[davandbar]

Then, why was there any questions to John McCain’s place of birth and his eligibility to be President? His mother lived in the US for five years. I believe that Congress had to pass something special so that there was no question that he was eligible (because he was born in the Panama Canal zone)

???

[PghBaldy]

...and Obama co-sponsored it. Fact is, it probably wasn’t necessary in McCain’s case. Obama is a different bird though with his teen mom the only citizen.

[SendShaqtoIraq]

Because some idiot was trying to stir up trouble.

“persons born on foreign soil to two U.S. parents, are born American citizens and are classified as citizens at birth under 8 USC 1401” - - 14th Amendment

[David]

Then, why was there any questions to John McCain’s place of birth and his eligibility to be President? His mother lived in the US for five years. I believe that Congress had to pass something special so that there was no question that he was eligible (because he was born in the Panama Canal zone)

There are two separate distinct issues: One, citizenship; and two, eligibility to serve as President under the Constitution, Article II, Sec. 1, Par. 4.

As to citizenship, McCain is in better shape that Obama; McCain has the two Citizen-parent rule, he is in without regard to how long or where questions.

The Senate passed a resolution intended to support McCain on the Constitutional question--unfortunately for him, the Senate can't unilaterally amend the Constitution. And McCain's best case was that under a Congressional fiction, the Canal Zone was U S Territory--among the other problems, McCain wasn't born there; he was born off the base in Panama. Most important, Congressional fictions don't control the meaning or application of the U S Constitution.

If the case gets to the Supreme Court, McCain also is not qualified to serve as President.

[Mr. Silverback]

I doubt Congress needed to intervene on his behalf, because he was born on a military base (i.e., American soil) in the Canal Zone.