Should the 61st amendment be changed for the governator?

Grim Bongmaster · #1 (**permalink**) 11-09-2004, 08:42 AM

President Arnold Schwarzenegger?
As Arnold Schwarzenegger launches his political career, it's worth recalling a scene from the film "Demolition Man," which takes place in the year 2026. As Sandra Bullock attempts to bring Sylvester Stallone up to speed on what has happened in the world in the last 30 years, she refers to the Schwarzenegger Presidential Library.

Stallone: "Hold it! The Schwarzenegger Library?"
Bullock: "Yes, the Schwarzenegger Presidential Library. Wasn't he an actor?"
Stallone: "Stop! He was President?"
Bullock: "Yes. Even though he was not born in this country, his popularity at the time caused the 61st Amendment…"

Pure Hollywood fiction, right? Not if Sen. Orrin Hatch has anything to say about it.

WASHINGTON — Sen. Orrin Hatch is pushing a constitutional amendment that could allow his pal, fund-raising helper and potential California gubernatorial candidate Arnold Schwarzenegger, to also run for U.S. president someday.

Orrin Hatch

Arnold Schwarzenegger

Hatch, R-Utah, introduced without fanfare last week an amendment to allow foreign-born people who have been naturalized U.S. citizens for at least 20 years to run for president. Currently, only native-born citizens may run for president.
Hatch spokeswoman Margarita Tapia said the legislation was not drafted with Schwarzenegger or anyone else specifically in mind when Hatch came up with the 20-year requirement. "It was a policy judgment not associated with any one individual," she said.
Schwarzenegger, the Austrian-born star of the current "Terminator 3" and numerous other hit movies, has been publicly toying with the idea of running for governor of California.
Former actor Ronald Reagan did the same before also rising to the White House — something the Constitution would not allow Schwarzenegger (who has appeared at fund-raisers for Hatch) to even think about unless Hatch's amendment passes.
In a statement Hatch gave to introduce his legislation, which is titled the Equal Opportunity to Govern Amendment, he said many foreign-born citizens of all parties are loyal Americans who should have a legal opportunity to be considered for president.
"These include former secretaries of state Henry Kissinger and Madeleine Albright; current Cabinet members Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao and Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Mel Martinez; as well as Jennifer Granholm, the governor of Michigan and bright young star of the Democratic Party," he said.
Also, he noted that thousands of foreign-born members of the military now never could be elected to lead the country for which they fought. "No matter how great their sacrifice, leadership or love for this country, they remain ineligible to be a candidate for president. This amendment would remove this unfounded inequity," he said.
Hatch, a one-time presidential candidate himself, said the restriction against foreign-born candidates is "an anachronism that is decidedly un-American."
He said it received scant debate during the Constitutional Convention but said it was apparently driven "by the concern that a European monarch, such as King George III's second son, the Duke of York, might be imported to the United States" to rule.
Hatch noted that no similar requirement bars service by naturalized citizens in Congress, the Supreme Court or the presidential Cabinet.
"I believe the time has now come to address the antiquated provision of the Constitution that requires our president to be a natural born citizen. It has long outlived its original purpose," Hatch said.
A constitutional amendment must pass both houses of Congress by two-thirds votes and then be ratified by three-fourths of the state legislatures to become law. The amendment was referred for consideration to the Senate Judiciary Committee, which Hatch chairs.

BillyBritPop · #2 (**permalink**) 11-09-2004, 03:50 PM

This should not be changed. Arnold Schwartzenegger is still nothing more then an actor! He was lucky to have Gray Davis as his opponent! But the republican party would love to change this to suit their needs. And what are those needs? A popular candidate in four, eight, twelve years. I will give the governator this, he went against the right in stem cell research which is possibly the best thing he will do for the California!

Gilligan · #3 (**permalink**) 11-09-2004, 05:20 PM

I agree. I dont think arnold has the experence needed to be the president.

I think about the 61st like i think i about the 2nd. No, we do not need to change them.

