Impeachment Mania

23 Jul, 2007 by John Hawkins

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This morning, as I made my daily circuit through some of the favorite liberal haunts, I couldn’t help but notice that everywhere I looked, it’s impeachment, impeachment, impeachment. As per usual, the reasons vary wildly, because it’s about hatred of Bush and Cheney, not really about any particular thing that they’re supposed to have done wrong, but it’s really ramping up out there.

That’s problematic for the Democrats because their approval ratings are plunging in large part, I believe, because they’re perceived as running a do-nothing Congress that can’t/won’t govern and are only interested in complaining, publicity stunts, and endless investigations of trivia.

Trying to impeach Bush would only cement those perceptions in the mind of the public, would probably help Bush’s approval rating, and in the end, they’d have zero chance of getting the votes they need to get rid of Bush or Cheney.

On the other hand, the liberal netroots/activist crowd is going to get angrier and angrier with them for refusing to try to impeach Bush.

Just look at what they’re saying at the Democratic Underground (thread titles)

IMPEACH – Fax Conyers with 1 click from our web site (in Rome!)
To those who think “Impeachment backfired” against the GOP re: Clinton.
Why Removal of Bush and Cheney from Office Needs to Be Done Soon
Impeachable offences?
‘IMPEACH TO STOP THE WAR/LIES/DEATHS-MANDATORY For Good Of The Nation’ by Jimmy Breslin -NewsDay
Patriots Anonymous: Twelve-Steps For Congress To Reach Impeachment
mpeachment Civil DIsobedience in Kensington, MD
A caller on Randi Rhodes stated they are not impeaching because THEY want Bush’s new asserted powers
CONGRESSMAN JOHN OLVER BELIEVES BUSH TO CANCEL 2008 ELECTIONS, STILL REFUSES TO SUPPORT IMPEACHMENT
So Impeachment is off the table, DOJ will not pursue contempt charges against WH officals
Harry Reid Addresses Impeachment on Face The Nation: “Other Things to Do”
Impeachment question divides Democrats
Would impeachment be more palatable if Pelosi & Byrd recused themselves from
Dan Gerstein Misses The Boat (“Impeachment Divides Democrats” Article)
IMPEACH: CONYERS said: “WHAT ARE WE WAITING FOR – LET’S TAKE THOSE 2 GUYS OUT”-Kpete live from S.D.
Not impeaching this President…

Now, those are just the threads that are from three pages deep. I could go on, but The Smirking Chimp is calling and they have articles like these up on the front page,

Impeachment, inherent contempt, the universe and everything
Conyers: 3 More Congress Members and I’ll Impeach
The Logic of Impeachment
Organize to Push Congress Toward Impeachment

Next it’s on to The Daily Kos where you’ll find the following diaries up,

Bringing Down the Cheney-Bush Administration
Anti-Impeachment Kossacks Want it Both Ways
The time for talk has passed, Senator Feingold
Bringing Down the Cheney-Bush Administration

Will the Democrats in Congress buckle under the pressure and start a politically destructive attack on Bush and Cheney or will they make their base furious by ignoring them? It’s a lose/lose situation for the Democrats and it’s great to see them stuck in it.