Schwarzenegger for president?

WorldNetDaily ^ | July 17, 2003 | WorldNetDaily.com

[Houmatt]

Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, says he did not do it for the "Terminator," but his proposed bill would allow foreign-born citizens such as actor Arnold Schwarzenegger to run for president of the United States.

"I believe the time has come to address the antiquated provision of the constitution that requires our president to be a natural-born citizen," said Hatch, according to the Herald News of Fall River, Mass. "It has long outlived its original purpose."

Hatch's bill, introduced last week, would allow anyone who has been a citizen of the United States for 20 years to run for the highest office.

The senator said it's "most disturbing" that "scores of foreign-born men and women who have risked their lives defending the freedoms and liberties of this great nation" are ineligible for the presidency, the Herald News reported.

Article II of the Constitution says, "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."

Some scholars believe the Founding Fathers' prohibition still makes sense.

Forrest McDonald, a retired history professor, noted the crafters of the Constitution were aware that 15 years before the nation's founding, foreign operatives from Russia, Prussia and Austria tried to influence Poland's monarchy in an attempt to carve up the country between them, the Associated Press said.

McDonald also doesn't like Austrian-born Schwarzenegger, who is considering a run for governor of California.

"I'm scared of the man," McDonald told the AP.

Hatch insisted the bill is strictly public policy, with no ties to any individual.

The House has a similar bill that would require a foreign-born citizen to wait 35 years before running for president.

Raimundo Delgado of New Bedford, Mass., said he has been pushing for such an amendment for more than two decades.

"This is a historical step," he told the Herald News.

"We might be able to see this change in my lifetime," said Delgado, who testified on the issue before a congressional subcommittee.

Last year he supported a bill by Rep. Barney Frank, D-Mass., that failed to make it through the House Judiciary Committee.

[Dr Warmoose]

This will make it easier for a military Chinese officer or an illegal alien from Mexico to be president.

Nothing like preparing in advance.

[OldFriend]

Heard George Will opining that we should change the constitution so Gennifer Granholm could become president.

Evidently the insanity in D.C. covers all political persuasions.

[Support Free Republic]

[RoughDobermann]

This will make it easier for a military Chinese officer or an illegal alien from Mexico to be president

Or someone like me, who immigrated in 1978.

[fishtank]

I think that if the US Constitution were hanging by a thread, and we needed an extraordinary individual to be President, then Senator Hatch would want the best person possible to ride a white horse to save the nation, whether or not that person was born in this country or in another country.

[xzins]

The foreign born should not be president for reasons of international financial and clandestine influence.

[Knightsofswing]

This would require a constional adment, which I will NOT support!

Sorry for the spelling.

[fishtank]

I was being sarcastic........especially about the white horse.

[RnMomof7]

I think that if the US Constitution were hanging by a thread, and we needed an extraordinary individual to be President, then Senator Hatch would want the best person possible to ride a white horse to save the nation, whether or not that person was born in this country or in another country.

Are you on your "White Horse "again? :>)

[onedoug]

Well, the Second Amendment's been legislated away. This is like chump-change.

[fishtank]

My heroes have always been cowboys........

and they still are it seems..........

[Rebelbase]

That almost has a treasonous ring to it.

[Dan from Michigan]

Hell no

If this passes, watch out for "President Granholm".

[Rebelbase]

Sorry, missed your sarcasm below.

[Fraulein]

Only natural born citizens should be eligible for the Presidency.

[fishtank]

I was was joking!!!!!!!!!!

I was being sarcastic!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[ricpic]

This will come too late for Henry Kissinger. Boo Hoo. What a loss.

[CyberAnt]

NO, NO, a thousand times - NO!!

[ImaGraftedBranch]

So, the Antichrist is born in the EU, immigrates, and runs for Prez. No, thanks.