Mark Levin Addresses Ted Cruz Eligibility Issue posed by Ridgewood, NJ Man at Book Signing

Mark Levin: Before we jump in, all I can say is, Wow! You guys, open your microphones a second. Thousands of people at both booksignings. Wasn’t that unbelievable?

Mark Levin: And the people were just spectacular, weren’t they? Except for one guy in New Jersey which I’ll talk about later.

Mark Levin: This… this birther stuff is way, way out of contr…”Now Ted Cruz” … I swear I almost hit this guy… “Ted Cruz is not a citizen!” No, he’s born to an American mother, no he’s born in Canada to an American mother. So all you pregnant ladies travelling overseas: According to certain birther, uh, groups, if you have a child while you are on vacation, they’re not Americans. They’re not natural-born Americans. I just thought you’d wanna know, if you were thinking of your kid as a potential presidential candidate, uh, because they say so. They have no historical background whatsoever… None! But it’s, it’s just amazing! Absolutely stunning! But we had so many wonderful people, and let me add, all races, both genders… I don’t know the sexual preferences, that wasn’t a requirement to say hello…young people, elderly, middle age people. A particularly young crowd, yeah, we had dogs come too, everybody so well behaved, and uh, it was a pleasure. In New York, we were there about four-and-a-half hours, in New Jersey about five, five-and-a-half hours, and I wanted to be respectful to everybody, so… I just want to thank you all, and this Saturday, Tyson’s Corner, Virginia, at Barnes and Noble. I should add, if you want to see the crowd that was at New York, Mr. Producer went down the line, and this was early on, this, this line kept growing and growing throughout the day…you can go look at uh MarkLevinShow.com on our website, as well as the social sites MarkLevinShow Facebook, MarkLevinShow Twitter. Um, Christians, Coptic Christians are being wiped out in Egypt. Their churches are being burned to the ground….

Steve: Oh, I got a great story for you, I loved your uh, Hannity special, I enjoyed it very much, I listened to it three times over the weekend…

Steve: …I got my wife, I got my wife to tape for me, or TIVO it, and she watched it. And she really enjoyed it. She’s not big on politics or anything, and she gets sick of hearing me talk about it, but it was funny ‘cause she said “He is so calm, Steve.” He was, she was trying to do a little wifey/husband training? And…

Steve: she said “He is so calm, and he gets his point across. He didn’t raise his voice, or get upset…

Steve: …and I laughed so hard. I said “How do you, uh, where do you think I learned how to yell?” [laughs] “I just listen to Mark.” And she knows you’re my hero, I go around quotin’ ya, and tellin’ everybody to listen to ya, and…

Steve: she just … to get me to calm down a little, and I said you just need to listen to Mark. [laughs]

Mark Levin: Well, thank you, uh…well listen, you know what, this is called passion, just remind her it’s passion, you know, and um…what was truly exceptional about the Hannity program, number one, the man has enormous class and decency, and number two, he was asking me questions because he wanted me to inform the public about what I’d written, and to engage the studio audience. And notice we didn’t have a bunch of left-wing bomb throwers just yelling and talking over people. There were conversations actually occurring, did you notice that?

Steve: Yes, there was no crazy, I mean a lot of times he’s got the left wingers on there, and it’s just, kind, it’s almost funny to watch, but that was so interesting and…and it didn’t get me upset, and it just, I just wanted to listen to it over and over and absorb every second of it, and every bit of information, it…it’s just brilliant, Mark, I, you know I hope when um…we’ve got President Cruz, he has the wisdom to make you his chief of staff or vice-president.

