When the framers wrote the U.S. Constitution in 1787, they expressly stated that only a natural born citizen could become president. John McCain was born in the Panama Canal Zone. The original intent of the framers was that only a person born on American soil could be eligible for the presidency. The framers were quite clear on this point to guard against foreigners becoming commander-in-chief. In 1787, the U.S. did not have any of its military stationed on foreign soil.
So what is needed is either a constitutional amendment to settle the matter or for the U.S. Supreme Court or Congress to make a final ruling on said eligibility requirement for the office of president of the United States. If one follows a strict constructionist interpretation of the original intent of the Constitution, John Paul McCain does not meet the eligibility requirements to run for president of the United States. The Republicans have traditionally appointed and supported judicial candidates who give a very narrow, strict constructionist original intent view of the Constitution. But in the instant case, involving the eligibility requirements for a person not born on American soil, the Republicans and their operatives give a very broad, liberal interpretation of the original intent of the framers.
It seems to me that any American citizen, political party, or organization would be able to file a causative action against John McCain’s candidacy. Therefore, since John McCain is a so called honorable man, he should step down as being the Republican front runner for president until this issue is adjudicated by a constitutional amendment, the Congress or the United States Supreme Court.
1 comment:
That might be a too literal interpretation of the Constitution. Since McCain was born of Natural Born American Parents and his father was an officer in the US Navy, and born on a US Naval Base, that does not disqualify McCain as a natural born American...just born outside of the US.
Not much difference if someone was born on a vacation of their parents, they are still Americans by all Rights.
That is how I believe the Constitution should be read.
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