Will this ice the cake for his bid for Presidency?
McCain says its not an issue and cited a person, Barry Goldwater, who ran for the presidency in 1964, the case went all teh way to the Supreme Court and was ruled in his favor, and he feels that if challenged again it will once again go to the supreme court and be ruled in his favor.
But the rules state a person has to be a 'natural born citizen', and he was born in Panama Canal Zone.
Could this be what puts McCain out of the run for the white house.
fRom what I understand his campaign and not the DNC initiated this to make sure he was ok from a legal standpoint...
What do you think shoud we follow the constitution or follow past ruling from the Supreme court.
Mooch
[question posted by oneandonemakesix]responses and comments:
I believe that only a national of a nation should be allowed to run for president of a nation. People should be governed only by their own people. The question then becomes: Just who is a national? A national, by my definition is, one whose father is a national of a nation, or one whose biological father never claimed and/or provided for and whose unwed mother is a national - the daughter of a national. However, if the law of the USA says that only a "natural born citizen" can run for president of the US, then that law must be upheld. But, of course, we will then have to clarify or define "natural born citizen." [Netsbridge]
I am not a McCain supporter but I will say that he is a US citizen since he was born off like that because his dad was serving in the service. [tyc415]
I agree with your post and have been a Democrat a long time. I'm considering changing parties as not happy with Democrats this year. [Fishmomma]
Wow, how did that get past people? A president always had to be American born, and I see no reason to change it.. [carmelanirel]
Oh wow, then that is a fine line, so I have no idea.. [carmelanirel]
I think the last poster is correct, as his father was serving our country. This will very likely help him get elected quickly. I know i'm leaning towards changing parties this election. [Fishmomma]
BTW, my comment was meant for Taskr36, not the original poster who responded. [jerzgirl]
Well i've never really agreed with that rule anyway...he's a citizen, he can't help that his parents were in Panama when they gave birth to him. But if it is a rule to be president, I don't think it should be bent just for him. They SHOULD get rid of it though; as long as youre a citizen from birth (he is, he wasnt an alien and then took a citizenship test, hes a born citizen) you should be able to be president, irregardless of where your mom was when she gave birth to you. [rarrimalion]
He was born to American parents in a miltary setting. He is an American born citzen. No problem. I am sure that this would not hinder him in his run for the White House. [leeannmarie]
McCain was born to US citizen parents, so he was born a US citizen. [MntlWard]
I really can't see this going too far. I heard them talking about this on TV earlier and they mentioned how many Presidents it actually took us to get to one who had been born in the U.S., which makes sense of course, but this is just one of those flukey technicalities that shouldn't even be brought up. I'm far from a McCain supporter but I don't think this should disqualify him; I'll bet Huckabee's got his fingers crossed, though! Annie [anniepa]
IF he was born to legal US citizens, and IF they were in Panama on official business, he still qualifies as a natural born US citizen despite the fact that he was not born on US soil. This is childish behaviour throwing up stupid smoke screens to enhance the Democrat position and candidates. If it turns out that a Democratic candidate has done this, I would suggest that the American people are much smarter than that and might just reject the Democrats altogether. [BCMike]
I am NOT a citizen of the U S A. I am NOT interested in American Politics but RULES ARE RULES. It is very cut and dry in my understanding. YOU MUST FOLLOW THE CONSTITUTION. Again we have a perfect example of the GREEN DOLLAR. It is a shame , there is a law for the rich and another one for the poor. AMERICA this is not the way to go about it !! [CAMILLERI]
You are NOT a US citizen. You do NOT know our politics, you do NOT know our Constitution, and you do NOT know our rules. Here's a law lesson before you make more foolish statements about our political system and claim that he's getting preferential treatment for being rich or some other hogwash. There are numerous rules that qualify him as a natural born US citizen, but one is sufficient so please, read and be educated. http://www4.law.cornell.edu/uscode/html/uscode08/usc_sec_08_00001401----000-.html § 1401. (c)a person born outside of the United States and its outlying possessions of parents both of whom are citizens of the United States and one of whom has had a residence in the United States or one of its outlying possessions, prior to the birth of such person; [Taskr36]
