It turns out McCain is, by accident of birth, stirring a constitutional tizzy. No, I’m not talking about policy, just his birth and parentage. He was born in the Canal Zone to a Naval Officer. Now, people are wondering if that disqualifies him for presidency, since the constitution requires the president be Natural Born. Turns out, I’ve thought this one through already. My Wisdom, let me show you it.
I was born in Japan to two American citizens from Indiana. My dad was stationed outside Tokyo by the Air Force. We grant citizenship in this country based on three criteria; naturalization, birth within our borders, and birth to a Citizen. I was born to an American mother. Since I was a citizen by dint of birth, I’m a ‘Natural Born‘ citizen as opposed to a naturalized citizen.
Now, just to game the system, say I had an American father and a foreign mother and was born on foreign soil. Then it might be possible to challenge paternity in a bid to discredit my eligibility, since the FATHER is the sponsoring citizen. Though, this is something the State Department should probably be vetting anyway.
I believe that on my 35th birthday, I’ll be eligible to assume the office of the presidency. I’m not saying I’m in the line of succession, but I’d meet the requirements.
Sorry Northwestern. You know I love you, but this time I’m finally going to cheer my heart out for my Hoosiers!