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A Colorado podcast host and DSA activist just did what political hopefuls always do when they want attention: propose a bold, headline‑grabbing shortcut. Deep Singh Badhesha posted on social media urging the Democratic Socialists of America to push for a constitutional amendment so naturalized citizens could run for President — and he even named a ticket: New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani with Melat Kiros. It’s a flashy idea, but flashy doesn’t mean feasible.
What the post actually said — and why people noticed
Badhesha’s post urged the DSA to make an amendment to remove the “natural‑born citizen” requirement and floated a Mamdani/Kiros ticket. That single line lit up feeds because Mamdani has been a kingmaker after endorsing successful challengers and Kiros just knocked off a long‑time incumbent in Colorado. Momentum breeds dreams, but a dream is not a plan. Mamdani himself told national reporters he’s not campaigning to rewrite the Constitution, saying, “I think the Constitution looks good just the way it is.” So this was a fanfare, not a strategy memo from City Hall.
Constitutional reality: Article II and Article V aren’t casual suggestions
The rule Badhesha wants to toss is in Article II: only a “natural‑born citizen” can be President, and changing that requires the heavy lift of Article V. That means two‑thirds of both the House and Senate or a convention called by two‑thirds of state legislatures — and then ratification by three‑quarters of the states. In plain English: you must convince a supermajority of a deeply divided nation to rewrite a core rule. It’s not impossible on paper, but it’s political suicide as a practical matter, especially if the aim looks like it’s written for one ticket.
Politics, optics and the suburban voters who actually decide elections
Even if you ignore the math, think about the optics. Amending the Presidency’s eligibility to put an ideologically charged mayor — who only became a citizen in recent years and proudly calls himself a democratic socialist — at the top of the ticket would hand the opposition a ready‑made caricature. It would unify moderates, independents, and many Democrats who aren’t eager to tear up the Founders’ guardrails just to fast‑track a candidacy. And don’t forget: Melat Kiros would still be too young for the vice presidency by 2028. This tweet was mostly signaling: an excited base shouting, not a plausible national play.
Why conservatives should care — and why others should laugh, then pay attention
This moment highlights two things conservatives should want to defend: the rule of law and the slow, steady processes the Founders built to protect the Republic. If one side starts treating the Constitution like a to‑do list for short‑term ambition, the whole country gets dragged into a fight that would be ugly and lasting. Mock the tweet — it’s fair game — but don’t think the underlying impulse will vanish. Political movements grow. So laugh at the fantasy of a quick constitutional rewrite, but keep watching the people who cheer it on. They’re the ones trying to change how American power works, one catchy post at a time.
