To Impeach or Not To Impeach

Impeachment seems to be on a lot of people’s minds these days. Cable news, blogs, columns, and just about anybody with an interest in politics has an opinion on the subject. There are some who think that Bush and Cheney have committed multiple crimes against the American people and the Constitution and should be brought up on charges. Some who think the any kinds of charges are unfounded and that any attempt at impeachment is just a cheap political ploy. Then you get the split the difference people who say while there is a possible case for impeachment that is politically risky for the Democrats to try. I guess I fall in the middle myself. You can read the Washing Post articles on Cheney or see John Dean on Countdown and not see that Bush administration is operating by its own rules. Under the guise of the War on Terror that anything is justifiable under the excuse of keeping the country safe. While this has been harmful to our country and made a shamble of reputation there is not much we can do about it right now. One of two things would have to happen to make impeachment viable either there would need to be some major defections from the Congressional Republicans so that the mathematics would overwhelm the White House or something that would have to come out that proved beyond a shadow of doubt that Bush and company knowingly lied or did something illegal. Much is of the administration’s defense is built around executive privilege that he has the right to do these things because he is president. That has been challenged somewhat, but not completely. From this defensive position Bush, Cheney, and company have fought, scrapped, and dodged any attempt by the Congress to find what’s going in the White House and Vice President’s office on a myriad of topics like torture, spying, The War on Terror, Iraq, and the attorney firings just to name a few. From this position they can draw this process until the end of the term especially if the Republicans in Congress back them up. While I think the things these people have done is beyond horrible and in a just world they would be brought up on charges I don’t think that can realistically happen. Instead of a possible impeachment they Democrats should focus on winning the White House and expanding their majorities in the Congress in 08. Also try to figure how to gather more Republicans into the fold on getting us out of Iraq. I think would be easier to convince Republican Congressmen nervous about re-election that they need to rethink their views on Iraq. Besides a large portion of the Republican are very depressed about Iraq, immigration, and their choices for 08. There is nothing that will fire that base up faster than fight. Even if they are not happy about Bush’s performance, they will defend if they think he is being attacked by the Democrats. I still think it’s a possibility that the Democrats could go after impeachment, but I do not think it should be their main focus. Get us out of Iraq and get a Democrat in the White House 2009 because no matter what January 20, 2009 George Bush will be heading back to Crawford.