Althouse: Michele Bachman renounces her Swiss citizenship "to make it perfectly clear: I was born in America and I am a proud American citizen."

May 11, 2012

Michele Bachman renounces her Swiss citizenship "to make it perfectly clear: I was born in America and I am a proud American citizen."

"I am, and always have been, 100% committed to our United States constitution and the United States of America."

27 comments:

Comanche Voter said...: I have to think this whole thing was an own goal for Ms. Bachman.

You want to be a politician here, you have to at least look like you're being "true to your school".; 5/11/12, 4:04 PM
ndspinelli said...: On the same day Eduardo Severin gives up his American citizenship so he won't be fucked in the ass by new taxes coming.; 5/11/12, 4:05 PM
Freeman Hunt said...: I wouldn't do that.; 5/11/12, 4:06 PM
Balfegor said...: Re: Comanche Voter:

I have to think this whole thing was an own goal for Ms. Bachman.

For an American politician, it is the most own goal it is possible to have. It's like instant FAIL at US politics.

That said, if you have no political ambitions, I can see the logic of renouncing citizenship. I've considered it myself, although I gave it up once I realised the US would charge me tax on everything I own if I did so. That's kind of evil, but it's a very effective means of deterring escape -- modern dictatorships could learn a thing or two from us. According to wikipedia, it was only implemented in 2004.; 5/11/12, 4:17 PM
chickelit said...: Pay forward or bend forward, Nick.
___________
So, the implication is that she's being vetted?; 5/11/12, 4:18 PM
Balfegor said...: re: chickenlittle:

So, the implication is that she's being vetted?

If she's still being vetted after something like this, Romney's team has the worst political judgment.; 5/11/12, 4:23 PM
chickelit said...: @Balfegor: Even if Hillary bumps Biden?; 5/11/12, 4:26 PM
Michelle Dulak Thomson said...: Ann,

Are there Constitutional barriers to being President or Vice President while also being a citizen of a foreign state?

And if so, does the same apply to the House of Representatives?; 5/11/12, 4:29 PM
Hagar said...: I believe that everyone recognized as Jews by some rabbinical institution is also automatically considered citizens of Israel, but I have never heard of an American politician renouncing this dual citizenship.

Why this blatan discrimination against Switzerland?; 5/11/12, 4:32 PM
Balfegor said...: Re: chickenlittle:

@Balfegor: Even if Hillary bumps Biden?

Bachmann is not the only female politician in the Republican party.

Re: Hagar:

What makes this so idiotic, on Bachmann's part is not that Switzerland recognised her as a citizen -- she can't help that. It's that she applied for a Swiss passport.; 5/11/12, 4:43 PM
edutcher said...: chick, with his little fox paws boxing Zero into same sex marriage, Joe insured he's on the ticket this Fall.

Clooney would want his money back, otherwise.; 5/11/12, 4:49 PM
chickelit said...: edutcher said...

I'm not so sure about the Biden part...Joe was a diversity hire, and was supposed to grow the tent not pitch the tent over.

Clooney can afford to lose even more and should maybe focus on acting.; 5/11/12, 5:10 PM
ndspinelli said...: chickenlittle, You know I love to bend forward myself.; 5/11/12, 5:12 PM
edutcher said...: God knows Clooney needs to work on his acting, but, if Joe goes, the base will freak.

He's the Patron Saint of Same Sex now.

Besides, he can't stand in the way of True Love if Hillary's coming out.; 5/11/12, 5:23 PM
Purpleslog said...: Ann...could you explain layman like me how is dual-citizenship even constitutional?; 5/11/12, 5:34 PM
chickelit said...: Purpleslog said...
Ann...could you explain layman like me how is dual-citizenship even constitutional?

Mick could probably do some of the leg work.; 5/11/12, 5:53 PM
Matt said...: Yes, becauase having a Swiss citizenship must mean you are not a proud American. Wow, is she annoying.; 5/11/12, 6:02 PM
Balfegor said...: Yes, becauase having a Swiss citizenship must mean you are not a proud American. Wow, is she annoying.

Problem is not the citizenship itself, it's the steps she affirmatively took to obtain recognition of that citizenship and a passport. You may disagree, but those are potentially disqualifying "Foreign Preference" factors when considering security clearances:

10. Conditions that could raise a security concern and may be disqualifying include:

(a) exercise of any right, privilege or obligation of foreign citizenship after becoming a U.S. citizen or through the foreign citizenship of a family member. This includes but is not limited to:

(1) possession of a current foreign passport;

. . .

(b) action to acquire or obtain recognition of a foreign citizenship by an American citizen;; 5/11/12, 6:15 PM
Palladian said...: Gee, I was hoping she'd renounced her American citizenship and moved to Switzerland.; 5/11/12, 6:50 PM
victoria said...: Gag. She makes me want to urp.

Vicki from Pasadena; 5/11/12, 7:20 PM
wyo sis said...: Vetting? We don't need no fuuukig vetting.
Oh, wait she's a Republican.; 5/11/12, 7:52 PM
Opus One Media said...: what an awful woman.

isn't she also a lawyer?; 5/11/12, 8:07 PM
Michelle Dulak Thomson said...: hdhouse,

what an awful woman.

isn't she also a lawyer?

Well, that was certainly thoughtful and illuminating.

What's the awful bit? Applying for Swiss citizenship, or renouncing it?; 5/11/12, 8:41 PM
Freeman Hunt said...: "The embassy is utterly heartbroken by this private decision by Mrs Bachmann," Norbert Baerlocher, a spokesman for the Swiss embassy in Washington, said in an email. He confirmed the Swiss consulate in Chicago had received Bachmann's request via email and that the staff had been yodeling in sorrow and devouring copious amounts of fondue ever since.; 5/11/12, 10:56 PM
I Have Misplaced My Pants said...: I wouldn't mind holding Swiss citizenship, in case the kimchee really hits the fan here and I decide it's in my family's best interest to get out of Dodge. I can't afford twenty booby-trapped acres in Montana, unfortunately. Although, it cheers me to think there are worse places to be if we ever had serious civil unrest than suburban Texas. Come and take it!; 5/11/12, 11:06 PM
roesch/voltaire said...: Oh well maybe she, along with MItt, can keep her Swiss bank account as so many good Americans do.; 5/12/12, 9:20 AM
Nichevo said...: No, this is not so. Your information is incorrect, as usually seems to be the case with you and Jews. (Pity since most of the time you tend to be right, i.e., agree with me ;>.)

One would be eligible to take Israeli citizenship without renouncing one's US, Euro, Chinese, whatever citizenship, but one does not inherently have it, by virtue of being Jewish.

I trust the historical background of the Law of Return is clear enough to most here, but given your handle (Hagar? Why not Haman? Don't want to telegraph the punch?), thought I should chime in and square that away for you and for any other persons inclined to believe you.

The real question is, what the hell would Bachmann want or need with a Swiss passport? What possible use or benefit could it offer her?

"Hagar said...

I believe that everyone recognized as Jews by some rabbinical institution is also automatically considered citizens of Israel, but I have never heard of an American politician renouncing this dual citizenship.

Why this blatan discrimination against Switzerland?
5/11/12 4:32 PM "; 5/12/12, 9:34 AM