Schwarzenegger Idea Gathers Little Strength

Only one Republican’s presence hovered over the Democratic presidential debate Thursday night at USC: President Bush figured in nearly every answer from the four candidates.

But as the 90-minute debate neared its end, California’s reigning Republican celebrity made an entrance as well, figuratively speaking.

Moderator Larry King wanted to know how the Democratic candidates felt about amending the U.S. Constitution to allow foreign-born Americans to run for president.

It was no secret to anyone in USC’s Bovard Auditorium that King was playing off the state’s governor, Arnold Schwarzenegger.

The Austrian-born former movie star said Sunday on NBC’s “Meet the Press” that he supported a proposed constitutional amendment to allow him and others born overseas to run for president.

Sen. John F. Kerry of Massachusetts seemed surprised by King’s question, finally quipping: “That would entitle my wife to be president, so it’s a good idea.” Teresa Heinz Kerry was born in Mozambique.

Sen. John Edwards of North Carolina said he hadn’t thought much about the idea, while the Rev. Al Sharpton of New York said he’d be fine with Teresa Heinz Kerry winning the White House -- after his tenure is over.

Only Rep. Dennis J. Kucinich of Ohio took a serious swipe at the question.

“I think that, being a nation of immigrants,” Kucinich said, “we should have an approach where someone who has lived here a long time and has participated in this system should have the rights and aspirations that any American would have.”

Article II, Section 1 of the U.S. Constitution states that “no person except a natural-born citizen” is eligible for the office of president.

Sen. Orrin G. Hatch (R-Utah) has proposed the amendment that would allow immigrant Americans to run.

While Californians might see Schwarzenegger as the likely beneficiary of such a change, there are other foreign-born rising political stars.

One is Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm, a Democrat, who was born in Vancouver, Canada.