Mr Skinner · #4 (**permalink**) 11-09-2004, 05:25 PM

An austrian for american president...I seriously doubt there could be anything worse

P.s.: Gotta wave the sarcasm flag...since not everyone knows the relationship between us germans and austrians

4Degrees · #5 (**permalink**) 11-10-2004, 12:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gilligan

I agree. I dont think arnold has the experence needed to be the president.

And Mr. Bush does? Look at his history... one word: failure.

Anyway, I dont really care. As long as his plans are decent, it would be funny to have the terminator as our president.

Gilligan · #6 (**permalink**) 11-10-2004, 12:41 AM

errrr, i didnt even vote for bush, so why are you asking me? Although, i wouldnt say his political career is a failure, he did win the election again....

Arnold is in his first position of power ever. He has never had a job in the government, so i dont think 4 years of being a governor would be enough experence for him to run for president.

For the republicans, i would like to see rudy or mccain run i guess. I would really like zel miller to come to the rep, since the liberal half of the democrats have drivin him and other moderates away. I think miller running as a republican would win 60% of the vote. He acts more on his own than what his party thinks.

Miller 08!. Id vote for him if he ran as a dem. as well.

Peace Frog · #7 (**permalink**) 11-10-2004, 03:24 AM

It's a sad state of affairs when we could possibly have the terminator as a president before having a female president or even a black or latino president. Governors are what gets elected however. Being an actor would probably help him out or at least it helped Reagan.

cowofsteel · #8 (**permalink**) 11-10-2004, 03:33 AM

looking at the idea of as a whole, not just the governator, I would say its a good idea... If someone has the right ideas and the leadership skills to run this country, I say let them run... As for arnold, his views wouldn't get my vote, and I don't really care about much else

View Poll Results: Should the 61st ammendment be changed?
Yes	1	12.50%
No	7	87.50%
Voters: 8. You may not vote on this poll

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Site links

FAQ

Important

Extra

#1 (permalink) 11-09-2004, 08:42 AM
Grim Bongmaster Banned Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Aux Arcs Posts: 2,361	Should the 61st amendment be changed for the governator? President Arnold Schwarzenegger? As Arnold Schwarzenegger launches his political career, it's worth recalling a scene from the film "Demolition Man," which takes place in the year 2026. As Sandra Bullock attempts to bring Sylvester Stallone up to speed on what has happened in the world in the last 30 years, she refers to the Schwarzenegger Presidential Library. Stallone: "Hold it! The Schwarzenegger Library?" Bullock: "Yes, the Schwarzenegger Presidential Library. Wasn't he an actor?" Stallone: "Stop! He was President?" Bullock: "Yes. Even though he was not born in this country, his popularity at the time caused the 61st Amendment…" Pure Hollywood fiction, right? Not if Sen. Orrin Hatch has anything to say about it. WASHINGTON — Sen. Orrin Hatch is pushing a constitutional amendment that could allow his pal, fund-raising helper and potential California gubernatorial candidate Arnold Schwarzenegger, to also run for U.S. president someday. Orrin Hatch Arnold Schwarzenegger Hatch, R-Utah, introduced without fanfare last week an amendment to allow foreign-born people who have been naturalized U.S. citizens for at least 20 years to run for president. Currently, only native-born citizens may run for president. Hatch spokeswoman Margarita Tapia said the legislation was not drafted with Schwarzenegger or anyone else specifically in mind when Hatch came up with the 20-year requirement. "It was a policy judgment not associated with any one individual," she said. Schwarzenegger, the Austrian-born star of the current "Terminator 3" and numerous other hit movies, has been publicly toying with the idea of running for governor of California. Former actor Ronald Reagan did the same before also rising to the White House — something the Constitution would not allow Schwarzenegger (who has appeared at fund-raisers for Hatch) to even think about unless Hatch's amendment passes. In a statement Hatch gave to introduce his legislation, which is titled the Equal Opportunity to Govern Amendment, he said many foreign-born citizens of all parties are loyal Americans who should have a legal opportunity to be considered for president. "These include former secretaries of state Henry Kissinger and Madeleine Albright; current Cabinet members Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao and Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Mel Martinez; as well as Jennifer Granholm, the governor of Michigan and bright young star of the Democratic Party," he said. Also, he noted that thousands of foreign-born members of the military now never could be elected to lead the country for which they fought. "No matter how great their sacrifice, leadership or love for this country, they remain ineligible to be a candidate for president. This amendment would remove this unfounded inequity," he said. Hatch, a one-time presidential candidate himself, said the restriction against foreign-born candidates is "an anachronism that is decidedly un-American." He said it received scant debate during the Constitutional Convention but said it was apparently driven "by the concern that a European monarch, such as King George III's second son, the Duke of York, might be imported to the United States" to rule. Hatch noted that no similar requirement bars service by naturalized citizens in Congress, the Supreme Court or the presidential Cabinet. "I believe the time has now come to address the antiquated provision of the Constitution that requires our president to be a natural born citizen. It has long outlived its original purpose," Hatch said. A constitutional amendment must pass both houses of Congress by two-thirds votes and then be ratified by three-fourths of the state legislatures to become law. The amendment was referred for consideration to the Senate Judiciary Committee, which Hatch chairs.

