A Constitutional Amendment has been introduced in the House of Representatives that would allow naturalized citizens to serve as President if they have been citizens for twenty years. This would allow Arnold Schwarzenegger to run for president, should it be ratified. Here is a link to an article on the subject.

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2002036961_amendment16.html

I think it is pretty obvious that this amendment is aimed at advancing the political career of one man. I think the Republicans are working on figuring out who to run in 2008. Other than that, I am not sure what I think of the idea. The original purpose was to allow only native born citizens to serve, because immigrants might not be culturally assimilated. They might still have ties to their country of origin. That could still be a problem, although not neccessarily in the case of Schwarzenegger. If passed, the next case could be more problematic.

Apparently, some idiot completely forgot why that rule was made in the first place. In this day and age when international borders are fuzzier than ever, it seems like that rule would be more important than ever. But I guess parties are willing to bend whatever rules they can in order to increase their chances to remain in power.

OMG, I just realized that I made a classical portrayal of a conservative!!! I chose order over freedom!!!

I believe this represents a first. For the first time we actually agree on something. I am stunned. And even more surprising, it is in opposition to something being pushed by some Republicans. I am glad to find that there are at least some Republicans who will not let political expedience overwhelm their common sense.

I really don't think this is anything to worry about. I seriously doubt that amendment will pass.

I would like to think it would not pass. But, these days its hard to say. Agenda overcomes prudence.

Winning has become more important than core beliefs. President Clinton showed that when he moved to the right in 1996, and the Republicans will prove it by nominating a moderate and rewriting their entire platform and pushing for this amendment for 2008.

It's difficult to imagine a constitutional amendment passing both houses of Congress, and getting ratified by 2/3 of the state legislatures before 2008. Even if it did I can't picture Arnold being a serious contender for President.

I hope the amendment won't pass. I myself will be an immigrant in short time but I don't agree any foreigner should be allow to run for US president.

This is hillarious. The gop can't stand the thought of having foreigners (UN) running the show in Iraq and giving orders to the american troops yet they are willing to just hand over the keys to our country to a foreigner (arnold is still a foreigner regardless of how many papers he has that say otherwise). ROTFLMAO

Heck, let's run Rev. Moon and Prince Bandar too.

Dop

By all the reports from various news agencies, this proposed amendment is meeting with very little support. And with good reason, IMO.

Mr. Freeze for President? Oh man...

Oh well. I only have 5 more years to go!

Lobby your elected officials in D.C. to work & vote against any constitutional amendment proposed that would allow some immigrant to become POTUS. Only those born here may lead the country.

Personally I don't see why an immigrant couldn't be a perfectly good president, assuming they're citizens of course. I wouldn't support an amendment at this time since, as has been pointed out, it's obviously aimed at one person who seems to govern by catchphrases.