If the Democrats can get their higher brain functions to dominate over their lower brain fear responses, they will, they have already figured out, that now is the time to start impeachment hearings. As the sewer of stories of Bush Administration corruption and despicable choice-making starts to flow, the Republican leaders will be forced to do "THE WALK" to the oval office, like they did with Agnew and Nixon, forcing Cheney and Bush to resign. Back then, with Nixon, they let "Tricky Dick" know that they would not defend him if the trial went to the senate. Nixon resigned.
So, let's be clear. The house would start impeachment hearings with no intention to bring a trial to the senate. The hearings could go on until Bush leaves office. If the Republicans fail to force Cheney and Bush out (Cheney will resign with a "medical" note from his doctor) then the hearings will continue, documenting crimes and corruption, preparing a wealth of evidence for use by prosecutors in an Obama appointed justice department. This is a no-lose approach. It's hard to imagine how Democratic members of congress can argue against it. The tired excuse that it will keep them from getting other work done, or that it will hurt them in the fall elections is total nonsense. It's time for them to let go of those lame talking points. It's the season for impeachment. With the crimes the Bush administration has committed, impeachment should come as naturally as the heat of summer-- except the heat should be on the White house.
The heat should also be on the right wingers in congress-- all the house incumbents and all the senate incumbents up for re-election. Once impeachment hearings start pumping out the ugly revelations about the whitehouse, the Democratic party will begin working the info, using it, targeting each incumbent. Does this senator, that house rep continue to stand behind Cheney the Criminal, Bush the liar and torturer? When we learn how Cheney, with Bush's protection, set up some of the deals that are now contributing to the high prices of gasoline at the pump, will the people in right wingers' districts tolerate the continued protection of Bush and Cheney, or will they call for their resignation or removal.
Impeachment could become the most powerful tool the Democrats have to dramatically increase the number of seats they win in the house and senate. Harry Reid told an assemblage of Progressive media leaders I was a part of, that they hope to in 3-7, maybe 9 senate seats, earlier this year. Impeachment hearings could insure that the Dems truly take control of the senate, with a filibuster-proof 60 or more majority, even without Joe "Zell Miller" Lieberman. And forget about the 20-30 seat pickup they hope for in the house. The Dems could win 40 or 50 if they go forward with impeachment hearings. The Republican brand is so bad that close to a third of voters who were identifying themselves as independents now identify themselves as democrats, and the percentage of people who identify themselves as Republicans is down almost 10%. The thing is, that tarnishing of the GOP brand can and will get much worse if the Dems start impeachment hearings.
Let's Help Bush Leave a Very Positive Legacy
Now, about Bush's legacy. When Cheney resigns, Bush will be able to appoint a black, woman or Latino, or a combination of these, someone like Condi Rice or Elizabeth Dole. McCain has the GOP presidential candidacy locked up, so there will be no concern with the appointee running for president. Then, with Bush is forced out, his appointee will become the first-- black, woman or Latino. That's a lasting legacy. It will come at a high price, but Bush's name in history is toast either way. At least he will go out leaving a lasting legacy.
This may have an effect upon the November election. If the Republicans are smart, they'll get at least Cheney to resign before the GOP convention. If they're smarter (don't worry, they won't be) they will get rid of both Cheney and Bush by the end of September, and go into the presidential horse race final stretch being able to claim that they have cleaned house and have been re-born. If they pick a black to replace Cheney, and ultimately Bush, it will take some of the history in the wind in the sails of the Obama campaign. Same thing for a woman if Hillary or Sibelius or Napolitano are the Obama's VP candidate. On the other hand, justice and truth, the constitution, democracy and the good name of the USA will have been served.
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