#2 (permalink) 11-09-2004, 03:50 PM
BillyBritPop Banned Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Wherever you are not Posts: 45	This should not be changed. Arnold Schwartzenegger is still nothing more then an actor! He was lucky to have Gray Davis as his opponent! But the republican party would love to change this to suit their needs. And what are those needs? A popular candidate in four, eight, twelve years. I will give the governator this, he went against the right in stem cell research which is possibly the best thing he will do for the California!

#3 (permalink) 11-09-2004, 05:20 PM
Gilligan Banned Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: GA Posts: 1,804	I agree. I dont think arnold has the experence needed to be the president. I think about the 61st like i think i about the 2nd. No, we do not need to change them.

#4 (permalink) 11-09-2004, 05:25 PM
Mr Skinner High Society Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: West Coast Posts: 2,940	An austrian for american president...I seriously doubt there could be anything worse P.s.: Gotta wave the sarcasm flag...since not everyone knows the relationship between us germans and austrians __________________ Marijuana doesn't lead to other drugs - it leads to carpentry! Denis Leary

#6 (permalink) 11-10-2004, 12:41 AM
Gilligan Banned Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: GA Posts: 1,804	errrr, i didnt even vote for bush, so why are you asking me? Although, i wouldnt say his political career is a failure, he did win the election again.... Arnold is in his first position of power ever. He has never had a job in the government, so i dont think 4 years of being a governor would be enough experence for him to run for president. For the republicans, i would like to see rudy or mccain run i guess. I would really like zel miller to come to the rep, since the liberal half of the democrats have drivin him and other moderates away. I think miller running as a republican would win 60% of the vote. He acts more on his own than what his party thinks. Miller 08!. Id vote for him if he ran as a dem. as well.

#7 (permalink) 11-10-2004, 03:24 AM
Peace Frog I'm a spy Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 316	It's a sad state of affairs when we could possibly have the terminator as a president before having a female president or even a black or latino president. Governors are what gets elected however. Being an actor would probably help him out or at least it helped Reagan. __________________ "We have been the cowards, lobbing cruise missiles from 2,000 miles away. That's cowardly. Staying in the airplane when it hits the building, say what you want about it, it's not about cowardly." -Bill Maher

#8 (permalink) 11-10-2004, 03:33 AM
cowofsteel Local Join Date: May 2002 Location: WI Posts: 3,034	looking at the idea of as a whole, not just the governator, I would say its a good idea... If someone has the right ideas and the leadership skills to run this country, I say let them run... As for arnold, his views wouldn't get my vote, and I don't really care about much else __________________

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)