A state legislator in Arizona is circulating a measure among her colleagues that would call for a constitutional convention to address whether Sen. Ted Cruz is eligible to run for president, The Arizona Republic reported.
The measure being floated by Republican state Rep. Kelly Townsend would have the state legislature request a constitutional convention to determine what the Constitution’s “natural born” requirement means. For such a constitutional convention to be convened, two-thirds of the state’s legislatures must request it.
The issue has come to the forefront of the 2016 campaign after Donald Trump re-invigorated accusations that because Sen. Ted Cruz was born in Canada, it’s possible he is not a natural born citizen and thus may be ineligible for the presidency.
Many legal scholars have argued that “natural born” applies to children born abroad to an American parent (in Cruz’s case, his mother), since they are citizens at the time of their birth and do not have to go to through a naturalization process. But some constitutional experts — including a few of Cruz’s defenders — say the question is still unsettled.
“Just define it!” Townsend said of her measure, according to the Arizona Republic.
I’m sure such a convention would go very smoothly, without any partisan rancor, and without getting tangled in other issues.
Yes, I’m a bit slow.
Looks like this is just the beginning of Ted’s not-so-excellent adventure.
Couldn’t happen to a more deserving slimeball.
Honestly, getting that question answered would be a good idea.
Getting it answered in the middle of a Presidential Primary, when the world couldn’t possibly get more partisan, is, of course a terrible idea.
But this is from an Arizona dimwit. So, you know.
So, they have already voted on the State Gun, so now it’s time to amend the federal constitution to let Cruz slither in.
True, but the way to do it would be to propose a Constitutional amendment, not to have a convention. In short, there’s no way to restrict a convention to addressing a single issue - once you’ve got a convention, they can turn their attention to absolutely anything. That would be a prescription for disaster.