So I was getting all excited about Jim Himes, U.S. Rep. who represents Chris Shays

[CTyankee]

old 4th Congressional District in CT and is a member of the House Intelligence Committee. He was interviewed on Morning Joe and discussing one of Trump's former aides (I think it was Carter Page, but not sure, I lose track of these criminals) who was before his committee yesterday. He's a bright young guy and I'm looking for 2020 presidential material among our elected Dems...

but then I learned that he can't ever be our president or vp. Born in Peru...

Still, I'm glad he's is where he is. He can do a lot of good.

[shanny]

1. Naturalized?

[CTyankee]

2. Of course. He is a citizen but can't be president or vp because he wasn't born

in the U.S.

[Adrahil]

14. Ummm... no.

His parents were American citizens. He is eligible. Same as John McCain (who was born in Panama).

[CTyankee]

17. As I say in my answer #5, I would expect Trump to make the whole campaign around

Himes' citizenship. It's been done before and is successful with some voters. And those selfsame voters lost the popular votes big time but won with the EC.

We can't have the distraction of a citizenship argument get in the way of our 2020 campaign.

[Adrahil]

19. But it's not an issue.... he is CLEARLY qualified. NT

[CTyankee]

22. I see that and you see that but if this last pres. election has taught us anything

it has taught us that people believing in the wrong thing often prevail. He also speaks fluent Spanish and that's a no-no to some people....I know, I know...it's crazy and unbelievable that I should even bring this up.

[lillypaddle]

29. Agree 100% nt

[shanny]

16. What I am asking is if his parents are American (either one actually)

and he just happened to be born overseas (obviously he is a citizen or he wouldn't be where he is). If that is the situation he's eligible--if Ted Cruz is eligible (barf) so is he.

[CTyankee]

18. not quite my argument which I have stated above.

[wishstar]

3. If Ted Cruz- born in Canada can run, so can Hines whose parents were both American citizens

Hines was born to American parents when his father was working for Ford Foundation in Peru. He certainly has as much right as Ted Cruz to run for President, since Canadian born Cruz could run based on his mother being American.

[CTyankee]

5. Oh, I can see it now, tho. It would be a huge distraction from the campaign

issues because Trump would make it so. (sigh) I wish it weren't so, but I fear that any little thing Trump can blow up, he would...

Of course, Trump would consider Himes a vile enemy as well for all of Himes "mischief."

edit to add: He is referred to as "Peruvian-American" on one site I googled. That suggests dual citizenship to me, but it could have been an error (could that possibly happen on google???).

[unc70]

6. Anyone can "run"; only natural born can "serve"

The GOP has deliberately muddled this issue over the years because several of their candidates were born outside the USA. George Romney, Cruz, et al. John McCain is probably included; his claim of being natural born on a US Naval base does not meet the requirement, nor would being born in the Canal Zone at that time.

[lillypaddle]

11. I don't believe this is true

Do you have a link? Born to a military father and an American mother, I think there is no question that McCain could have served.

[unc70]

20. Congress passed a resolution confirming McCain and Obama could run

That was a way of papering over the issue at that time. The issue with McCain had been raised during the 2008 primaries, I believe by Huckabee supporters.

No question that McCain was a citizen at birth, just whether he was natural born. While natural born citizen is not explicitly defined as such, the only ongoing method for citizenship is through birth on the soil of the USA. All other ways to citizenship are under the Naturalization Act.

[lillypaddle]

28. What are you talking about?

What about Obama? He was born in the US to an American citizen. Link?

[Adrahil]

15. I do not believe that is true.

Many children of U.S. Service members are born overseas. They are still natural born citizens (that is, they were citizens at the time of their birth).

[unc70]

21. Difference between citizen at birth and by birth

I grew up next to Camp Lejeune and had a number of friends born on overseas military bases. They often joked about how they could never be president, they were not natural born. That was the guidance given to them and their families by the government. They were citizens at birth because of citizen parent, though they did have to complete extra paperwork, I think when they turned 18, because of overseas birth.

[Adrahil]

23. Sorry, I just thinks that's nonsense.

And it makes no freakin' sense? WHy would American citizens, overseas in the service of their nation, be expected to give up the rights of their kids like that? It's nuts.

Complete non-issue.

