Active Users:1149 Time:22/11/2024 08:46:36 PM
Actually it wasn't my ass, it was an anti-Obama political blogging site's ass. TaskmasterJack Send a noteboard - 17/04/2011 03:56:35 AM
Which I mistakenly assumed had squeezed an actual fact into their birther tirade. That site was trying to blame Congress for failing in it's "customary duties". It turns out however, after further research on numerous other sites, that while the Constitution is clear on various factors of eligibility for Presidency, it is rather unclear on who those proofs of eligibility should be presented to, or what action, if anything, should be taken or by whom if a President were found to violate an eligibility rule.

Some of the sites I found angrily indicated that it is the responsibility of the various Secretarys of States to each vet the candidates on their State's ballots but that almost none of them bother and just assume each candidate is eligible if they progress far enough in the nomination process.

I thought Justice Benjamin R. Curtis' comments were interesting (although they pre-date the 14th Amendment):
"The Constitution having recognized that persons born within the several States are citizens of the United States, one of four things must be true:
First. That the constitution itself has described what native-born persons shall or shall not be citizens of such State, and thereby be citizens of the United States; or,
Second:. That it has empowered Congress to do so; or,
Third. That all free persons, born within the several States, are citizens of the United States; or,
Fourth. That it is left to each State to determine what free persons, born within its limits, shall be citizens of such State, and thereby be citizens of the United States."

Apparently, there is a statutory method wherein a President-elect's eligibility may be challenged by Congress, but I found nothing about what to do for sitting Presidents.

