PA Bill Number: HB335
Title: In inchoate crimes, further providing for prohibited offensive weapons.
Description: In inchoate crimes, further providing for prohibited offensive weapons. ...
Last Action: Removed from table
Last Action Date: May 1, 2024
Don't Count on Cruz 'Natural Born Citizen' Controversy to Just Go Away :: 03/31/2016
USA – -(Ammoland.com)- With Ted Cruz taking a substantial polling lead in Wisconsin, Donald Trump’s chances of amassing enough delegates to clinch the party’s presidential nomination in advance of the RNC Convention are becoming increasingly problematic.
![What's the difference? [Graphic by Alan Korwin]](http://www.ammoland.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/1-Cruz-Hashim-Sm.png?82f155 "What's the difference? [Graphic by Alan Korwin]")
What’s the difference? [Graphic by Alan Korwin]
Substantial numbers of self-identified conservatives are rallying behind Cruz, as are some prominent “establishment” GOP types who have previously been hostile to the Texas senator, but who are now desperate to keep Trump from winning.
Significantly, due to his excellent record on the right to keep and bear arms, Gun Owners of America has given Cruz its enthusiastic support.
Two major issues now face him, either one of which could derail Cruz’s candidacy: Unfolding allegations of marital infidelity, especially now that he is enjoying a considerable polling advantage with Republican women in Wisconsin, and the fact that he was born in Canada and, until recently, held dual citizenship. The Constitution requires the president to be a “natural born Citizen,” albeit it doesn’t go into detail on what that means.
The controversy has not been dying down, even though presumptive legal challenges to date have resulted in judgments favoring Cruz’s eligibility. Those on both sides of the issue can come up with legal arguments that seem compelling depending on the predisposition of those hearing them. Being neither legal scholars nor historians, many have arrived at their beliefs based on what they want, or on faith in those making the arguments.
We may not have heard the last word from the courts either, leaving open the question of what Republicans will do if Cruz wins the nomination and his eligibility is challenged by the Democrats. While some conservatives argue they wouldn’t dare, because that would open the door to resurrecting questions about Obama, that contention is more a matter of opinion than anything else. The prize is the one that lies ahead, not behind, and people who crave power will dare much.
One gun rights advocate who has put himself out there, risking the ire of die-hard Cruz supporters, is prolific author and activist Alan Korwin.
“Should We Elect an American President?” he asks in a detailed article with source citations subtitled “The ‘Natural Born Citizen’ Issue Explained.’
“It’s not a court issue,” he maintains. “[T]he Founders defined it—we’ve just forgotten.”
Korwin’s conclusion?
The Founders wanted and specified a totally American president: two citizen parents and born here. It is documented beyond reproach in the historical record.
The thing is, saying it’s not a court issue doesn’t mean it won’t end up there. But before it does, there’s something only Ted Cruz can do that could potentially change the legal opinions of those who are currently on record backing his eligibility. Per The North American Law Center:
At present, all FOIA (Freedom of Information Act) requests filed in search of any U.S. citizenship documents to confirm the true official U.S. citizenship status of Ted Cruz have been denied access. All citizenship records for Ted Cruz are sealed unless and until Ted Cruz agrees to allow any such records to be released by either U.S. or Canadian agencies.
This is the point where a lot of angry objections could be raised that really do nothing more than question motives or attempt to kill the messenger. Those interested in the truth, whichever way it shakes out, will recognize those for what they are: distractions.
The question that matters: Is that true? Has Cruz sealed records, and might they contain information that could change supporter’s opinions?
The only one who can answer that, and do it now, before everything blows up in the faces of his supporters, is Ted Cruz. He should release all documents that could shed light without delay. If he’s certain of his legal position, why wouldn’t he?
Not doing so will only lead to speculation that they would reveal considerations that could make rulings go the other way. Besides, he owes full disclosure on this to everyone supporting and pinning their hopes on him, as well as to all Americans.
True, nothing he does will alter any of the arguments Korwin makes. But it can show if those who argue in Cruz’s favor have based their premises on the totality of what the documents reveal.
In a nutshell: Assume you’re an employer with a job opening. You ask a candidate for documentation on background information needed to meet required hiring qualifications. He refuses to produce it, and ignores or deflects when you press.
How do you hire him without violating mandatory policy, which in this case, would be the Constitution?
About David Codrea:
David Codrea is the winner of multiple journalist awards for investigating / defending the RKBA and a long-time gun rights advocate who defiantly challenges the folly of citizen disarmament.
He blogs at “The War on Guns: Notes from the Resistance,” and also posts on Twitter: @dcodrea and Facebook.
