[BP2]

At one point, the delegates writing the Constitution in 1787 considered THREE "presidents" in the Executive for "checks and balances." They ALSO considered a "Natural-born citizen" clause for Senators in the Constitution, as well. Debating those issues, they felt that a NBC clause for Senators would limit the pool of possible candidates, and MAY cause bad feelings with immigrants needed to "jump start" the newly-formed republic.

In the end, the Framers compromised that Senators be required to be US residents for 9 years, while striking the "Natural-born Citizens" clause for Senators. INCIDENTALLY, THIS SHOWS THAT THE FOUNDERS UNDERSTOOD THERE WAS A DIFFERENCE between Citizens and "Natural-born Citizens", and the implications both classes carry. In the end, it came down to NUMERICAL Checks & Balances within the Senate, eventually become 100 Senators that debate and vote for the nation's laws.

The Framers, concerned about power corrupting ONE man like King George III, also considered THREE "presidents" in the Executive branch. In the end of course, they compromised on ONE Executive. BUT to ensure internal "checks and balances," the Framers inserted in Art II, Sect. 1, Clause 5: "No person except a natural born Citizen, or a Citizen of the United States, at the time of the Adoption of this Constitution, shall be eligible to the Office of President..."

The NBC clause was NOT an accident, nor was it an inane rule to be restrictive to immigrants, and it certainly isn't just a "political" issue easily modified by a ever-changing Immigration policy ... undying, unwavering, and unquestionably LOYALTY to the US is the reason the NBC clause was inserted into the Constitution for the POTUS — because of limited numerical checks and balances in the Executive branch. They did not want Benedict Arnold-types that might gain power via foreign financial influence and then change his allegiance to another nation.

TO PUT IT INTO PERSPECTIVE:

We have NINE Justices sitting here (internal checks and balances):


We have a total of 535 Senators & Representatives sitting here (internal checks and balances):
and

BUT only ONE person sitting here (NO internal checks and balances):

THUS is the importance of "Natural-born citizen" as understood by our Founders, and the criticality in maintaining our Constitution within its intended framework — with all of the other "check and balances" intact.

[thecodont]

Thank you for this research. I hadn’t known that at one time the Framers wanted three chief executives. It makes sense that natural born citizen status was meant to serve as an internal check and balance on the chief executive.

[Lmo56]

At one point, the delegates writing the Constitution in 1787 considered THREE “presidents” in the Executive for “checks and balances.” They ALSO considered a “Natural-born citizen” clause for Senators in the Constitution, as well. Debating those issues, they felt that a NBC clause for Senators would limit the pool of possible candidates, and MAY cause bad feelings with immigrants needed to “jump start” the newly-formed republic.

***

GREAT POST !!!

You got a source for that info ???

[Non-Sequitur]

INCIDENTALLY, THIS SHOWS THAT THE FOUNDERS UNDERSTOOD THERE WAS A DIFFERENCE between Citizens and "Natural-born Citizens"

Well of course there is a difference. A citizen can be naturalized of natural-born.

BUT only ONE person sitting here (NO internal checks and balances)

The checks and balances are provided by the other two branches of government, as my seventh grade civics class taught me.

[Vendome]

Great post and illustrates there is in fact a definition of NBC.

I had considered writing regarding this but your post Exactly explains the construct of Constitutional requirements.

Thanks.

[little jeremiah]

Excellent - clear as a silver bell - BTTT - everyone should read this.