Module 10 Discussion

Prompt

Article 2, Section 1 of the US Constitution states, in part, "No person except a natural born Citizen, or a Citizen of the United States, at the time of the Adoption of this Constitution, shall be eligible to the Office of President;…." However, the Constitution does not define "natural born Citizen." The general consensus is that "natural born" includes people born in the United States and those born in foreign countries to parents who are United States citizens. The Office of the President is the only position with this Constitutional mandate that s/he is a natural born citizen.

Why do you think it was important to include in the Constitution this requirement that the President is a natural born citizen? How does this requirement relate to contemporary America? What should be the qualifications for President? How would you go about changing the qualifications for President?