Mark Levin: No, no no no no no. And he’s got a great chief of staff, by the way. No, I…I do what I do, and uh, and he will do a great job should he be president. Thank you for your call my friend. And uh, I’m so sick of these birthers. I was going to tell you about this, uh, incident. Just a wonderful group of people, uh, we were in Bookends, Ridgewood, New Jersey, and everyone was respectful until…and it was hot outside, it got hot, hotter than uh originally forecast and it was a very long line, and you know we try to go through it quickly out of respect for everybody in line, but I also try to be respectful to everybody in line. Um…but this fella [breathes out] gets in my face and first of all he points to some obscure note on page I don’t know whatever and he said [cough] excuse me folks, and he says “You were wrong about this, you were wrong about”, and honestly I, I, I didn’t have time to read it, and I’ll go back and check it, if I’m wrong about it I’ll fix it, and that happens sometimes in these books when you’re going into the notes, you might put a word when you mean another word, or a state when you mean another state, so I’m going to check it out, I just haven’t had time. And then he goes, he says uh “And Ted Cruz is not eligible to be president. He’s not a natural-born Citizen.” And I thought to myself, you know I, this is not a subject that I have studied so thoroughly, but he’s born of a mother who is an American citizen. Doesn’t that make him a natural-born Ci… “No, but he was in Canada when he was born!” Okay, but she wasn’t Canadian, she was an American citizen! She was an American citizen. And so, the issue isn’t what the Constitution says in that regard, the issue is how do we interpret that. And the way I interpret it is, his mother’s an American citizen, so he’s an American citizen! That’s not a constitutional issue, that’s an interpretive issue… or, a statutory issue if Congress has passed some law subsequent to that to enforce that provision of the Constitution. So, the face of the Constitution isn’t terribly helpful. If he was born of non-citizens in a foreign country that would be easy, and there’s a lot of easy cases. So the guy gets in my face, and he starts pointing and pointing, and I looked at him and I pointed back, and I cursed, unfortunately, but the, because, uh you know, he was…he was a nutjob. And I thought to myself: Why do you come here and do that? Is this, is this sort of the way you…you excite yourself or something? No. So, I just want you folks to know who like Ted Cruz. I…I assume they’re going to do this to Rubio, or some of these other people too, whether you like ‘em or not for president I’m just making a point, but now this has become an entire industry. And of course [chuckles] Ted Cruz [laughs], he immediately issued today or yesterday his long form birth certificate. Now, some of this is probably coming from the left. So now they’re the birthers. But some of it’s coming from others, too. People just get obsessed, or conspiratorial, and there’s no end to it, on a matter like this, and there’s nothing I can say or point to that’s going to change their mind. But in my view there’s no doubt about it that he’s eligible for president, should he choose to run, just as I believe McCain was eligible for president, when he ran. So…that’s my opinion! You may not like it… But what particularly bothered me about this guy…he was disrespectful in his conduct to everybody else standing there. They were pleasant, talking to each other, you know…listening, watching and so forth. I’m a big boy; I’ve seen this and a thousand times worse. But he was quite obnoxious. He’s the only one…oh no there was another guy, had a prob, wha wha, he what…he had a problem, he was screaming upstairs, I don’t know what he was screamin’ about. It was kind of eventful there in New Jersey. No, there wasn’t anything like that in New York, was there boys? [Staff: No. Peaceful in ji…you know in Long Island] It was peaceful on Long Island! [chuckles] But is was peaceful in New Jersey, too. It really, really was. It was just terrific. If you could have seen that line, well, actually you can. We have the uh video, and this is just the start of the day with the line. It got longer and longer at uh… at Book Review in Long Island if you want to take a look on MarkLevinShow.com or MarkLevi…oh there is now? The…the New Jersey line? Okay. Both lines. On MarkLevinShow.com, are they both on the social sites too? Or…just the Long Island. But we’ll put the other one up later so some of you can see yourselves, too. Alright. GoldLine!

(further information and videos at: http://queenofliberty.com/2013/08/14/mark-levin-rolls-out-his-new-book/)

What I’m talking about is the pejorative “birther”

Well, I've used the term birther, but not in a pejorative sense. It's just a descriptive term.

What I really want to know is why your side is so strongly pushing someone whose eligibility is so questionable.

Ted Cruz brings to the table some unique qualities. He's very intelligent, he's very articulate and he isn't intimidated by either the MSM or by any need to be loved by everyone. He's one of a kind and I don't think you'll find an adequate substitute for him.

Those birthers who claimed that Obama was born in Kenya or that his father was a British citizen or that it is impossible to identify his "real" parents promised that the revelations would injure Obama's candidacy. Well, Obama was twice elected and he appeared to be using the birther claims for his own advantage.

Most people that I know intuitively believe that someone who is born a citizen of the U.S. is a natural born citizen of the U.S. Most people have never heard of Grotius or Vattel. Most don't even speak French. Most would not be inclined to submit to the notion that we as Americans must look to foreign books written before our country was even formed for guidance as to whom we may or may not select to be our presidents.

