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Is Obama a Natural Born US Citizen?

Is Obama A Natural Born US Citizen?

  • No, I'm a crazy *** birther

    Votes: 2 8.3%

  • Yes, I'm a blind follower

    Votes: 8 33.3%

  • Maybe, but he's hiding something.

    Votes: 5 20.8%

  • Who gives a rat's ***

    Votes: 5 20.8%

  • Whatever Kicky says

    Votes: 4 16.7%
  • Total voters
    24
  • Poll closed .
Bronco70 said:
Who cares?

Is there a good reason, at this point in our country's history, that our president must be born here? IMO, this requirement served a purpose early on, but has become obsolete.
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To return to seriousness for just a second, I actually agree with the requirement that our president be a natural born citizen. I think there is something to be said for someone running the country who actually was born here and likely was raised here and therefore understands the people, not just the politics. I would be suspect of someone who had an american birth certificate who then lived for 30 years in another country as well. I want to know that my president understands what makes americans tick. I have lived in another country and I can tell you that no matter what time you spend there, if it is not your birthplace and the place you have lived most of your life you cannot have the same connection to and understanding of the people and culture as a natural born citizen.

I guess you could make a case for a naturalized citizen who lived in america for 99% of their lifetime. That might be ok. But I still want to see that our president is born in america. I do not think that is so irrational.

Just my $0.02. Let the flame-fest continue.
 
LogGrad98 said:
But I still want to see that our president is born in america. I do not think that is so irrational.

Just my $0.02. Let the flame-fest continue.
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What about citizens born overseas on military bases?

What about diplomatic staff children that spend large portions of their formative years in foreign countries but live at US embassies?

What about persons born in US territories or protectorates, like the U.S. Virgin Islands?

What about the Barry Goldwater scenario (i.e. born in Arizona before Arizona was a state)? A future version of that scenario could play out, for example, with someone like current Senator Lisa Murkowski (born in 1957 in Alaska) or if future states are admitted down the line.

Also: Disturbingly few people have chosen the obvious choice, which is "whatever kicky says." I'm disappointed.
 
LogGrad98 said:
To return to seriousness for just a second, I actually agree with the requirement that our president be a natural born citizen. I think there is something to be said for someone running the country who actually was born here and likely was raised here and therefore understands the people, not just the politics. I would be suspect of someone who had an american birth certificate who then lived for 30 years in another country as well. I want to know that my president understands what makes americans tick. I have lived in another country and I can tell you that no matter what time you spend there, if it is not your birthplace and the place you have lived most of your life you cannot have the same connection to and understanding of the people and culture as a natural born citizen.

I guess you could make a case for a naturalized citizen who lived in america for 99% of their lifetime. That might be ok. But I still want to see that our president is born in america. I do not think that is so irrational.

Just my $0.02. Let the flame-fest continue.
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While that might be an important requirement for you, wouldn't it be just as effective to let the voters take all that into account and vote for the person they thought was best for the job? The rule essentially aims to protect voters from themselves.
 
VINYLONE said:
Please explain this one. Can you be a US citizen if you were born on a military base located in Germany? If this is true, I had no idea.
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Under certain circumstances, yes. At least one parent has to be a US citizen and meet a number of other requirements (i.e. lived in the United States for a certain number of years). The residency rules are somewhat relaxed for military personnel who are stationed overseas.
 
Gameface said:
While that might be an important requirement for you, wouldn't it be just as effective to let the voters take all that into account and vote for the person they thought was best for the job? The rule essentially aims to protect voters from themselves.
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There's a corresponding requirement that Presidents must be a resident of the US for at least 14 years. I would think that would be enough time to figure out "what makes Americans tick." (whatever that means)
 
Sirkickyass said:
There's a corresponding requirement that Presidents must be a resident of the US for at least 14 years. I would think that would be enough time to figure out "what makes Americans tick." (whatever that means)
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You obviously have spent no substantial amount of time living in another country if you don't understand what that means or implies. Or you are being deliberately obtuse, which I have seen you do plenty in the past.
 
YB85 said:
Barack Obama is the kindest, bravest, warmest, most wonderful human being I've ever known in my life.
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If he wasn't such a marginal leader I think the Manchurian Candidate conspiracy theory would have a lot more traction.
 
Sirkickyass said:
Under certain circumstances, yes. At least one parent has to be a US citizen and meet a number of other requirements (i.e. lived in the United States for a certain number of years). The residency rules are somewhat relaxed for military personnel who are stationed overseas.
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McCain was born on a naval base in The Panama Canal zone.
 
LogGrad98 said:
To return to seriousness for just a second, I actually agree with the requirement that our president be a natural born citizen. I think there is something to be said for someone running the country who actually was born here and likely was raised here and therefore understands the people, not just the politics. I would be suspect of someone who had an american birth certificate who then lived for 30 years in another country as well. I want to know that my president understands what makes americans tick. I have lived in another country and I can tell you that no matter what time you spend there, if it is not your birthplace and the place you have lived most of your life you cannot have the same connection to and understanding of the people and culture as a natural born citizen.

I guess you could make a case for a naturalized citizen who lived in america for 99% of their lifetime. That might be ok. But I still want to see that our president is born in america. I do not think that is so irrational.

Just my $0.02. Let the flame-fest continue.
Click to expand...

The following explanation makes complete sense as to why they wanted a Natural Born Citizen for the office of President:

the Founders sought to guarantee that the ideals for which they fought would be faithfully preserved for future generations of Americans. The Founders wanted to assure that the Office of President and Commander in Chief of the Military, a non-collegial and unique and powerful civil and military position, was free of all foreign influence and that its holder has sole and absolute allegiance, loyalty, and attachment to the U.S.
 
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