Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

To: SeekAndFind
Yes, I know that. But some “purists” in FR insists that to be “Natural Born” based on the “Original Meaning” of the Framers, BOTH your parents have to be American Citizens at the time of your birth.

If that is the definition of "natural born", then none of the first 9 presidents of the US were natural born, since there was no USA for them to be citizens OF at the time of their birth.

Quite simply, anyone born in the US or its territories is considered a natural-born citizen. Where the question arises is in the case of a child born outside of the US to one or more parents that are US citizens. The child is a citizen of the US by virtue of his parents, but is he a "natural born" citizen? Some argue that because the child born overseas to an American parent would not be a citizen except for his parent, he is not a "natural born" citizen. On the other hand, a child born in the US is a citizen regardless of the citizenship of his parents - his US citizenship is not dependent upon his parents citizenship, and so he would be "natural born".

I'm not saying that is the correct answer, just pointing out some potential arguments. However, there is no question about whether or not Jindal is "natural born". Ted Cruz, there may be a question. But it is ultimately a political question and not a legal question, as we saw with Obama.

33 posted on 06/18/2014 2:39:05 PM PDT by CA Conservative (Texan by birth, Californian by circumstance)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 23 | View Replies ]


To: CA Conservative
The founder's grandfathered themselves in by the language of the qualifications for President in Article Two.

In addition, your definition of what constitutes a "natural born" citizen has been proven wrong many times on this forum. Natural born has been established as having two citizen parents and born under the jurisdiction of the United States. In this scenario, there is no other condition than being a natural born citizen. That is why the term "natural born" is used.

45 posted on 06/18/2014 6:43:10 PM PDT by Uncle Sham
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 33 | View Replies ]

To: CA Conservative
the first 9 presidents of the US were natural born, since there was no USA for them to be citizens OF at the time of their birth.

No, the first nine as it turned out were exempt from this reading of "natural born."

59 posted on 06/19/2014 8:39:38 PM PDT by Theodore R. (Liberals keep winning; so the American people must now be all-liberal all the time.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 33 | View Replies ]

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article


FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson