Birther II.

I could never be elected president of these divided states of America. Not because I wouldn't love to lead this great nation, but because I was born in Jamaica to Jamaican parents. Being married to an American (bless my wife's American born and bred heart) does not make me anymore qualified.  Article Two of the Constitution clearly states that the person must be a natural-born citizen of the United States and must have been a permanent resident of the United States of America for at least 14 years, and that each candidate must be at least 35 years of age. 

Which brings me to our friend, Ted Cruz. Ted is the closest presidential contender on the republican side to Donald trump, and now it seems that Ted, like president Obama before him, has come under some birther fire from the orange colored one. Let's call this Birther II.

“Republicans are going to have to ask themselves the question: ‘Do we want a candidate who could be tied up in court for two years?’ That’d be a big problem,” Trump said when asked about the topic. “It’d be a very precarious one for Republicans because he’d be running and the courts may take a long time to make a decision. You don’t want to be running and have that kind of thing over your head.”

This is a hell of a time for Donald to go birther. Just when Cruz is gaining some ground on him in the polls. Although I must say that I was wondering when this would happen. Trump made no bones about believing that our current president is not legitimate. But if you objectively compare Obama to Cruz you will have to say that the president checks off way more boxes when it comes to qualifications to be president than Cruz. Born on American soil? Check. Parents are citizens? Check. (At least one of them.) 35 Years old? Check. Resident of the United States for 14 years. Check. Lived  Let's examine Mr. Cruz. Born to American citizens. Check. (At least one of them.) 35 years old? Check. Resident of the Unites States for 14 years? Check. Born on American soil? Nope. Can't check this one. In fact, Ted Cruz just renounced his Canadian citizenship a couple of years ago. Canada is a nice country, and we share a lot of things, but it isn't America.

Let's be clear, legal experts have pretty much said that there should be no problem with Ted Cruz becoming president, but the courts have not ruled on the case of ted Cruz, and while we can assume that the courts will say that he is a "natural born citizen; we just can't say for sure. 

The case of President Obama is different. The facts are beyond dispute: He is a "natural born citizen".

Anyway, Ted Cruz, like president Obama before him, will probably have to deal with some birhter questions from trump for the foreseeable future. This of course will be a harder sell to trump's rabid base. Because, let's face it, to them president Obama just looks a lot more foreign than Ted Cruz.  

*Pic from salon.com