[Ikaros]

Okay but if it would be valid to read the two groups of people separately as:

‘No person except a natural born Citizen, at the time of the Adoption of this Constitution...’

‘No person except a Citizen of the United States, at the time of the Adoption of this Constitution...’

Now being after the fact how does the rule apply to both equally? Instead of saying “who were still alive, they would still be eligible” and “Once dead, the second category is inoperative” so why isn’t the first category (natural born citizens) inoperative too? I’m just playing devil’s advocate here in case this comes up in order to best defend it as it comes up on conversation to make them understand. I don’t want it to appear as if we are picking and choosing to suit our position, if you see what I mean.

[aruanan]

Now being after the fact how does the rule apply to both equally? Instead of saying “who were still alive, they would still be eligible” and “Once dead, the second category is inoperative” so why isn’t the first category (natural born citizens) inoperative too?

Two reasons: 1. the modifying clause follows the phrase being modified, and that phrase is not "natural born Citizen." 2. if "at the time of the Adoption of this Constitution" applied to both, then after about 70 or 80 years no one would have been eligible to be elected president, nearly everybody, both natural born and a grandfathered-in citizen, having passed away.