That's ludicrous. If his parents were U.S. citizens serving abroad and he was born during that time, he is still a U.S. citizen. I was in the Marine Corps for more than 21 yrs and had two sons born during that time. I served in Japan and could easily have given birth there just as well as here in the states. You're damned straight my kids would have been U.S. citizens. [Ldyjarhead]
You're absolutely right. It's just a load of liberal crap from someone who has no respect for the men and women who serve this country. Any child born to a US citizen is a natural born US citizen. The fact that his father was serving this country only bolsters that fact. There are several lines in the US Code that describe this. http://www4.law.cornell.edu/uscode/html/uscode08/usc_sec_08_00001401----000-.html [Taskr36]
I think in this case he would be considered a US citizen by birth as his father was stationed outside of the US during his tour of duty. I believe this ruling for some US citizens not being eligible to run for president only applies to naturalized citizens. For example Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger could never run for president as he (like me) a naturalized citizen of the USA. [whiteheather39]
Mooooooch... I'm a little how would you say... suprised... McCain was born on a Naval Base outside the US which is US territory when it is occupied (like say Foreign Embassies, etc...). Even if he was NOT on US soil (which by my interpretation he was), his parents were both citizens of the US which makes him a citizen (not a naturalized citizen), but with him being born on a base I don't see where there is any problem at all. Thanks Zelo [zeloguy]
Usually in cases of people born abroad, the child qualifies as a natural born citizen if one or both of the parents are U.S. citizens and have been for a certain length of time (I believe for up to 5 years after the person's 14th birthday). McCain qualifies as a U.S. citizen, no 'ifs', 'ands', or 'buts' about it. [Latrivia]
Hello Oneandone, I am not a McCain fan. Though, this is about the lamest attack that I have ever heard in a Presidential election. John McCain was born on American soil, in Panama. His father and grandfather were both U.S. Naval Admirals. John McCain was born in the medical facility of a U.S. Military Base. Which means that there is no question that he is a naturalized U.S. Citizen. A military base is the legal equivolent of an embassy. [ladyluna]
If you are born to american parents of the military... you ARE a U.S. citizen.. period. What I wonder... is where Barrack HUSSEIN OBAMA was REALLY born. [dizzblnd]
Honolulu, Hawaii - US citizen, pure and simple. 1961 AFTER they became a state. No loopholes. Every right to run and as qualified as any other candidate - with possibly more class than all of them put together. [jerzgirl]
I do not know this story, but, I am speculating if he was born in the Panama Canal Zone - he was the child of an active duty American Military member. IF so - the bases are considered USA even if in another country. Though I do not want mccain for president nor any of the democratic runners - I have a feelign he is right that it won't hinder his chances. [Modestah]
wow so i guess Arnold Schwarzenegger will be running for president soon! i think we should follow the constitution! [mgmagana]
duh! it was a joke! [mgmagana]
If he was born in the Panama Canal because of his fater being stationed in another country he should be fine. If he was born on the base it's probably American soil anyway. Like all the embasies over sea. They are considered to be American soil. But I think it's one of the smallest reasons I feel he is not qualified to be our leader. All he knows is war. We don't need anymore war. We need to fix our economy. He hasn't the slightest clue how to do that. [nubsnovets]
You should be ashamed of yourself for even posting this garbage. It's insulting to the men and women who serve this country and it just shows how ignorant you truly are. Since you clearly don't know what a natural born US citizen is I'll post the entire description from the US code for you. There are 3 or 4 sections there that specifically apply to his status. Since he only needs to fill one of the criteria he is plenty natural born enough. He was born on US soil (military base), in US owned territory, to US born parents, with one parent who was honorably serving with the Armed Forces of the United States. People like you make me glad I'm a Republican. I know there are some good democrats out there, even if I don't agree with them politically, but people like you make your entire political party look bad. http://www4.law.cornell.edu/uscode/html/uscode08/usc_sec_08_00001401----000-.html TITLE 8 > CHAPTER 12 > SUBCHAPTER III > Part I > § 1401 Prev | Next § 1401. Nationals and citizens of United States at birth How Current is This? The following shall be nationals and citizens of the United States at birth: (a) a person born in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof; (b) a person born in the United States to a member of an Indian, Eskimo, Aleutian, or other aboriginal tribe: Provided, That the granting of citizenship under this subsection shall not in any manner impair or otherwise affect the right of such person to tribal or other property; (c) a person born outside of the United States