BOSTON (AP) — In a public debate at Harvard, two constitutional law scholars have tried to answer whether Republican Ted Cruz is eligible to become president.
Harvard professor Larry Tribe argues that based on the text of the U.S. Constitution, Cruz, who was born in Canada to an American mother, may not be considered a natural born citizen. Yale professor Jack Balkin counters that newer laws in place by the time Cruz was born gave him that designation.
The Constitution says that only natural born citizens can become president, but it doesn’t define the term.
The professors squared off on Friday while presidential candidates stumped in New Hampshire for Tuesday’s primary election.
Tribe isn’t dismissing the possibility that Cruz could legally become president, but emphasizes that the question is far from settled.
