In 2012, the Columbus Metropolitan Club, a corporation, invited the chair of the Ohio Republican Party, and the Ohio Democratic Party, to a forum, to discuss “Presidential Politics in Ohio.” The Club refused to invite the chairs of the other ballot-qualified parties in Ohio to participate in the forum.

On April 30, the FEC, responding to a complaint, issued this analysis. The FEC seems to be saying that the Club broke the law by making a contribution to the Ohio Democratic Party and the Ohio Republican Party. But it says the ticket sales were less than $3,000, so the amount at issue is so small, the FEC is exercising its discretion not to prosecute the club. See this news story.

U.S. Senator Ted Cruz (R-Texas) is being mentioned as a possible Republican nominee for President in 2016 or some later year. According to this story, Political Scientist Larry Sabato says there ought to be a court ruling on the meaning of the presidential qualification “natural-born citizen.” Senator Cruz was born in Canada. At the time of his birth, his father was a Cuban citizen and his mother was a U.S. citizen. Cruz’ father did not become a U.S. citizen until Ted Cruz himself was an adult.

One possibility not discussed in the article is that the U.S. could just repeal the qualification and trust the voters to elect any U.S. Citizen who had attained the existing age and duration of residency requirements already in the Constitution. One wonders what good the “natural-born” qualification does, since its meaning is so obscure. Thanks to Bill Van Allen for the link.

A proposed Texas constitutional amendment, SJR 13, is making headway in the Texas legislature. It would ask the voters in November 2013 if they wish to amend the state constitution to impose term limits on these statewide executive posts: Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Comptroller, Attorney General, Land Commissioner, Railroad Commissioner, and Agriculture Commissioner. It passed the Senate on March 19, and it passed the policy committee in the House on April 17.

The amendment would allow two consecutive terms. It would not bar someone from running for office if he or she had already had two terms, as long as the new term was not consecutive. If passed, service earlier than 2014 would not count toward the restriction. Texas is now one of only 15 states with no gubernatorial term limits. Thanks to Jim Riley for this news.