elected official was not a NON natural born citizen.

Where is the part by Thomas Jefferson that he concedes it is ok if the 'people' are bamboozled?

[GWMcClintock]

” But Nixon did not dispute the 1960 election so as not to undermine the entire system. He felt the will of the people had been heard and for the good of the nation it should stand.”

Only conservatives could understand this statement. I note here that Nixon DID go on to become president eventually. May God grant us the ability to survive the next 4 years!

[Northern Yankee]

I heard yesterday that we should stop worrying about these technicalities because the people decided.

There's something deeply wrong about that whole concept. We used to be a nation of laws and morals. I guess not anymore to many out there. If Barrack would release his birth certificate then this would all be cleared up.

The deceit and withholding of records is very unseemly.

[Corin Stormhands]

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[RummyChick]

Two words. Electoral College. Can overrule the will of the people. Why was that put in if the will of the people was more important than a foreigner being elected President.