[DiogenesLamp]

None of our first nine presidents were born in the United States of parents who were US citizens. So I wonder if your argument can be sustained on historic grounds. Why weren’t they all disqualified?

Because they were specifically exempted from the requirement. Article II specifically exempts anyone born before 1776.

This has been covered so many times in the last 8 years that I am surprised that there are still people who do not know this.

The very first "natural born citizen" President was Martin Van Burin. He was born in 1782. No one born prior to 1776 could be a "natural citizen" because the country hadn't been created yet.

[Mrs. Don-o]

Exactly.

[stylin19a]

scratchin my head regarding anybody born before 1776.

Van Buren was the first natural born president post Declaration of Independence, but we weren't a country yet when he was born.
It would seem once the Constitution was adopted, it didn't matter when, only where re: natural born. Hence Van Buren first natural born.

“No Person except a natural born Citizen, or a Citizen of the United States at the time of the Adoption of this Constitution,...”

the constitution was adopted 6/21/1788.

What am I missing ?