It's all very interesting, with very few definitive answers, and I admit it was my mistake in originally only checking a single website about "proof of Presidential eligibility" before posting. It did sound like something that would be probable... like Grant being buried in Grant's tomb.
This message last edited by TaskmasterJack on 17/04/2011 at 03:58:58 AM
Reply to message
WTF arizona? - 15/04/2011 04:28:19 PM 1940 Views
I think it's more payback than anything else, what exactly are you objecting to anyway? - 15/04/2011 04:46:17 PM 864 Views
Yeah, I'm going "wait, they didn't have to do that yet?" here as well. - 15/04/2011 08:40:44 PM 766 Views
It is a bit of an oversight not to have that - 15/04/2011 09:41:40 PM 947 Views
that's because they're morons. - 16/04/2011 03:36:54 AM 878 Views
Re: that's because they're morons. - 16/04/2011 04:27:04 AM 738 Views
I wouldn't ACTUALLY hunt boars with a boar spear, but that's because I'm too little - 16/04/2011 04:44:14 AM 908 Views
I think everyone's too little - 16/04/2011 02:20:29 PM 901 Views
it's the spirit, not the letter, of the law that i have a problem with - 15/04/2011 10:19:27 PM 825 Views
Surprisingly, many politicians are mean-spirited - 16/04/2011 02:31:37 AM 815 Views
if any of those examples were legislated by a state house, you'd have a stronger argument.... - 16/04/2011 07:23:49 AM 765 Views
I believe I gave you state examples already - 16/04/2011 01:55:37 PM 702 Views
it's moot at this point, but.... - 19/04/2011 05:31:29 AM 784 Views
I can't believe this thread is still going... - 20/04/2011 12:58:52 AM 870 Views
I call shenanigans on Seel - 15/04/2011 04:48:48 PM 811 Views
really becasue Obama has already produced enough documents to clear this bar - 17/04/2011 01:04:39 AM 790 Views
The article is wrong on one key point. Obama has not produced a birth certificate - 15/04/2011 04:50:21 PM 895 Views
Yes he has. Don't act like a fool. - 15/04/2011 05:02:58 PM 965 Views
sorry but it is not the same so don't act like a fool - 15/04/2011 06:04:19 PM 917 Views
It's clear that he was born in the US. - 15/04/2011 06:54:28 PM 872 Views
Care to point out where you believe I was defending them? - 15/04/2011 07:37:39 PM 834 Views
Re: sorry but it is not the same so don't act like a fool - 15/04/2011 10:45:03 PM 741 Views
Why is it racist? - 17/04/2011 12:49:02 AM 764 Views
What exactly is the difference between certificates? - 16/04/2011 12:13:04 AM 847 Views
One is the origianl document and one is a certificate created when it is requested. - 17/04/2011 12:44:27 AM 870 Views
Then you need be be more clear because that is not what you said. - 17/04/2011 03:14:03 AM 823 Views
OK I will try to be clearer - 18/04/2011 03:03:56 AM 819 Views
Why should he show it? - 16/04/2011 11:38:53 PM 773 Views
I personally have no problem with him not showing it - 17/04/2011 12:38:42 AM 893 Views
Presumably you want his certificate of stillbirth as well? - 16/04/2011 12:59:22 PM 803 Views
thanks for your contribution. They are all important no matter how small *NM* - 17/04/2011 12:50:55 AM 434 Views
thanks for your contribution. They are all important no matter how small *NM* - 17/04/2011 12:50:56 AM 399 Views
Actually - 15/04/2011 06:12:41 PM 874 Views
This - 15/04/2011 11:59:47 PM 725 Views
He already has - 16/04/2011 07:41:43 AM 846 Views
Don't we already do this? - 15/04/2011 06:24:29 PM 815 Views
actually there isn't - 15/04/2011 07:43:47 PM 883 Views
He did produce his Certificate of Live Birth and was approved to run for President. Case closed. - 16/04/2011 11:42:05 PM 855 Views
do you have link for that? *NM* - 17/04/2011 01:17:51 AM 418 Views
In all fairness to the discussion I do not. - 19/04/2011 04:24:30 AM 820 Views
It was a certificaTION of live birth and not a certificate - 19/04/2011 03:51:29 PM 964 Views
Which is a form of birth certificate - 20/04/2011 08:45:41 AM 898 Views
Meh, who cares? - 15/04/2011 07:31:22 PM 852 Views
we're the 14 year old boy of the U.S. *NM* - 16/04/2011 03:37:51 AM 389 Views
What's the problem? Show your birth certficate, problem solved. *NM* - 16/04/2011 03:32:37 AM 417 Views
problem was solved awhile ago when he produced his birth certificate. what are you holding onto? *NM* - 16/04/2011 07:29:39 AM 423 Views
Perhaps he's responding to the actual post, and not talking about Obama this time? *NM* - 16/04/2011 12:56:50 PM 393 Views
As per the Constitution, Congress already verifies eligibility. Of each President. - 16/04/2011 03:36:06 PM 803 Views
Which is why I would think even if this law passes it will be tossed as it should. - 16/04/2011 11:44:50 PM 786 Views
staes control who can be on their ballot *NM* - 17/04/2011 01:18:24 AM 394 Views
staes control who can be on their ballot *NM* - 17/04/2011 01:18:24 AM 413 Views
as per you pulled that out of your ass - 17/04/2011 01:16:15 AM 777 Views
Actually it wasn't my ass, it was an anti-Obama political blogging site's ass. - 17/04/2011 03:56:35 AM 846 Views
not only is no one in charge of making sure the president meets all the qualifications - 18/04/2011 02:51:16 AM 830 Views
To make things even more fun in this thread... - 18/04/2011 03:50:43 AM 863 Views
Re: To make things even more fun in this thread... - 19/04/2011 04:24:05 AM 746 Views
That wasn't the point - 21/04/2011 05:48:04 AM 790 Views
I am not a birther, but WTF makes you a nutjob for this? - 18/04/2011 08:40:15 AM 984 Views
read above, he has. *NM* - 18/04/2011 02:47:25 PM 394 Views
Provided a birth certificate? - 18/04/2011 02:51:56 PM 1183 Views
Why is a Certification of Live Birth insufficient? - 18/04/2011 08:43:34 PM 873 Views
No, actually - 19/04/2011 05:18:52 AM 915 Views
Re: No, actually - 19/04/2011 05:19:51 AM 892 Views
Since when is religion hereditary? - 19/04/2011 02:57:30 PM 921 Views
Re: Since when is religion hereditary? - 19/04/2011 03:10:27 PM 862 Views
Re: Since when is religion hereditary? - 19/04/2011 03:32:10 PM 953 Views
I don't think it's as strong a claim as you make it out to be - 19/04/2011 03:39:01 PM 1059 Views
I think it is for some people. - 19/04/2011 03:55:45 PM 748 Views
how many previous presidents have had to prove their place of birth? - 19/04/2011 04:34:42 PM 786 Views
with how many has it been in doubt? *NM* - 19/04/2011 05:08:18 PM 429 Views
why doubt this one beyond all others? *NM* - 19/04/2011 06:45:24 PM 376 Views
Brewer vetoes the bill! - 19/04/2011 02:31:50 AM 1000 Views
yay, she's not as much of a nutjob as i once thought she was! - 19/04/2011 04:28:05 AM 881 Views
yes she is, don't let her fool you *NM* - 19/04/2011 04:31:10 PM 342 Views
i didn't say she's not, just not as much as i thought before *NM* - 19/04/2011 04:37:34 PM 388 Views
good. maybe they will move on to more important things *NM* - 19/04/2011 02:41:34 PM 354 Views

Reply to Message