Cheney Impeachment Bill Quietly Comes to Life in House Judiciary Committee

[demnan]

Submitted by Bob Fertik on June 30, 2007 - 12:13am. ImpeachForChange
Matthew Cardinale of Atlanta Progressive News continues to own the impeachment story, and his latest report is very interesting, to say the least.

Cardinale reports that 3 more Democrats have signed on as co-sponsors to Dennis Kucinich's H.Res. 333, Articles of Impeachment for Vice President Cheney. They are Keith Ellison (MN-05), Hank Johnson (GA-04), and Jim McDermott (WA-07).

Ellison ran as a supporter of impeachment and was endorsed by ImpeachPAC, but he held back until now because he feared

"it would consume the news cycle to the point where that's all we'd be dealing with and talking about."


Ellison didn't say what changed his mind, but Hank Johnson did:

"I have certainly been displeased with the operations of the Executive Branch, particularly with regard to the secrecy, the incompetence, and the lack of cooperation that is coming out of the Vice President’s Office. I think the response to the subpoenas was the last straw," Johnson said.


That's certainly been the feeling in the blogosphere, so it's exciting to learn that Congressional Democrats are feeling that way too - and one can only assume Johnson isn't the only one.

Even more interesting is Cardinale's scoop that H.Res. 333

has been referred to a Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties, chaired by US Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D-NY).


That's a huge step, because it greatly increases the likelihood that the bill will get a hearing. That decision is now in the hands of Nadler and the members of the subcommittee: Artur Davis (AL-07), Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-20), Ellison, Conyers, Bobby Scott (VA-03), Mel Watt (NC-12), and Steve Cohen (TN-09).

Interestingly, Conyers does not appear to have softened his opposition to the bill, according to Cardinale's anonymous source:

"Conyers does work with all the Members of the Committee. Conyers has made it pretty clear he is not in support and neither is the Speaker. To move forward, you have to keep that in mind. He's pretty inclusive, but this is something that I think he feels really strong about," the person told APN.


So how did the bill move to the subcommittee over Conyers' apparent objection? As Cardinale points out, there are now three Democrats on the Judiciary Committee who are co-sponsors: Johnson, Ellison, and Maxine Waters. So it's a pretty good guess that there is now "critical mass" on the Judiciary Committee to breathe life into the bill - a guess supported by Johnson's spokesperson:

"It's been referred over there, I'm sure he'll have an opportunity to address it. I'm sure he was speaking as a Member of the Judiciary Committee when he put his name to it," Johnson’s spokesperson said.


So this is a huge development. But with Conyers and Pelosi opposed, we clearly need to get several more Judiciary Committee members to join these three - especially members of the Constitution subcommittee.

So if you live in one of these districts - Artur Davis (AL-07), Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-20), Bobby Scott (VA-03), Mel Watt (NC-12), and Steve Cohen (TN-09) - now is the time to form a strong Congressional District Impeachment Committee, inundate their offices with calls and letters, and follow your Representative wherever (s)he goes to ask why (s)he is not yet a co-sponsor of H.Res. 333. And don't forget to bring a video camera so you can upload the response on Youtube - we're all dying to hear exactly what they say!

[whistle]

1. The ground swell will begin when a critical mass of 5% of the House

...signs on with Dennis which means he needs twelve more districts to begin to support the impeachment cries.

[calimary]

15. And we need to call Jerry Nadler on this, too, to encourage him to

GO FORWARD with this.

I also think we should NOT stop exhorting Conyers on this, either. Every wave that crashes on the coastline wears it down just a little bit more...

It's very true about the groundswell. If it becomes too big and too loud, it won't be possible to ignore or avoid any longer.

They've already seen the reaction to what's widely perceived as having caved to bush on the war. They KNOW their asses are on the line and that WE THE PEOPLE are MOST displeased.

