What does the 14-year residency requirement for U.S. President actually mean?

Question

Someone please find me CREDIBLE and SUBSTANTIAL proof that the U.S. Constitution requires that the eligible candidate for president be a 14-year resident of the U.S. prior to assuming office, and NOT just a resident for years that sum up to 14 years.

Answer 1

The constitution is a little vague:

"...and been fourteen Years a resident within the United States"

That statement could easily be interpreted to mean 14 years total or the 14 years proceeding the election.

It is interesting to note, the constitution does not use the word "permanent".

Answer 2

Article Two of the Constitution sets the principal qualifications to be eligible for election as President. A Presidential candidate must:

    * be a natural-born citizen of the United States;

    * be at least thirty-five years old;

    * have been a permanent resident in the United States for at least fourteen years.

I think the clue is in the use of the word 'permanent'.

Answer 3

Actually, the President has to be born a US citizen and live in the United States.  There is no clause for foreign born people to become President of the United States.

Answer 4

The clause states:;

No Person except a natural born Citizen, or a Citizen of the United States, at the time of the Adoption of this Constitution, shall be eligible to the Office of President; neither shall any Person be eligible to that Office who shall not have attained to the Age of thirty five Years, and been fourteen Years a Resident within the United States.

The governing clause is the first - "No Person except a natural born ..."

As to the fourteen years - it could well be that someone could have lived overseas for 30 years but spent 14 years in the US - but let's be honest - that person isn't going to get elected!

Answer 5

FIND IT YOURSELF,,,,,YOU SEEM TO BE ABLE TO USE THE INTERNET.

Answer 6

The intent was about the time when the Constitution was written.  The Founding Fathers wanted a President that had been in the country for a while in comparison to citizen newly returned from an extended stay in England.  For example, using a literal interpretation, Eisenhower would have never been elected because of his time in Europe during WW2.