Reply #19: The premise of this subthread is the consequence of impeachment and acquittal

[onenote]

Not impeachment and forced resignation.

Let me be clear: I think that chimpy deserves to be impeached and removed from office (either through conviction or by his forced resignation). I also believe that there is no way that is going to happen unless/until some bi-partisan support for impeachment arises and that, as in the Watergate example, such support is only go to arise if the bases for impeachment have light shed on them through hearings/investigations that are not specifically related to impeachment (see, e.g., the Senate Select Committee on Watergate). And if that happens, I have no doubt that we will see a bumper crop of new Democrats in 2008. But if we pull the trigger and misfire, I think we will pay a price.