Are women allowed to become the US President?

lanfranco

The only personal qualifications set forth in the Constitution (Article II, Section 1) concern age -- 35 or older; residency -- the candidate must have been a resident of the U.S. for 14 years; and citizenship -- he or she must be a "natural-born" citizen, meaning born on American soil or, if born abroad, with at least one parent who is a citizen. http://www.presidentsusa.net/qualifications.html Aug 13 05, 8:29 AM

Arpeggionist

If born abroad, one does not qualify as a "natural born" citizen of the US, whether or not his/her parents are citizens. My parents were both born in Pennsylvania and I was born in Washington DC. I could theoretically run for president, whereas my brother, who was born here in Jerusalem, cannot. Aug 13 05, 2:54 PM

lanfranco

Actually, Arpeggionist, although the Constitution is not explicit about this, a story discussing the point ran in our local paper several days ago. According to the writer, as long as you are the child of an American citizen, which makes you a "natural-born" citizen, then it doesn't matter where you were born as far as running for president is concerned. This seemed to make sense, since one would not wish to disqualify, say, the children of American diplomats posted abroad at the time of their offsprings' births. However, if anyone can find any information to the contrary, let me know: I love writing argumentative letters to newspaper editors. Aug 13 05, 3:38 PM

bloomsby

This link may be of interest on the meaning of "natural born citizen": http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Natural-born_citizen It's worth having a look at the discussion page as well as the actual article. Aug 13 05, 5:25 PM

lanfranco

Great confusion, bloomsby, even on the discussion page. However, the article to which I referred interpreted "natural-born" to mean not just born within the physical boundaries of the U.S., but also biologically the child of at least one U.S. citizen, no matter where the birth took place. Again, the writer could have been wrong. Since the phrase "natural-born" has seemingly been subject to much misunderstanding, some politicians have recently been seeking to clarify it and to expand the definition of who is eligible to be elected president. The major issues seem to involve children born abroad to foreign parents but adopted by U.S. citizens; and persons who have been "naturalized" (a term that is distinct from the phrase "natural-born") and have lived in the U.S. for many years -- such as that former bodybuilder and actor who is now governing one of our largest states. Aug 13 05, 5:45 PM

Ilona_Ritter

WE learned in school that "natural-born" refers to anyone born in this country, but also, if your parents are out of the country and your mother happens to go into labour during that time you're still a citizen. Tehy were just visiting another country, or on active duty or some such thing, it wasn't a permant move. I had a friend who's brother was born in Cuba because their dad was in the Navy, he's still a natural born citizen, it just happened to be that his mother went into labour before they were back in the states. Aug 13 05, 8:50 PM

dg_dave

I am the same way, Ilona. My father was in the US Navy at the time of my birth, and I was born overseas. I have heard conflicting stories on if I could run; I never will as it is too corrupt. Aug 13 05, 9:36 PM

peasypod

Got me thinking about my origins. My father (Italian) became an Australian citizen not long after arriving in this country and having me. But, when I was born, he was Italian, not Australian. Now, when the Italian Parliament holds its elections he cannot vote. However, I can, as my parent was Italian at the time of my birth. I can also hold 2 passports, and he can't. Ponderous, yes. I'm now wondering if I can run for the Italian Presidency.....Hey, for a country who has a porn star as a parliamentarian... ;) Aug 13 05, 9:42 PM

Arpeggionist

I guess it depends on the first country of citizenship. My brother was first registered as a citizen of Israel. He only qualifies as an American citizen because his parents are American. If our parents had been on some diplomatic duty here, they might have registered him first as an American citizen, whereupon he would have to merely drop his Israeli citizenship and run for president. Aug 14 05, 2:34 AM

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