Yes,you're correct in saying that with Osama Obama anything is possible.But I know for a fact that the only time the State Department (which is in charge of such things) will accept as valid a US citizen renouncing his US citizenship is when that renunciation is done *before an official of the State Department*...in writing...and in an already established way.Osama having renounced his US citizenship before an Indonesian government official...or before anyone else....doesn't count.Legally,that is.
Legal or not if the voters ever hear such a thing he’s done. Only the hard left would think he’s a hero for doing such a thing. In this case, intent would would lose the election for him.
That's what the State Department does in fact say. However, the relevant legislation currently says that you lose your citizenship not only by formally renouncing as the State Department provides, but also by serving as an official of a foreign government, or also by acquiring an alternative citizenship with the intention of renouncing your US citizenship. This last could be a problem for Obama if he had to formally renounce US citizenship to the Indonesian government to get his Indonesian passport.
I don't know what it said in 1981, though.