Hatch is pushing amendment to lift Oval Office limit (Arnie for Pres)

[Nambe]

Deseret Morning News

WASHINGTON — Sen. Orrin Hatch is pushing a constitutional amendment that could allow his pal, fund-raising helper and potential California gubernatorial candidate Arnold Schwarzenegger, to also run for U.S. president someday.

Hatch, R-Utah, introduced without fanfare last week an amendment to allow foreign-born people who have been naturalized U.S. citizens for at least 20 years to run for president. Currently, only native-born citizens may run for president.

Hatch spokeswoman Margarita Tapia said the legislation was not drafted with Schwarzenegger or anyone else specifically in mind when Hatch came up with the 20-year requirement. "It was a policy judgment not associated with any one individual," she said. ---

[saigon68]

1. Lift 2 Term Limit Also

That way they could run Reagan again

I'm sure he's up to the challenge.

[0007]

2. Arnold Schwarzenegger for president?

This Hatch guy is missing a latch on his front door.

[LuminousX]

3. I'd like to see other DUers opinions on this

On one hand, naturalized citizens have been some of the staunchest supporters of the American Way we've had. They are all too aware of what life is like elsewhere and truly value the freedoms we have here.

On the other hand, their loyalties can still be divided.

My personal belief is this clause of the Constution should stand. The potential for harm is too great.

[underpants]

8. My opinion is that Hatch has lost his f**kin mind

What happened to the Repube pillar that we should blame any and all problems on foreigners and dead beats (except their foreigners and dead beats). I see what you are saying about the contributions that naturalized citizens have made but I still think Hatch has lost it.

[The_Bearded_Liberal]

15. I believe it should be lifted

I believe that naturalized Americans should be allowed to seek the office of President of the United States.

It is totally ridiculous to judge the level of a particular persons "patriotism" or "love of country" on the place of their birth.

Many "furriners" care for and worry about the direction the US is headed more so than most American born people do.

Personally, I believe the only "test" for the office of President should be an I.Q and General Knowledge of the World test.
That would save us from the likes of the current incumbent.

[MUAD_DIB]

20. Food for thought.

Neither Napoleon, Hitler or Stalin were born in the countries that they later ruled.

[MUAD_DIB]

21. Food for thought.

Neither Napoleon, Hitler or Stalin were born in the countries that they later ruled.

[Flubadubya]

4. Well, if that is "worthy of consideration", then...

allowing a president to serve more than two terms ought to be on the table also. Amazing what the pugs will come up with as amendments to the constitution, not realizing that it could have consequences beyond the "immediate future" that they may not like.

Bring Bill Back!!!

[liberalnurse]

5. No Way!!

I'd say the "F" word but you know......it's not nice....

[mac56]

6. This will go nowhere.

Though the idea is not without merit (except for the possibility of Aaaahnollld becoming President), no way will enough states ratify it.

[pfitz59]

Rupert Murdoch for Pretzeldent!

Nuff said!

[w4rma]

26. An even better reason not to allow this amendment to pass (n/t)

[booksenkatz]

7. GOOD!

GO JENNIFER GRANHOLM!!!

[U2Shark]

10. Mmmm Hmmm

She came to mind immediately. :)

[fairfaxvadem]

9. Hatch is a fool....

Can't stand the guy. I don't care of he and "Teddy K" are great pals outside of the office. He would sell us down the river so fast it would make our heads spin.

[0007]

25. How do you know who is Ted Kennedy's friend?

You hang out with 'em?

[Walt Starr]

11. NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

There was a specific reason for this being in the constitution. We do NOT want foreign nationals coming here, living here for 20 years, and becoming president.

The reasoning was that citizens born on this continent would more likely have a loyalty to this nation. Foreign born citizens could have a loyalty to their conttry of origin still.

I am SO opposed to this, and so will most of Hatch's constituency.

Besides, this amendment was predicted in the movie, Demolition Man, and who wants a Sly Stallone movie to be prophetic?

[The_Bearded_Liberal]

17. It never ceases to amaze me....

....how a country built on immigration and one that advertizes to the rest of the world its supposed embrace of immigrants can be so paranoid of them.

You're worried about the "loyalty" of a foreign born president?
What about the "loyalty" of the current American born president who is wrecking the United States?

Better start looking into whether he was born on the other side of the border.

[madrchsod]

12. i guess ole` orrie

doesn`t have anything to do but propose something that has no chance at all to pass..what an idiot.

[Cheswick2.0]

13. I do not agree with this

I think this is a bad idea, arnold or not

[thebeaglehaslanded]

14. The Constitution as written has served us well for many years.

Let's not start messing with it for the sake of change. The framers knew what they were doing, and we've 200+ years showing that they were correct.

[JNelson6563]

16. I say Bring It On!!

Then we can run the Fabulous Jennifer Granholm as Prez and she'd kick the crap out of Arnie any day of the week.

Julie

[Liberal Veteran]

18. What is with the Repubs wanting to monkey with the Constitution?

Prohibit gay marriage.
Remove term limits.
Remove birthplace restrictions.
(The incredible dissappearing balanced budget ammendment)
Right to life amendment
Victim's rights amendment.

At the rate they propose constitutional amendments they ought to just form their own damn country.

[catzies]

23. Don't forget to add amendment banning flag-burning to that list.

Koresh forbid a symbolic piece of cloth should suffer any harm. :eyes:

[Tempest]

19. Why does the movie "The Manchurian Candidate" come to mind?

And I'm not talking about the Laurence Harvey character.

How hard would it be for a country to plant someone, bring them up through the political system for 20 years, use their country's wealth and power to get the person elected and then destroy the U.S. from within?

Bush is our own creation, and can be dealt with. A leader created from the outside would much harder to control.

[mbperrin]

22. The real question is...

why change? What earth shattering problem that we're facing would be solved by this? What's the reason for this change to be there?

If the answers are none and no particular, forget it!

If there are other answers, bring'em on! Usually the ones proposing a change must reasons, good or bad?

So, Orrin, the ball's in your court!

WHY?

[Fovea]

24. Vladimir Putin for President!!!!

Oh, I am all over this idea.
BTW-- Arnold did inhale, a lot!
Let's just see what kind of Rovian campaign we can devise for this kid.

[umcwb]

27. Locking- Dupe

Please continue your discussion here:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=14323&mesg_id=14323&listing_type=search

Thanks,
UMCWB
DU LBN Moderator

[lanlady]

28. I'm in favor of this--

first time I agree with a Hatchism! My kids were born overseas, but as US citizens. Lots of kids like them are born every day to US parents who are in the diplomatic corps, military, or other professions. Why should they be excluded from seeking office?

If there is any question of loyalty, presumably the foreign-born person would not be nominated or elected in the first place. I doubt it's a big concern.

Shit, look at Bush. He and I were born in the same hospital in CT, and in my book he's a huge traitor to this country.