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WASHINGTON - It's as old as the republic, and one of the first things that schoolchildren learn about the Constitution: If you want to be president of the United States, you have to be a 'natural born Citizen.' But this fall, Congress may consider two measures that seek to end the roadblock by amending the more than 200-year-old law of the land. Republican Sen. Orrin Hatch of Utah has proposed that any immigrant who has been a citizen for 20 years be eligible for the White House. Three House Democrats prefer 35 years, which is also how old someone must be to be president. 'This restriction is an anachronism that is decidedly un-American,' Hatch said when he introduced his measure last month. Coincidentally, the proposed constitutional amendments are being considered as the political world buzzes over Arnold Schwarzenegger's decision to enter politics. The Austrian-born box office hero is testing his celluloid fame by running for governor in California's recall election. But Hatch aide Margarita Tapia said the senator's measure was not crafted with Schwarzenegger, a fellow Republican from a state the GOP covets, or anyone else in mind. 'There are numerous examples of people throughout American history who have made contributions to this country who are beyond reproach that just happen to be born beyond the borders,' she said. Seven hundred recipients of the Medal of Honor were immigrants, she added. Eliminating the provision comes up infrequently, legal scholars said. Some of them have labeled it one of the 'stupidest' clauses in the Constitution, according to a collection of essays used in many law school curriculums called 'Constitutional Stupidities, Constitutional Tragedies.' But the issue has never seized the imagination of the political community or the public. Now, who knows?
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