Should the President of the United States be allowed to be a citizen

[stickdog]

of another country as well?

I don't think this would be a good idea at first blush, but I admit that I really haven't given the topic too much thought. Furthermore, our current President is probably the most potent argument for outsourcing that I've ever encountered.

[Warren DeMontague]

1. Our current one has dual citizenship with fucking fantasyland

Witness his stances on Global Warming and "intelligent design". On his planet, the last 500 years of science never took place.

[GreenPartyVoter]

14. All too true

------------------------------------------------------
Ditch Bu$h and save the Gulf: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=106&topic_id=22507&mesg_id=22507

Then save the nation!
http://timeforachange.bluelemur.com/electionreform.htm

[Lecky]

2. I don't think it's a big deal

...but I understand why some would disagree with me.
I think some people would fear that the President would have dual loyalties instead of one (which wouldn't necessarily be the case IMO).

[Tyranny_R_US]

3. Would Canada allow an American with dual citizenship to be PM?

[Brightmore]

16. Yes they would

Their first PM was Scottish. I think you just have to be a citizen to be PM in Canada. Doesn't matter if you are a natural born Canadian or not.

[SidDithers]

19. More recently, John Turner PM a few months in 1984...

was born in Surrey, England.

Sid

[Sgent]

4. So all Jews are disallowed from the presidency?

(note this is a continuation of a previous form in a slightly different form).

Why don't you say what you mean, should Jews be allowed to serve in government positions?

[Sgent]

7. The issue is that

a Jew, or his grandchild, by act of stepping on Israeli soil becomes a citizen -- even if they don't request it.

In the past American citizens have been drafted into the Israeli army by virtue of this law/requirement.

This entire thing originated in claims made by David Duke et all that Chertoff, Wolfowitz, etc. are Israeli citizens and a security risk.

Without some affirmation of this -- application for a passport, volunteering for the armed forces, or serving in the government, I find this train of thought to be nothing more than thinly disguised antisemitism.

[Freedomfried]

8. Do you sign your "foreign" passport??

What does it say in the statement right above where you affix your signature?

Please tell us.

[Zodiak]

10. really?

and here I thought it was about Arnold.

Sorry, but I don't see "veiled anti-semitism" behind this thread.

Some people are waaay too liberal with that accusation, so I would ask that one tries to be judicious rather than start a flame war.

And Israel was drafting poeple just for setting foot on their soil? Shameful. Citizenship should have intent.

Maybe we should not recognize dual citizenship unless the bearer claims it. I sure would hate to be a dual citizen of Jerkistan just because I got off the plane.

[LostinVA]

13. Me too -- this is about Arnold... antisemitism?

Who else do the Repubs keep talking about re: changing the constitution to allow this: Arnold. I'm very sensitive to both blatant and coded antisemitism, but... Wtf?

[ContraBass Black]

15. In that case, I think it should depend on intent

And whether or not that citizenship is accepted. Accepting foreign citizenship was grounds for expatriation.

[Warren DeMontague]

18. I don't think that's true. If it is, I'm a dual US/Israeli citizen myself.

And don't get me started about not wanting to be in any club that would have me as a member.

[stickdog]

9. What's weird is that I said EXACTLY what I meant. Re-read

the original post.

I didn't realize that any Jew is automatically granted dual citizenship if he or she visits Israel. How exactly does this work in practical terms?

[Kenroy]

5. Probably not

but the definition of citizenship is quite fluid for some countries, so I don't see it being important.

Israel, Ireland, and other countries have some pretty loose requirements. But if a person APPLIED for citizenship in those countries and received it, I think that's probably over the line.

But it would take a constitutional amendment to address this potential problem.

[Zodiak]

11. what is the rule

for the Irish? I never heard of this one...learned about Israel yesterday.

Sure does put Abramoff's recent flight to Israel in a new light. IS he Jewish, and if so, is he trying to avoid prosecution or hope for a lighter sentence?

I really don't know the answer to this, but I put no legal gymnastics beyond a neocon.

[neweurope]

6. Nobody'd take him. But seriously - I don't think that's too good an idea.

I'm German and I'm all FOR dual citizenship (which we don't allow). But not for a president or governor - I'd like to be secure knowing that he/she doesn't have to share his/her allegiances.

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Remember Fallujah

Bush to The Hague!

[bloom]

12. Seems to me

anyone could / should renounce any other citizenship to be President.

That doesn't preclude any American-born US citizen from being President and would mostly be a statement about where one's priorities lie.

If it were up to me - everyone would be citizen of every country and it wouldn't matter. But since that is not the case....

[Sandpiper]

17. I'm ok with Naturalized citizens running for President, provided that...

They renounce their citizenship to their nation of origin prior to running.

There should never be a question of divided loyalty in the person who would be our nation's Chief Executive.