It's official: Senator John McCain is a US citizen, and not a Panamian. Because the Republican presidential nominee was born in the Panama Canal Zone in 1936, then a US territory, some have claimed that he is ineligible to run for president in the US. While few doubted the outcome, the issue was put to rest last week in the California courts.
According to the AFP, U.S. District Judge William Alsup ruled McCain to be US citizen based on prior rulings, and the decision hinged particularly on a 1937 law on the canal zone, which was interpreted as declaring those born in the zone to US parents as "natural born citizens" -- the un-elaborated requisite as stipulated in the US constitution.
However unlikely an outcome, it surprises me that more of a stink hasn't been made on this (non)issue -- not because of its merits, but because of its swiftboat-like irony.
However unlikely an outcome, it surprises me that more of a stink hasn't been made on this (non)issue -- not because of its merits, but because of its swiftboat-like irony.
The real story here, of course: John McCain was born in 1936.... (wokka wokka wokka).
Sources: AFP, New York Times, Oakland Tribune
