Posted on 10/31/2004 7:54:11 PM PST by Stew Padasso
Schwarzenegger Talks White House What-Ifs
Associated Press
LOS ANGELES - Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger says he would be interested in running for president if the Constitution were amended to allow foreign-born citizens to seek the nation's highest office.
During an interview for Sunday's CBS program "60 Minutes," Schwarzenegger said, "Yes, absolutely" when asked if he would like to run and would support such an amendment.
Schwarzenegger, 57, had previously deflected the question.
"I think, you know, because why not? I mean, you know, anyone with my way of thinking, you always shoot for the top," the governor said. "But it's not something that I am preoccupied with.
"I am not thinking one single minute about that because there's so many things I have to do in California, and my promise was to straighten out the mess in California," he said.
Schwarzenegger, a native of Austria, came to the United States in 1968 and built a fortune as a champion body builder and actor. He won his first bid for public office in last year's gubernatorial recall election in California.
Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, has proposed an amendment that would allow immigrants to run for president after being citizens for 20 years. Schwarzenegger became a citizen in 1983.
Don't even think about it, Arnie. If you think we're going to sit down and allow the Constitution to be altered so a foreign national can run for office, you're sadly mistaken.
Mark my words.
Ah,... No,Terminator.
Come 'on dawg
Well, I may agree with you that it is stupid to amend the constitution in such a way.
But in Arnold's defense, what would you have said in his position? "No, I don't think about it. Ever. I wouldn't want to be President if that amendment passed."?
Heck, if someone asked me that question I'd say the same thing. "Hey, Dude, you want to be President?"
I'd say, "Uh, sure."
Yeah, lets change the constitution and let foreign born citizens run for president. Then when someone like Zarquawi moves here, lays low for twenty or so years, and runs for president, he just may win and hand over our sovereignty to a group like the U.N.
The previous scenario is exactly why it should not ever happen. I wasn't even born in Scotland (born here). But being ethnically Scottish gives me a great amount of bias toward Scotland and their people. Just think how I would feel if I were born there became president and could affect foreign policy in their favor to the degredation of this country. Thanks to the founding fathers for their forsight.
I am a naturalized citizen and I am totally against it
While at this point it is a distant possibility, suppose it came down to Hillary vs. Arnold.............................................................................................................................................for whom would you vote. Period?
ding, ding, ding....I'm with you...no F'ng way!
Yeah, but Hatch is only carrying Arnold's water. He's obviously "star-struck". Imagine doing away with 228 years of Constitutional law for 4 to 8 years of a new Arnold flick.
"Ninety-five percent of the people in the world need to be told what to do and how to behave."
There are some from California where this is completely true.
What is Hillary to FReepers anyway, the bogeyman? She's invoked more than 9-11 around here. Besides (and not to offend), that was a silly straw-man argument, don't you think? "Shouldn't we change the Constitution so Arnold can run in order to stop Hillary?"
He's not the first Austrian expatriate politicians to espouse that view.
He's a great actor and probably a great Governor for the loonies in California but not a good presidential candidate.
You're just jealous because he's in power and crushed all challengers.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.