A Natural for the White House

Whew, I'm in the club. Even though I was born in Mexico, I can run for the presidency if this columnist gig doesn't work out. I called my mother over the weekend, just to make sure. Had she lived in the United States at least five years prior to my birth? Check. Were at least two of those years after she had attained the age of 14? Check. Want to send my exploratory committee its first contribution? No check.

ANDRÉS MARTINEZ

February 9, 2005