This was a pretty bizarre story to begin with. According to what I heard is that she applied for dual Swiss citizenship because her kids wanted to have the option of becoming Swiss citizens. Since her husband was born in Switzerland though it's possible that her kids could still have the option to become Swiss citizens even without her having dual citizenship. Haven't heard why her kids wanted that option. In other unusual Michelle Bachmann news due to redistricting she no longer lives in the district she represents but is still planning on running to keep her seat.
If they were planning to study or work in Europe even for a short period of time, having Swiss citizenship would be very beneficial. Speaking from personal experience as an ex-pat in London, the country has basically shut down work visas for foreigners -- even big companies have a very limited allotment of visas to transfer employees. Likewise, if they wanted to go to school (graduate or otherwise), they'd likely pay a good bit less as Europeans. Or, maybe they are planning on coming to Olympics this summer and want access to the shorter passport line?
It's so dumb (and insulting to dual citizens like me) that the political climate is such that politicians can't have dual citizenship without their patriotism being questioned.
Without a doubt. This should only be news because its Michelle Bachmann that's the dual citizen because if anyone else claimed dual citizenship, she'd instantly call them un-American.
Regardless of how dumb the reaction might be, it seems absolutely stupid for a politician to actively seek out an additional citizenship for her/himself. The article's pretty vague, but it seems she did something in February to keep or enhance her swissness. Totally stupid. Terrible judgement on her part.
Uhhh...we're not talking about any politician. We're talking about a person who wanted to be the LEADER OF THE FRIGGIN' COUNTRY. If you want to be the head honcho, you can't have split loyalties. And, like it or not, dual citizens has split loyalties. I mean, really: here you have the GOP making such a big deal over whether or not Obama might possibly have been born in another country and questioning his loyalty to the US because of it, yet one of their own candidates is applying for citizenship to ANOTHER COUNTRY and it's no big deal?
My impression was that she was eligible for Swiss citizenship because she's been married to a Swiss national for X number of years. My wife is eligible to be a French citizen because of her marriage to me, but we haven't filed any paperwork yet. What I was surprised about was that I assumed going into it back in February that she knew there would be political blowback and it was something she wanted to do enough that she was willing to take the hit. It actually made me like her a little better. As it turns out, though, she either didn't realize that people would make a fuss or else she thought she could do it without anyone finding out. Doing this complete 180 at the first sign of political trouble makes her look dumb and gutless. I'm not sure which is worse.
That might be the case but couldn't her daughters still apply for dual citizenship since their father was born in Switzerland even if Michelle Bachmann doesn't?
When you run on a Fourth of July, apple pie, God Bless America platform that eschews any and all secularism or socialist policy; it is a bad idea to pursue dual citizenship. She has actively attempted to become a dual citizen. It leaves you open to doubt when you want to be President. Further, I am not going to vote for someone running for President that seeks out dual citizenship. The loyalty should be to the USA only.
She should have the guile to pull the "personal business" card, or even worked some kind of family angle on this one. A lawyer with that much congressional experience should be good enough at spin that she can look good and still get what she wants. You'd hope at least one of the commentators could admit that Switzerland is pretty sweet country-wise.