Maybe you could elaborate on your fears. Why do you feel that Cruz is less eligible than Obama? How might a Cruz candidacy be derailed by the fact that there are a few folks who adhere to these old European citizenship theories? Are you afraid that some court might attempt to disqualify Cruz? Specifically, what are you worried about?

As usual, when you get called, you resort to belittling and marginalizing. If you forgot what I wrote, I’ll forgive you since it was last night and we’ve all had a lot to think about since then.

But, just a reminder, the lesser of two evils is trying to decide to violate my oath to obey the Constitution, or vote to keep a democrat out of office. That would apply to Cruz (eligible?) as it did to Romney (senor plastic), Bush (can’t put 3 words together to make sense, the patriot act, etc.), McCain (sheesh), Dole, Bush Sr., Ford and Nixon, and anyone else I forgot.)

I thank you for your advice to not vote again. But, since it’s given by someone who believes the following, I’ll pass on it:

Born to American father and foreign national mother in a foreign country = natural born American citizen (not a dual citizen or citizen by statute)

Born to American father and foreign national mother in a foreign country on US Military base = natural born American citizen (not a dual citizen or citizen by statute)

Born to American father and foreign national mother in a foreign country in a US Embassy or consulate = natural born American citizen (not a dual citizen or citizen by statute)(this may actually be correct, since Embassys and consulates are considered American territory)

Born to American mother and foreign national father in a foreign country = natural born American citizen (not a dual citizen or citizen by statute)

Born to American mother and foreign national father in a foreign country on Military base = natural born American citizen (not a dual citizen or citizen by statute)

Born to American mother and foreign national father in a foreign country in a US Embassy or consulate = natural born American citizen (not a dual citizen or citizen by statute)

Born to American father and American mother in a foreign country = natural born American citizen (not a dual citizen or citizen by statute)

Born to American father and American mother in a foreign country on Military base = natural born American citizen (not a dual citizen or citizen by statute)

Born to American father and American mother in a foreign country in a US Embassy or consulate = natural born American citizen (not a dual citizen or citizen by statute)

Born to resident alien foreign national father and American mother in America = natural born American citizen but not a citizen of father’s country (i.e. not a dual citizen)

Born to resident alien foreign national mother and American father in America = natural born American citizen but not a citizen of mother’s country (i.e. not a dual citizen)

Born to resident alien foreign national father and resident alien foreign national mother in America = natural born American citizen but not a citizen of father’s and mother’s country(ies) (as they may be from different foreign countries) (i.e. not a foreign citizen, dual citizen or triple citizen)

Born to illegal alien foreign national father and American mother in America = natural born American citizen but not a citizen of father’s country (i.e. not a dual citizen)

Born to illegal alien foreign national mother and American father in America = natural born American citizen but not a citizen of mother’s country (i.e. not a dual citizen)

Born to illegal alien foreign national father and illegal alien foreign national mother in America = natural born American citizen but not a citizen of father’s and mother’s country(ies) (as they may be from different foreign countries) (i.e. not a foreign citizen (not subject to American jurisdiction) or dual citizen or triple citizen)

Natural born citizen = born citizen = naturalized citizen = dual citizen = triple citizen?

Or, to put it in the parlance the Founders would understand, their “obvious” intent would have been that:

Born to American father and British mother in Britain = natural born American citizen (not a dual citizen or citizen by statute or natural born subject)

Born to American father and British mother in Britain on US Military base (if there was such a thing) = natural born American citizen (not a dual citizen or citizen by statute or natural born subject)

Born to American father and British mother in Britain in a US Embassy or consulate = natural born American citizen (not a dual citizen or citizen by statute or natural born subject)

Born to American mother and British father in Britain = natural born American citizen (not a dual citizen or citizen by statute or natural born subject)

Born to American mother and British father in Britain on Military base (if there was such a thing) = natural born American citizen (not a dual citizen or citizen by statute or natural born subject)

Born to civilian American mother and British father in Britain in a US Embassy or consulate = natural born American citizen (not a dual citizen or citizen by statute or a natural born subject)

Born to American father and American mother in Britain = natural born American citizen (not a dual citizen or citizen by statute, or natural born subject)

Born to American father and American mother in Britain on Military base = natural born American citizen (not a dual citizen or citizen by statute or natural born subject)

Born to civilian American father and American mother in Britain in a US Embassy or consulate = natural born American citizen (not a dual citizen or citizen by statute or natural born subject)

