The best definition of natural born I've seen

The Federalist Blog ^ | November 18, 2008 | P.A. Madison

[Texas_shutterbug]

"That is in fact the point of the lesson ... because Barack Obama by his own admission had British citizenship at birth that his father registered for him, Barack Obama could not be an American citizen naturalized until his British citizenship expired. "

But a parent cannot refuse citizenship for his minor child, so Obama would still be an American citizen by birth to an American citizen - his mother.

[MHGinTN]

When Barack was born, Stanley Ann was eighteen, not quite old enough to p[ass her citizenship to him ... relative only if he was born on foreign soil, but the British citizenship of his father is relative regardless of where the littel squirrel was born. That divided loyalty is precisely what the framers were seeking to prevent in a POTUS.

[The Watcher]

The Senate has no real authority on that matter... they were just hoping to set precedent.

I think a reasonable case can be made (not sure how strong, just a reasonable one) that McCain was born subject to the jurisdiction of the United States.

Again, this is perfectly consistent with the idea that children born to aliens here should not be considered citizens, unless a law is passed to make them so, and the option is exercised.

Again, the geography of McCain’s birth is not necessarily the determining factor. His parents were subject to, and fully subject to, US jurisdiction. They weren’t aliens on their own in another country, they didn’t obtain residency in Panama on their own, etc. They did not choose to leave the US behind and go somewhere else.

As for “anchor babies”. If the mother and baby were deported, would their original country claim both?

[Uncle Chip]

The Senate has no real authority on that matter... they were just hoping to set precedent.

The Senate along with the House has final authority over the electoral college. They vote to accept or reject the results.

Again, the geography of McCain’s birth is not necessarily the determining factor.

Right. And if the Senate had had his birth certificate in their hands before voting, it wouldn't look so foolish. Will they be made fools of again. Probably, as the proverb says: "A fool and his credibility are soon parted."

[Windflier]

The definition for every president from 1837 to present:

(1) American Citizen + (1) American Citizen + Birth on US Soil = NATURAL BORN CITIZEN

This is the definition which I feel comes closest to what the Framers intended. It is elegant in its simplicity, and comes closest to the natural truth, in my opinion.

It's my belief that we will continue down a dangerous path, unless the US SC finds for this very description of Natural Born Citizen.

[BP2]

BTTT