March 10, 2005

Street Talk by Carol Rosen

How do you feel about the campaign to amend the U.S. Constitution to allow people not born in this country to run for president? It’s referred to as the Amend for Arnold movement.
(Asked at Almaden Center)

“I’d vote for Arnold for just about anything! Regarding this question, I think if a person goes through the process to become a citizen they should be able to run for government offices and president. They actually learn and know more about our country and government than a lot of natural citizens do. Maybe the law needs to be they need to be a citizen for a certain number of years before they can run. As for the possibility of a terrorist then running for office, that could also happen with a “natural citizen.” That, of course is a huge concern in our country these days. Would I vote for Arnold for president?  Yes I would, and I think he’d make a great president and Maria a great first lady.”

Joyce Woodruff, 54
Almaden
Homemaker


“No, I don’t believe in an amendment like that. Those who want to be president should be born in the United States. If that [amendment] happens, then all the foreigners will take over, and we’ll be in more trouble that we already are. I voted for him [Schwarzenegger] for governor, but I wouldn’t vote for him for president.”

Charles Camilleri, 70
Almaden
Retired


“I don’t think it’s a problem. It should have been done before, like 20 or 30 years ago. I don’t see it as an issue, but its disturbing coming up just for Arnold [Schwarzenegger]. He’s done some good for California. It’s really not an issue, the only issue for right now is the push for it just to put Schwarzenegger into the presidency.”

Mark Gardiner, 58
Almaden
Retired


“I think how long a person has lived in this county should make the difference. If he’s only been here for six months, then no, it’s not a good idea. If he’s lived here most of his life, then it’s a different story. I could possibly vote for Arnold. It depends on who he’s running against, who’s the other candidate.”

Don Jenkins, 50
Gilroy
Construction


“You know what; I support that [process]. It’s not just for our current governor because you don’t amend the constitution for a single person. Throughout U.S. history, there have been quite a few people who would have made good presidents, but we couldn’t elect them because they weren’t born here. I think you have to be a citizen first, but after that it doesn’t matter. During the McCarthy era, maybe not because everyone was frightened of communism and you didn’t know enough about people. But now that the press digs into everyone’s life and learns everything possible about a person, I think it would be okay.”

Leslie Rousseau, 47
Almaden
Homemaker


“It would please my son. He came home from school one day and said he wanted to be president of the United States when he grew up, and I told him he couldn’t because he was born in England. We just got our green cards and we can’t apply for citizenship for another five years. I think if a person is going to do a lot for the country, then it may be a good idea, but that’s one criterion to use.”

Sarah Smith, 38
Almaden
Homemaker


“I think it would be OK if the person resided here for a while, and was able to know his or her constituents. The candidate would have to live here long enough to know what’s beneficial for the country and who understands the true issues that he faces. I think there should be at least a minimum amount of time that a foreign-born person has lived here before he or she can run. I don’t think you have to be raised as a politician, but you do have to be able to represent all the people.”

Denise Johnson, 40
Almaden
Accounting/finance manager


“I’m OK with it, because the objective would be that the candidate has been in this country for a long time and worked hard to become a citizen and takes pride in the country he now calls home. Then it’s up to us to decide if the candidate is qualified or not.”

Yana Mogannam, 38
Almaden
Homemaker