Gov. George Romney
Sen. Ted Cruz faces questions -- thanks to the Donald --over whether he's a "natural born citizen" and is constitutionally eligible to run for president.
He was born in Calgary, Canada in 1970 where his father, who was Cuban born, was working for an oil company at the time. His mother was born in Delaware.
Louise Dufresne of CBS writes that Michigan Gov. George Romney -- father of Mitt -- faced similar questions of naturalization and addressed it on "Face the Nation" back in 1966, when he was considering a run for president.
Here's the exchange on Face the Nation:
Face The Nation: Governor, there is one point that continually perplexes people who think they would like to see George Romney running for the Presidency and that is the fact that you were born in Mexico and lived there for the first five years of your life. The Constitution, as you know, says natural born citizens are eligible for the Presidency. Have you ever researched the point? Are you sure you could serve if elected as President?
GOVERNOR ROMNEY: Well, I know some others have researched it and I understand that in those instances they have concluded that a citizen born of American parents is a natural born citizen. Now I know I was naturally born--my mother only had a midwife so I don't think there is any question about my being naturally born. I was born an American citizen because both my parents were American citizens.
On the show, Romney added a little levity about being naturally born.
"My mother only had a midwife so I don't think there is any question about my being naturally born."
The CBS article stated:
Romney faced probing questions about his own "natural born" status. Back in 1967, House Judiciary Committee Chairman Rep. Emanuel Celler said he had "serious doubts" about whether Romney was eligible for the Presidency. Ultimately his perspective was outweighed by other legal scholars who argued that he was eligible under the Nationalization Act of 1790, which states that the children of citizens of the United States "shall be considered as natural born citizens." Romney didn't get far enough in the race for the legality to be tested.
Romney served as governor from Romney faced probing questions about his own "natural born" status. Back in 1967, House Judiciary Committee Chairman Rep. Emanuel Celler said he had "serious doubts" about whether Romney was eligible for the Presidency. Ultimately his perspective was outweighed by other legal scholars who argued that he was eligible under the Nationalization Act of 1790, which states that the children of citizens of the United States "shall be considered as natural born citizens." Romney didn't get far enough in the race for the legality to be tested.
Romney served as governor from 1963-69. -- Allan Lengel
