Amendment to Allow Schwarzenegger to Run for President Gains Momentum

News 10 Sacramento | January 24, 2005

The group promoting a constitutional amendment to allow foreign-born citizens such as Arnold Schwarzenegger run for president has opened a new office in Menlo Park.

The group called Amend for Arnold began its movement last fall as Schwarzenegger finished his first year as California's governor. They say interest is growing. "We've got volunteers from all 50 states at this point, which astonishes me because the only advertising we've done is in California," said organizer Lissa Morgenthaler-Jones.

Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, introduced his "Equal Opportunity to Govern" bill in July 2003, but it has not gained much traction. The Bay Area group was organized to promote the bill. The legislation needs to be ratified by two-thirds of the Senate and two-thirds of the House of Representatives. Then three-fourths, or 38, states would have to ratify it.

The organization plans to hold a series of meetings around the state over the next year. Organizers hope to have a constitutional amendment in place by 2010 to allow Schwarzenegger to run for president in 2012.