Why must the POTUS be "natural born?"

While I fully realize that the U.S. Constitution is specific to the issue of the President being a "natural born" citizen, the questions begs, why?

I don't want to get into "birther" nonsense about politicians or the ancient concern that another country would install its nobility as head of the U.S. Government. Can someone please explain that if a well qualified candidate who happens to have been born as a non-U.S. citizen, why would that disqualify him/her from the Office of the President?

It would seem that we are eliminating what may be great leadership simply because of their place of birth.

Yours thoughts?

Cheers,
Jason Bourne

 

You answered your own question even though you claimed not to like that answer

 

King George died many centuries ago. Although I can think of quite a few Brits who would do a better job than our current President. And thanks for your insightful non-answer.

Cheers,
Jason Bourne

 

Call it Xenophobic if you like but Americans have historically NOT liked the idea of foreign governments controlling us.

Well until recently anyway

 

An excellent question. Probably "natural born" in context in 1787, reflected some sense among the founders that the US was in its infancy, and they were suspicious of foreign persons. Combined with the last sentence of Section 9 of Article I of the Constitution, "no title of nobility", it shows mistrust of too powerful individuals.

It wasn't an issue then, but I wonder what they would think of today's situation in which certain members of the government enjoy dual citizenship. When push comes to shove, with which country does the man align when he claims citizenship in two different countries?

 

A loyalty oath would address that question. As an example, we've had foreign nationals serve in our military and in key government positions. Henry Kissinger as an example. They take an oath of loyalty to the United States and its Constitution.

It just seems that we dismiss some very well qualified political talent simply because they weren't born within political boundaries.

Cheers,
Jason Bourne

 

A natural born president limits the chances of divided loyalties.

I thought this was pretty obvious.

 

Explain "divided loyalties" as it relates to the need of a natural born citizen, please.

Cheers,
Jason Bourne

 

For one thing, it would be inconvenient for a President to be eligible for the draft in another country. Since Obama's father was not a citizen at the time of Obama's birth (or ever), that might have been a possibility. Since Kenya was a British colony at the time of Obama's birth, he might have been drafted into the British armed forces. Might not have been a bad thing. He may have learned some discipline.

Also, the founders were concerned about a president having multiple allegiances. That concern was made credible by Obama who picked Americans' pockets to give his countrymen $517M in 2009, up from $255 in 2008. His generosity with money stolen from the American people peaked at $645M in 2012. Clearly, his allegiance was to Kenya.

 

Interesting. I seriously doubt that a foreign country would require the POTUS to reply to a military draft.

Ah, the senseless and foolish reference to Obama. Just the sort of idiocy that I feared would pollute this thread.

Cheers,
Jason Bourne

 

You really think saying a few magic words would change anything?

 

If one wants to be a globalist and live in a globalist nation, then I guess it would be no problem being ruled by someone from a foreign land. In America, we have a culture we embrace It is unlike no other. The majority have assimilated into that culture. For our leaders, we desire a person that has grown up in the land. Has tasted of our greatness and become a part of us. We recently experienced "Barrack Hussein Obama" whose very name represents an entire different culture. He grew up in a home where his mother and father (who was hardly around) embraced a political idea that is far from our own. I won't argue the origin from where he exited the womb. I don't think anyone really knows. It is too suspicious. He did spend most of his early years in Kenya and even referred to himself as a "Kenyan". Sure, liberals are always crying out for "diversity". We have that in America, but we speak with one voice, "E Pluribus Unim". Obama, as a result of his upbringing, tried to lead us to a different place.

Personally I can easily see why it is necessary to be a natural born citizen.

 

Magic words? Have you given up on the concepts of honor and dignity? I realize that our current President has, but have you?

Cheers,
Jason Bourne

 

A birther. And not one word about the subject of this thread. Typical birther nonsense. Why even try to start an intelligent thread?

Cheers,
Jason Bourne

 

Birthers live!

 

Sorry but people lie. Magic words have no power

 

It was feared that some popular foreign military officers who fought on behalf of U.S. independence might parlay their popularity and connections into a run for president. IIRC, Baron Von Steuben (Prussia) was one that was considered to be a possible example. Though the father of the American Army had no political aspirations whatsoever.

 

You need to be specific. It is cowardly to cast accusations without it.

 

A cowardly progressive cannot state specifics. The 1st paragraph expressed exactly why the Potus needs to be Natural Born. Were you fishing for globalist ideology when you started this thread? Or were you honestly looking for answers? It seems to be the way of the "snowflake".

 

One of those things which I wouldn't have felt motivated to put in, but don't feel motivated to take out either. I see good points on both sides of the debate.

 

I just don't understand why the President must be "natural born." Why? Please?

Cheers,
Jason Bourne

 

Asked and answered

 

Would a German born President be able to lead the country and convince the American people that he was serious about fighting and winning World War II? Would a German born President have been OK with firebombing Dresden? I think the divided loyalties issues is a big one.

 

Indeed. as other great leaders in history have declared, they were NOT natural born. I think EVEN JESUS did.