No on any Clinton or Bush in 2008

US News is carrying this gossip item in its latest issue:

Here's the long shot of the year: Congressional Democrats will OK a constitutional amendment allowing naturalized citizens like California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger to run for president if Republicans help kill the 22nd Amendment barring third terms, thus clearing the way for another bid by Bill Clinton and, presumably, President Bush. Right now it's the talk among political strategists, but look for it to spread on Capitol Hill when Sen. Orrin Hatch reintroduces his plan to let naturalized citizens run for president after 20 years.

Now, there's no question that this is unlikely to happen. But it's still worth reiterating why it's such a stupid idea. The calcification of the American political system is a serious problem. Family-based ties have become more important in recent years both in Congress and at the presidential level. Bush or Clinton family dynasties are bad for the country; the system needs to be continually infused with new leaders and new ideas. The last thing we need is the same person holding the presidency for 12 or 16 years -- even if they can get the votes. We have a larger societal interest in a dynamic political system. Just say no.

(I'm still a huge supporter of amending the Constitution to let naturalized citizens for president, but the deal to make it happen needs to get done a different way, such as having the amendment not take effect for a certain number of years.)

Comments

[Catherine]

I completely disagree with letting Naturalized citizens run for President. Why do you support it?