[unc70]

24. Birth on OCONUS military base does not confer citizenship

Being born on base has no impact on citizenship. If neither parent is a citizen, even if in the military, then the child is not a US citizen. Whether you think this is fair or not, it is how the law works. (That law is part of the Naturalization Act.)

[Adrahil]

25. Correct, but who cares?

If one parent is a citizen, you are born a citizen. That's what matters.

[unc70]

26. All those people born on base care

[lillypaddle]

30. And I have asked you numerous times

where is a link to back up your claim?

I was born in Erlangen, Germany, to a military father and a German mother. I could serve as president, although it is highly unlikely I could be elected. Same situation as McCain.

[unc70]

31. Not the same as Mccain

McCain’s status was based upon the assertion that the Canal Zone was US territory at the time of his birth and therefore qualifying him as natural born, not in him being born on base. Those who have studied those claims in detail generally conclude that his status is uncertain on those grounds, particularly given other problems from the retroactive nature of some of the naturalization laws affecting the CZ. McCain went to considerable effort to promote the claim that the CZ was legally part of the US.

His status is unrelated to the more specific claim that he was born in a Navy hospital or on the Navy base. That claim is actually challenged by reports that this hospital was built after he was born. Others claim he was born just across the border in Panama proper, not in the CZ.

The arguments on natural born are just that until the SC rules — arguments.

[lillypaddle]

4. Yeah, I liked him too

I'm dong the same as far as keeping my eyes open for future stars:

Chris Murphy
Adam Schiff
Eric Swalwell

[CTyankee]

7. we simply must get our qualified women officeholders or prominent citizens to

consider a run.

It is embarrassing that we can't do this. What do we tell our daughters and granddaughters?

[lillypaddle]

9. I agree, and I thought of that

when I made that post. That having been said, a woman needs to step up. I mentioned those men because they have, for one reason or another, spoken out in such a way that they have been invited to be guests on various news shows. And some of their views haven't been particularly popular, but they are demonstrating the strength of their convictions.

Maybe there is someone waiting for the right time. I thought Kamala Harris might be that person, but so far all I've seen from her are a few tweets. And though I like Elizabeth Warren, I'm feeling a little burned out with her.

[CTyankee]

10. There's some real animosity on DU against EW due to her recent statement

that the primaries were rigged. So that probably turned a whole segment of the Dem Party against her.

Kamala may yet come through for us. She is certainly strong in hearing testimony.
So let's watch her. I hope she is being groomed by the party for a possible run. I would like to see a whole slew of women candidates.

I just voted to reelect our female, black mayor here in New Haven. But we are fortunate Dems. Trump wouldn't dare to set foot in this city! That is a comforting thought...

[lillypaddle]

12. We'll see who wants it

badly enough to step up and reach out. It should take more than us recruiting, they have to really want it. IMHO.

[CTyankee]

13. Yes, they do.

I hope that the bruises are healing from the last election and we will emerge all the stronger as a party as a result. Maybe it is just a matter of time...

[Bleacher Creature]

8. He's great, but please keep in mind that we also need stars in Congress.

You see what Republicans are going through now, and it's not just because they have a buffoon at the top. Republicans in Congress are laughably incompetent, from the bottom to the top. Paul Ryan is the emptiest of empty suits, and it's great to finally see him exposed as an idiot after years of pretending to be the smart Republican. McConnell actually has some strengths, such as fundraising and obstructing Congress. Unfortunately for the GOP, legislating isn't one of them.

If and when Democrats take the House and Senate, there's going to be a need for our best and brightest to step up immediately, both to undo the mess Trump and Co. is making, and to move the country forward. In the Senate, I see people like Murphy, Franken, Warren, and Harris, just to name a few, having a chance to shine.

Not everyone can or should be President. And that's ok. There have been giants in Congress before, some of whom have accomplished more than some Presidents. Teddy Kennedy is the perfect example. Himes and other bright young Democrats could certainly do a lot worse.

[Fresh_Start]

27. his bio says he was borne to american parents

So I think that most likely he would be a US citizen from birth.

Birth Abroad in Wedlock to Two U.S. Citizen Parents
A person born abroad in wedlock to a U.S. citizen mother and a U.S. citizen father acquires U.S. citizenship at birth under section 301(c) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), if one of the parents has had a residence in the United States or one of its outlying possessions prior to the person’s birth.

The exception appears to be if neither of this parents had resided in the US at any time before his birth.