Post by Sancho PanzaPost by JoseABC News (blog) -
On Thursday night, Romney mentioned the fact that his father was born
in Mexico in response to Gingrich's allegations that he is "anti-
immigrant," which raises the question: If George Romney was born in
Mexico, how could he run for president?
http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&frm=1&source=newssearch&cd=37&ved=0CE4QqQIwBjge&url=http%3A%2F%2Fabcnews.go.com%2Fblogs%2Fpolitics%2F2012%2F01%2Fhow-mitt-romneys-mexican-born-father-was-eligible-to-be-president%2F&ei=fsAmT4K9I8SnsAKzs7iMAg&usg=AFQjCNHSiRnWM4UgSN9lpPCu01sCxJ87fw
Post by Sancho PanzaThe article is facile and not entirely accurate. That part about
"consensus" is entire BS hot air. Children born to American citizens
overseas are usually registered in the consulate at birth as citizens.
Full citizens in every meaning and sense of the term. And that has never
been successfully legally challenged.
However, as he was NOT born in country (nor to parents serving our
militiary or diplomatic services; the only exception), George Romney was
NOT a natural born citizen despite the fact he was a citizen at birth.
Having two citizen parents alone isn't enough to be an NBC.
However, as he was not elected, there was no problem.
I do agree that he was ineligible to run for the Presidency.
To be a natural citizen, all three of the following must agree (with each
other):
- Citizenship of the father.
- Citizenship of the mother.
- Country of birth.*
* - Only birthplace has a recognized exception, and that exception occurs
ONLY when a parent is in the military or diplomatic service of his country.
For diplomats, it's by international agreement and an extension of the same
concept that "diplomatic immunity" comes from. For military, all countries
deny citizenship to children born to occupying forces within their borders.
George Romney fails on birthplace (as neither parent was in U.S. military
service nor a diplomat). However, he was born a U.S. citizen nonetheless;
just not an NBC.
Barack Obama Jr. fails because his parents have differing citizenships. He
might be a U.S. citizen at birth (unconfirmed and contested) but definently
not an NBC.
John McCain passes because his parents have the same citizenship and his
father was a military officer assigned to the occupying force of the Panama
Canal Zone. He is an NBC regardless of his precise birthplace (a CZ
hospital, or even in Panama City) due to the recognized international
exception.