Posted on 02/22/2004 10:15:42 AM PST by John W
WASHINGTON (AP) - Arnold Schwarzenegger, making his Sunday talk show debut as governor, said that he and other foreign-born citizens should be eligible to run for the White House and that President Bush can carry California in November if he does more to help the state. The Austrian-born former bodybuilder, in the capital for his first meeting with fellow governors, said he has not thought about running for president in the future. The Constitution says only natural-born citizens of the United States are eligible for the country's highest office.
The Republican governor said anyone who has been in a U.S. citizen for at least 20 years - as he has - should "absolutely" be able to seek the presidency. A constitutional amendment proposed by Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, would make that possible.
"There are so many people in this country that are now from overseas, that are immigrants, that are doing such a terrific job with their work, bringing businesses here, that there's no reason why not," said Schwarzenegger, who came to America in 1983.
"Look at the kind of contribution that people like Henry Kissinger have made, Madeleine Albright," he said, referring to two former secretaries of state who were born in Europe.
Schwarzenegger said on NBC's "Meet the Press' that he has been too busy with California's problems to contemplate a future run for the White House. "I have no idea, I haven't thought about that at all," he said.
Schwarzenegger reaffirmed his opposition to the gay marriages that are taking place in San Francisco. He said Mayor Gavin Newsom's refusal to obey the state's law against same-sex marriages could set a bad precedent.
On Friday, the governor said he had directed California's attorney general to take action to stop the marriages.
"In San Francisco it is license for marriage of same sex. Maybe the next thing is another city that hands out licenses for assault weapons and someone else hands out licenses for selling drugs, I mean you can't do that," Schwarzenegger said on NBC.
"We have to stay within the law. There's a state law that says specific things, and if you want to challenge those laws then you can go to the court," he said.
Schwarzenegger, who was sworn in Nov. 17 after winning a special election to replace recalled Democratic Gov. Gray Davis, is making his first visit to Washington since taking office.
He is attending the winter meeting of the National Governors Association. State leaders were to meet with Bush at the White House on Monday.
Schwarzenegger campaigned during last year's recall election on a pledge to be "the Collectinator" and get more money for California from the federal government. Bush's budget, however, did little to help the state.
Schwarzenegger said he did not feel let down by the president and said Bush can win California in November - if he does more to help the state financially. Bush lost California by 1.3 million votes to Democrat Al Gore in 2000.
"I think it is totally directly related to how much he will do for our state, there's no two ways about it," Schwarzenegger said. "Because Californian people are like a mirror, you know that what you do for them they will do back for you," Schwarzenegger said.
"If the federal government does great things for California this year I think there's no two ways about it, that President Bush can have California, he can be elected, I'm absolutely convinced of that."
Hell no! Imagine if George Soros were eligible. The United States is the world's most powerful country. There are lots of evil but ambitious foreigners that would like to take over this country and use its power. Remember Napolean was not born in France and Hitler was not born in Germany.
I think the native born requirement for presidents has served us well in the past and will continue to serve us well in the future. Fortunately it is very difficult to change the Constitution. I really seriously doubt anyone could get a majority in both the House and Senate to approve this, much less a 2/3rds majority in both. I really think the states would not ratify it if it were ever to be proposed.
McCain might actuall be an improvement for Panama.
No one said it has. Rather, someone said noncitizens can vote. You said they can't, even though they do, because it's illegal, while strenuously insisting that illegal stuff happens all the time (so, nudge nudge, don't get so uptight about a few illegals throwing American elections).
As for wanting to arrest unqualified voters: I simply don't believe you. Not like it matters much what you or I want.
That was not what was said at all.
The fact that English is a second language to me, makes me pay closer attention to the real meaning of the words, rather than what I think those words mean.
The poster said:
"You don't even have to be a citizen to vote."
Which is patently wrong.
According to California law, you must be a citizen to vote. That's the law, the fact that the law is being easily violated in LA County, or anywhere else for that matter, does not make the law invalid.
Words have meaning.
BS. You wanted to spin it and you picked some absurd objection that there's no reason to take seriously. I doubt you think it means what you've been saying it means, as if any of this matters in the first place.
"Rather, someone said noncitizens can vote."
That was not what was said at all.
"You don't even have to be a citizen to vote." "...noncitizens can vote"
Yep, HUGE difference. If only I weren't such a native speaker, I'd notice the vast, enormous, veritably uncrossable chasm in meaning.
I doubt even you believe there's any difference.
And even if you do, you've already admitted he's absolutely right. Face it. You said noncitizens vote, legally or not. Hence, you don't even have to be a citizen to vote. Just willing to break the law.
You don't even have to be 21 to drink. You don't even have to have a valid license to drive. You don't even have to have a legal plant in your pipe to smoke. You don't even have to hold a fishing license to fish. Etc, etc, etc.
I'm telling you, it doesn't matter how close attention you pay, you just don't know what you're talking about (unless this inanity is intentional). The construction he used simply does not mean "you don't even have to (whatever) to have permission or authorization to (whatever)". It means "you don't even have to (whatever) to (whatever)" and no more.
And now, no matter how stupid you are, you can't but know how wrong and inane you've been this whole thread. You'll keep repeating your ignorant "argument" anyway, but this is a waste of time.
Maybe I'm paranoid, but maybe a healthy paranoia is a good thing.
TS
...
by John Yinger* August 3, 2000
The U.S. Constitution declares that only "natural born" citizens are eligible to be President. Because this provision denies naturalized citizens an important civil right, namely, the right to run for President, it turns them into second-class citizens.
A constitutional amendment proposed by Congressman Barney Frank would extend presidential eligibility to naturalized citizens (once they have been citizens for 20 years and met other constitutional requirements) and would thereby ensure that all Americans have this important right.
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