Northern Virginia Democrat Jim Moran announced that he will join the growing effort to impeach Vice President Dick Cheney. His presence will likely bring some more Democrats along, and it's about time. Dick Cheney continues to pose a grave threat to the US Constitution. He must be removed, along with Alberto Gonzales and many others, including the President who should be held responsible for their actions as well as his own.
A majority of Americans already support Cheney's impeachment. 46% want the President impeached. Those numbers grow every day. We are nearing the tipping point where Americans recognize the constitutional danger that results if the Bush Administration is not held accountable. If they get away with it this time, what will future authoritarian reactionaries build on this unconstitutional foundation of politicization, secrecy, and deceit?
The tipping point is coming, the Bush Administration is staffing their legal defense staff faster than they can staff homeland security, and Jim Moran is ready to fight for America and the sanctity of the US Constitution.
Godspeed Mr. Moran!
[H/T buhdydharma]
With more of their past transgressions and failures coming to light and the magnitude of deceit, incompetence, and disregard for the Constitution (and the people it represents), this administration inches ever closer to that tipping point. Many of the people who had previously prescribed to Pelosi's no-impeachment philosophy are beginning to change their minds.
It's almost as if Bush and company wanted to be impeached. I'm not complaining - if that's what he wants then so be it. Just keep trying Mr. President and it won't be long until you push yourself and your administration past the tipping point.
The focus on "intent" to mislead with respect to the Iraq War I see as a weak point. Cheney is not the first political leader to lie about the risks, and likely outcomes related to a war. And it has been argued in the past that mental impairment is not necessarily a sufficient grounds for removal (I find it plausible that Cheney actually believed--and continues to believe--that Sadaam had WMDs and that Al Qaeda had operational links to the Hussein dictatorship. The man is clearly delusional). On the other hand, his actions in relation to domestic politics have no precedent. His "4th branch" line of argument should be grounds enough for removal.
Democrats in Congress would be better off if they continue to pass popular legislation (raising the minimum wage, lowering student loan rates) or at least try to pass popular legislation (stem cell research, reducing deployments) and focus on gaining the Presidency and larger majorities in Congress in the next election. Then we will be able to make some real progress.
On the other hand, the more media coverage there is about why Cheney merits impeachment, the better!
Impeachment has always been extremely popular with a smaller segment of the population, but now it's starting to take hold with more people. If this trend continues toward the tipping point then impeachment will be both the most popular issue and the top priority for the majority of Americans.
So for anyone who feels Bush and his team have hurt our country, now is the time to push the impeachment concept to the American people. Sell it to the people, make it popular, then all else will fall into place in Congress and it could very well happen. And then it would be the politically smart move.
First the VP and AG. Since Rice is on the golf course she may not do any more damage, but if she does not stay on golf coruse, get her too.