Born to resident alien British father and American mother in America = natural born American citizen but not a citizen of father’s country (i.e. not a dual citizen or natural born subject)

Born to resident alien British mother and American father in America = natural born American citizen but not a citizen of mother’s country (i.e. not a dual citizen or natural born subject)

Born to resident alien British father and resident alien British mother in America = natural born American citizen but not a citizen of father’s and mother’s country(ies) (as they may be from different foreign countries - England, Scotland, Wales, etc.) (i.e., not a foreign citizen, dual citizen or triple citizen or natural born subject)

Born to illegal alien British father and American mother in America = natural born American citizen but not a citizen of father’s country (i.e. not a dual citizen or natural born subject)

Born to illegal alien British mother and American father in America = natural born American citizen but not a citizen of mother’s country (i.e. not a dual citizen or natural born subject)

Born to illegal alien British father and illegal alien British mother in America = natural born American citizen but not a citizen of father’s and mother’s country(ies) (as they may be from different foreign countries - England, Scotland, Wales, etc.) (i.e., not a foreign citizen (not subject to American jurisdiction) or dual citizen or triple citizen or natural born subject)

Natural born citizen = born citizen = naturalized citizen = dual citizen = triple citizen = natural born subject?

The crux of the issue — the requirement for the President to be a natural-born citizen — is that he (or she) have no allegiance to any other country. Neither parent being at the time of birth a citizen of another country, not born in another country, not self-identifying as a foreign student to slip into an ivy-league school, and also not accepting any honorary or dual citizenship of another country.

As much as I appreciate and respect Ted Cruz, I do not believe he meets the requirement. However, I will vote for him if the alternative is any Democrat.... for the good of the country.

Since I agree with that latter sentiment, I have to have a slightly different view of the bolded part of the first one.
The Framers’ desire was that only people (men, at the time) whose allegiance was to the Constititution and the people of the United States should ever be president. The Natural Born Citizen requirement is merely the best proxy they could come up with for that. Thus, if Obama, with his contempt for people who wouldn’t look like his imaginary son and his arbitrary refusal to “see that the law be faithfully enforced," meets the “Natural Born Citizen” requirement, that is a mere technicality. And if a Ted Cruze, with his patent devotion to the Constitution, does not meet the NBC criterion, that is also a technicality. Which can be brushed aside as easily as Obama brushes aside the provisions of his own signature law. Or as easily as someone moves his voting registration from Texas back to his native state of Wyoming in order to qualify to run as VP on the same ticket as the governor of Texas.
But in a nation of 300 million people there really ought to be someone who meets the strictest NBC test and can be relied on to be sincere when pledging to defend the Constitution. And of course there is - Clarence Thomas. But we can’t spare the man, where he is. But Sarah Palin passes with flying colors . . .

Whoa! You have really got yourself tangled up in this stuff. Please understand that you are choosing to adopt the positions that you are adopting. None of this is compelled.

For example, there is nothing that compels you to view "dual citizenship" as relevant to a NBC status. You are not compelled to believe that an American citizen's eligibility to be president should depend on whether some foreign government chooses or doesn't choose to view the candidate as one of its citizens as well. Americans are not bound to consider the rules of some other government when choosing our presidents. Why do you think foreign governments should be permitted to manipulate our presidential selection by their decisions to view or not view our candidates as citizens of their countries? We have no control over how other countries choose to view our citizens.

Second, there is nothing that compels you to allow some eighteenth century Swiss philosopher to deter you from interpreting "natural born citizen" in the way most people living now and most people living at the time of our founding would have interpreted it. "Citizen at birth" is a common-sense construction for the the term "natural born citizen" - a construction that is much more natural for ordinary citizens. There is nothing that compels us to allow Vattel to define for us the pool of our eligible presidential candidates.

The obvious purpose of the NBC clause (coupled with the residency requirement) is to ensure that a president is selected from a pool of candidates who all have strong political connections to the United States by heritage and by personal experience (residence). Coupled with the residence requirement, a requirement that a candidate be a "citizen by birth" is more than adequate to protect us from strangers. The obvious purpose of the provision is to prevent the election of Prince Charles. It is not to disqualify the candidacy of an American like Ted Cruz.

You are of course free to choose what you wish to believe, but there is nothing about any of this that compels the choices you are making.

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