There’s been quite a bit of banter around the net, since the reemergence of McCain’s primary campaign, about whether he satisfies one of the Constitutional qualifications for becoming President — that he be a “natural-born citizen”.
McCain, of course, was born in the Panama Canal Zone to American parents.
Most reasonable folks seem to accept that McCain passes the Constitutional test. He’s a citizen, has never been naturalized, and he was born (as opposed to having been manufactured and programmed by Cylons….or so we believe).
Nevertheless, there has been an observation that “natural-born citizen” is not a well-defined term, and perhaps there is some interpretation which would cause the intent of the Framers to be that McCain doesn’t qualify.
Well, I saw on a mailing list, something that should put even that speculation to bed. It turns out that one of the early acts of Congress provides the missing definition, and indicates our early leaders’ intent.
From the Immigration Act of 1790:
And the children of citizens of the United States, that may be born beyond sea, or out of the limits of the United States, shall be considered as natural born citizens….
So, can we put this silliness behind us?