and its outlying possessions of parents both of whom are citizens of the United States and one of whom has had a residence in the United States or one of its outlying possessions, prior to the birth of such person; (d) a person born outside of the United States and its outlying possessions of parents one of whom is a citizen of the United States who has been physically present in the United States or one of its outlying possessions for a continuous period of one year prior to the birth of such person, and the other of whom is a national, but not a citizen of the United States; (e) a person born in an outlying possession of the United States of parents one of whom is a citizen of the United States who has been physically present in the United States or one of its outlying possessions for a continuous period of one year at any time prior to the birth of such person; (f) a person of unknown parentage found in the United States while under the age of five years, until shown, prior to his attaining the age of twenty-one years, not to have been born in the United States; (g) a person born outside the geographical limits of the United States and its outlying possessions of parents one of whom is an alien, and the other a citizen of the United States who, prior to the birth of such person, was physically present in the United States or its outlying possessions for a period or periods totaling not less than five years, at least two of which were after attaining the age of fourteen years: Provided, That any periods of honorable service in the Armed Forces of the United States, or periods of employment with the United States Government or with an international organization as that term is defined in section 288 of title 22 by such citizen parent, or any periods during which such citizen parent is physically present abroad as the dependent unmarried son or daughter and a member of the household of a person (A) honorably serving with the Armed Forces of the United States, or (B) employed by the United States Government or an international organization as defined in section 288 of title 22, may be included in order to satisfy the physical-presence requirement of this paragraph. This proviso shall be applicable to persons born on or after December 24, 1952, to the same extent as if it had become effective in its present form on that date; and (h) a person born before noon (Eastern Standard Time) May 24, 1934, outside the limits and jurisdiction of the United States of an alien father and a mother who is a citizen of the United States who, prior to the birth of such person, had resided in the United States. [Taskr36]
The rule should state as it is, not given an exception for McCain. If Arnold could not become the president because he was born in Austria, then McCain could not become president if he were not born in the United Stats. Since he was born in the Panama Canal Zone this should put him out of the running. Serves the media right for wanting a Republican with the same views as Democrats. That will show them. [suspenseful]
Anyone whose parents were US citizens at the time he was born is a US citizen. His parents could have been on a pleasure cruise to Fiji and it wouldn't matter since they are US citizens. Read up on the US code if you'd like to learn more. http://www4.law.cornell.edu/uscode/html/uscode08/usc_sec_08_00001401----000-.html [Taskr36]
I don't think that it is an issue. He mom was an American citizen giving birth in Central America.I think the rule was put in place to make sure a person couldn't grow up in another country, come hear , become a citizen and then become president. [sarahruthbeth22]
He can't be president. He wasn't born here. The canal zone is NOT part of the U.S. Yes, he is a citizen, but not a naturally-born one. [Bd200789]
First of all, it's not likely to be held against him - it's not something I've even heard about until now, so it doesn't appear to be an issue to even the alternative media outlets I subscribe to. Secondly, if true, the Panama Canal Zone was US Territory at the time of his birth and, therefore, considered a part of the US and anyone born there would be Natural Born. Just like Guam, American Samoa, American Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico. Thirdly, to my knowledge, a child born to American citizen parents anywhere in the world would be considered "natural born" as long as the parents did not renounce or lose citizenship and returned to this country. I may be mistaken on this, but as many of our citizens as there are born abroad because of military, I can't imagine it would ever be held against them. [jerzgirl]
BTW - I'm not a McCain supporter. [jerzgirl]
How can a foreigner take the US interests in the world wide Scenariothumbdown [elshaddai123]
I don't understand that.Then how come Arnold S********* (however you spell it) can't run? [dfollin]
I saw that congress already has already voted to clear McCain of that hurdle. It doesn't really matter that much to me if he is born in the United States or Panama, he can still run for office. I just don't think he will become president, or even give Obama much of a race for that matter. [markss1975]