Obama and McCain

[John317]

Originally Posted By: John317

Yes. The Constitution does not have the same requirements for cabinet members as it does for the U.S. President.

One of the reasons for the requirement that the president be born in the U.S. is that the framers of the constitution feared that someone born in England could take the country back under British rule. That requirement disqualified Alexander Hamilton, one of the framers of the constitution, from being President, but he was in Washington's cabinet as the first Secretary of the Treasury.

I don't think that is correct. The Constitution reads "No Person except a natural born Citizen, or a Citizen of the United States, at the time of the Adoption of this Constitution, shall be eligible to the Office of President..."

It is interesting that the Constitution allowed immigrants that had become naturalized prior to the adoption of the Constitution to be eligible to become President but not immigrants after its adoption.

You are right about its not disqualifying Alexander Hamilton. He would have made a great president but he was killed in a foolish dual.

This from the International Herald Tribune: http://www.iht.com/articles/2004/10/25/opinion/edpres.php/:

"The founding fathers of the United States wrote the prohibitive language [in the US Constitution] fearing that a foreign monarchy might try to return the new country to the crown - a fear that is obsolete today and is insulting to people who have uprooted their lives to declare their loyalty to the United States."

[Woody]

If McCain was born in a US Territory I think that qualifies as a Natural Born US Citizen. The Supreame court may have to rule on this IF McCain wins. I doubt it will be brought up unless McCain wins.

Does the Canal Zone have the right to vote ... OR did it I should say.?

[lazarus]

Just imagine of Obama had been born in the canal zone. Folks would have already concluded that he could not run for President.

[Dr. Shane]

Quote:

Does the Canal Zone have the right to vote ... OR did it I should say.?

The Canal Zone no longer exists. Other territories like Puerto Rico, Guam and the US Virgin Islands do not have a vote in Congress. However everyone born there is a US Citizen and carries a US Passport when traveling abroad. They can freely move to any of the 50 states and upon establishing a residence within any of those states could participate in elections. That said, these territories do hold primaries and elect delegates to the Republican and Democrat national conventions where their delegates do have a vote.