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Cenk Uygur running for president. Allowed?

george48

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Young Turks founder Cenk Uygur is running for president as I am sure a lot of you know.

The question is, is he allowed to?

Conventional wisdom says no, because the original text of the constitution says no.

Cenk's arguing, that the 14th amendment changed that, since it says all persons born or naturalized have due process right and equal protection. I guess he stipulates that naturalized citizens should be euqal to natural born americans in any way, and are made so by the 14th.

I think it is an intersting idea. I don't know one way or the other, but sure I think there is some merit.

And also, just why would it be a problem for someone to run the US who was grew up in your country from age 6, like he did. Or even Schwarzenegger, who I think came to your shores at like 18, as long as they are citizens.

Again, I don't know, and courts should decide, but it is interesting none the less.

So two questions are:

1. Is Cenk legally right?

2. Should naturalized citizens be allowed to run?
 
Lots of wasted votes in swing states that were Biden voters in 2020.
 
Loulit01 said:
He can't run. Well, I guess he can run but he can never hold the office.
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I agree mostly. Still, I think his case is not without any merit. But, yeah, probably his case does not hold water in the courts.

But the second one was should he?
 
Linc said:
It is the answer to its effect on Biden.
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That was still not the questions.

They were on the law and your opinions on wether a naturalized citizens of the US should be allowed to run.

But also Cenk prolly won't get many votes, but one never knows.
 
I kinda enjoy his commentary sometimes, even if he is a bombastic blowhard. He quite often says good progressive things.

But, I think, while not without merit, his case will most likely fail in courts.
 
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No on both counts.

The 14th did not eliminate the established qualifications for the presidency in the Constitution. I hope he wins the case, President Obama would be able to run for a third term.
 
mrjurrs said:
No on both counts.

The 14th did not eliminate the established qualifications for the presidency in the Constitution. I hope he wins the case, President Obama would be able to run for a third term.
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I appreciate a frank answer. Props. (And an opinon on the questions actually asked)
 
Rich2018 said:
He wasn't a natural born American, so no, he cannot be president.
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Thanks for the straight forward answer.

Second is, do you think naturalized citizens should be allowed?
 
george48 said:
Sorry, I meant if you think naturalized citizens should be allowed to run?
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anyone can run. Only natural born citizens can be president.
 
No. The amendment did not change the qualifications for president which are there for good reason. That said Cenk can run for any other office. No body will complain and he may even get elected.
 
george48 said:
1. Is Cenk legally right?
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No. A general statement doesn't override a different, specific prohibition. If a specific provision of the Constitution is to be repealed, it must be specifically stated in the repealing amendment.

george48 said:
2. Should naturalized citizens be allowed to run?
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Sure. I think if 35 years of citizenship is good enough for a native American, it's good enough for a naturalized one. Maybe require renunciation of any other nationalities, but I'm not wedded to the idea.
 
Cenk is not eligible nor will he (nor should he) win his court case.

That being said.

I would be amenable to amending the Constitution to permit naturalized citizens to run for President. If they are naturalized by age 18, they would become eligible at 35 same as natural born citizens. If they were naturalized after 18, they would become eligible 20 years after their naturalization date.
 
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