Saturday, February 26, 2005

Presidential Eligibility Amendments

The San Jose Mercury News Service reports that Sen. Arlen Specter (R-PA), Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, will back an amendment allowing naturalized citizens to serve as president:
The new chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee said Thursday that he supports a constitutional amendment allowing U.S. citizens born overseas to run for president, a boost for those hoping to open the White House door to Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Despite the language in this paragraph, I presume that (1) all foreign-born U.S. citizens, not just those born overseas, would be eligible under the proposed amendment (I doubt that Sen. Specter is trying to continue to bar from eligibility those born in Mexico, Canada and the rest of the Americas); and (2) the amendment actually allows such persons to serve, not just run, for president (the constitutional provision in question makes foreign born persons ineligible to serve as president, but it says nothing about running for president).

Separately, but related, could a grand comprise leading to a Bush 43 v. Clinton race be in the works?

UPDATE: Yes, the Clinton in the potential race referred to above could be either Bill or Hillary.

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