The Kid Who Ran for President

After the Associated Press article about Judson runs, several newspapers print follow-up stories that cite the passage in the Constitution that states someone must be at least 35 years old to run for president. Lane points out that the Constitution also allows for amendments and argues all they have to do is get 2/3 of Congress to propose an amendment and make sure ¾ of the states vote for it.

Judson doesn’t think this is very likely until the next day when an article in The New York Times urges the age restriction on political office be dropped. The article sparks a national debate, resulting in kids across America refusing to do their chores or eat their vegetables. After three weeks, public opinion forces Congress to vote, and Amendment XXVII (the Lemonade Stand Amendment) is added to the Constitution, which states any United States citizen’s right to run for office “shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or any state on account of age” (98).

Judson introduces his competitors for president—current President George White, whose approval ratings dropped earlier that year after his dog pooped on an ambassador during a televised event—and Senator Dunn from Virginia.