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White House should go ‘commando’

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Wednesday, October 11, 2006

America: The Land of Opportunity. Just not for our foreign-born citizens hoping to run for president.

While our fine country has built a reputation on making room for the poor huddled masses, political refugees and anyone willing to work for less than minimum wage, at times we deny some Americans their rightful opportunities. One such example is that we are not allowing one of our greatest national treasures to be all he can be for the U.S.A.

That man, of course, is Arnold Schwarzenegger, governor of California, master of the one-liner and king of double fisting assault rifles. Arnold has been a U.S. citizen since 1983, longer than most people reading this column, yet the Constitution says that he can't ever become president of the United States. Why? Because he was born in Austria, not the U.S.

Article two, section one of the U.S. Constitution states: "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; neither shall any Person be eligible to that Office who shall not have attained to the Age of thirty-five Years, and been fourteen Years a Resident within the United States."

Now, I quote my brother when it comes to my stance on Arnold being president because I couldn't ever say it better myself. On a blustery, rainy, typical Southern Florida summer afternoon, Roberto and I had been forced inside due to the weather. Our only escape was the special edition DVD of "Pumping Iron," some of Arnold's finest work. Midway through the Casablanca of bodybuilding docu-dramas, the brothers McGrath discussed the possibility of the White House going "Commando" (Arnold's best work, far and away) sometime in the future.

"I don't think that anybody that is born in another country should be able to run ours," Robbo said to me, before quickly adding the key element. "But I'd vote for him."

I don't have a problem with people who don't think Arnold should be president. That's fine, nobody's perfect, y'know? But he should be allowed to run.

If the American people decide that he shouldn't be commander in chief, then they simply won't vote for him.

However, by not allowing him the opportunity to run, we aren't so much hurting him as we are hurting ourselves. If Arnold isn't allowed to run, he will simply go back to making the best movies in the world, driving his Hummer around in California. Not exactly a bad life, especially when you consider the alternative — having the most stressful and pressurized job this side of orphaned planet Pluto.

Arnold could succeed as president too. He could be the first leader of the executive branch in decades to truly bring together the GOP and Democrats, using his relationship with wife Maria Shriver to help bridge gaps that no other person possibly could. Plus, he would have the single greatest re-election campaign slogan ever: "I'll be back."

And you want to talk about foreign policy? The new policy would be sending a copy of "Commando" and "Twins" to every country in the world. If you are naughty you get the Commando Arnold. If you're nice you get the "Twins" Arnold. Which would you choose?

What exactly are we so afraid of by having Arnold as the big cheese? Are we worried that he is in fact an Austrian mole who has spent the last four decades in bodybuilding and movie making to slowly build himself up to the point where he will be elected to the highest office in the land?

If that were true, we should just hand over our country to Austria right now, because it would be apparent that they are a lot smarter than we are and thus should have the keys to the world's most powerful country.

The fact is that Arnold is just an outstanding U.S. citizen trying to do all he can to help his country. He has the resources, he has the know-how, but he doesn't have the opportunity.

And he should.

Whether or not you agree with me that Arnold should be president doesn't matter. Regardless, he should be allowed the opportunity to run.

So, move over George Washington and make room Teddy Roosevelt. You could have a new neighbor on Mt. Rushmore in the next decade or two.

That is, if America will ever give him a chance in the first place.

Dave McGrath (dmcgrath@badgerherald.com) is a senior majoring in English and journalism.

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Anonymous (October 11, 2006 @ 7:38am):

We might have to start looking to other countries for presidents, since the natural-born selection has only yielded idiots. And, judging from this article, there are only American idiots in the pipeline.

We're not good enough to lead ourselves; please save us you steroid-laden action hero!

P.S. That cigar WILL give you cancer.

Anonymous (October 11, 2006 @ 12:34pm):

1) Why does Arnold have to be president? Have you ever heard of Secretary of State or another cabinet position?

2) Arnold is socially liberal and would never get past the Republican primary. Although, he'd probably make a good "neo-lib".

3) You sit around watching body building videos with your brother? Weird.

Anonymous (October 11, 2006 @ 2:25pm):

Theres' something about a guy that promotes the right of a womanizing, exNazi-youth, son of an SS officer who "has publicly stated that
he has dreamed of being a dictator and that he
admires Hitler," to run for US president that just rubs me the wrong way. Have you no sense of decency sir?

Anonymous (October 11, 2006 @ 8:30pm):

Schwarzenneger would win by a landslide. He is just what America needs. And what is the
Constitution without Amendments? Voters of the US, make it happen! A blending of power, politics, a voice of the people

Anonymous (October 11, 2006 @ 8:52pm):

Heres my point-counterpoint v. Anonymous Comment 2;

1. Why shouldn't Arnold be president? Why should Arnold have to settle for Secretary of State or another other cabinet position when he is definitely worthy of the oval office? So because it was written 215 years ago we should leave it the way it is? Maybe we shouldn't have changed the 3/5ths compromise or hell, let's just white out the 19th amendment while we're at it! Because what was written then should still stand today! Right?

2. The Republican Party would benefit immensely from Arnold being pushed into office. Even if he is socially liberal, he would have a better chance of not only attaining the votes from the Republicans, but also have reach into the Democrat pool as well. Not to mention because of his fame already he would be able to generate a lot of political interest within the country which would mean more constituents for the Republican party anyway..(because he is a republican.)

3. The major counter point is, your an idiot.

Fan Law.

Anonymous (October 11, 2006 @ 10:41pm):

Ouch...you were called an idiot by someone who can't spell "you're" properly. Doesn't that negate the prior comment?

I say "Hooray to Arnold" and to watching bodybuilding videos with Rob or whomever else you please!