Also... just for argument's sake, it might be worthwhile to add in: "you know, I almost hate to say this, but there's ONE thing I REALLY APPRECIATE about the republi-CONS. At least THEY pay a LOT of attention to THEIR BASE."

That's one seed we REALLY need to plant.

The Dems need to remember WHO BROUGHT THEM TO THE DANCE. 'Cause if WE stay home on Election Day, that nice, big, luxurious Speaker-of-the-House office to which Miss Nancy is growing so accustomed will go to a republi-CON. She needs to be reminded of that. WE'RE the ones who brought HER to the dance, too.

[elocs]

2. Impeaching Cheney first does make the most sense.

After all, if Bush was impeached and convicted (yes, conviction is important) who wants a President Cheney? Besides, it appears that Cheney is the ventriloquist and Bush is the dummy. I think it is likely that Cheney would resign for "health" reasons before impeachment would result in a vote with the potential for conviction. But this impeachment had better get more legs than it has had if time is not to run out.

[trashcanistanista]

13. If he resigns at this point, it will be just as good.

He needs to get out, now, before any more damage is done.

[loudsue]

23. He'll probably resign this summer just before his heart surgery. The GOP

media will make a HUGE deal out of it, and then the republicans will get all this good touchy-feely press out of martyring Cheney, and finding his replacement....Tweety will be drooling all over himself over the flavor of the day at that point.

It's going to be a nasty summer/fall.

:kick::kick:

[elocs]

25. I think that like Nixon, either he or Bush would resign if they believed there'd be a conviction. nt

[demnan]

3. If you know anyone living in those Congressional districts

on this board, private message them this morning and cut and paste this message. I just did Underpants, who lives in the VA 3rd.

A groundswell of grassroots emotion can't hurt the cause right now.

[ixion]

4. impeachment is the only avenue that will move towards restoring our

democratic republic. It's not the only move required, but it's a good start.

[bjobotts]

30. Waxman moving toward criminal charges against Cheney

If it comes out that there is strong evidence that a crime has been committed then "executive privilege" is no longer viable, and he will have to comply with the subpoenas. Pelosi and Conyers cannot pull criminal investigations off the table and while some democrats like these two feel impeachment is too inconvenient and would take up too much "policy making" time, other Dems like Waxman and Rockefeller are busy standing up for our constitution and making the time to make Cheney/Bush accountable by providing oversight in the way of a criminal investigation which is heading toward criminal charges and indictments for Cheney and others.

Pelosi and Conyers are part of that authoritarian group who feel they know what's best for others (not uncommon...especially for government officials), except they don't like being challenged on their position. How dare you question my authority?, and they can be quite stubborn and not realize how closed minded they are being about it. If those two began supporting HR 333 most of the other Democrats would come around also but unfortunately they will be the last to sign on.

So as the Democratic party continues to become increasingly progressive it will be noted that these Dems became like dead weight, refusing to change even as evidence and support for impeachment grew, because they knew what was best for the rest of us.

[L. Coyote]

5. Sssshhhhh. Impeachment is under the table.

But not all the impeachees. :rofl:

[Toots]

6. I believe Cheney has the goods on both Peloisi and Conyers

I am fairly certain they are being blackmailed into submission by this Administration just as J Edgar did during his reign..He had the goods on virtually every member of Congress and I believe Cheney by using the same illegal means of gathering information has the same "goods". It can't all just be fear of Anthrax although I am sure many are indeed afraid for their lives or their family's lives. Conyers though is an honest to goodness War Hero so I doubt he is being motivated by fear for his life. I think it is fear some of his corrupt dealings will come to light..I think almost every single person in Congress has some secret dealings they do not want to come to light. Cheny has the "goods"Corruption is rampant in Congress on both sides of the aisle.. IMO What other realistic reasons could there be? Especially when they come out and say it is even far worse than the public is aware of yet "Impeachment is off the table" What the public does know about is plenty to initiate Impeachment and yet they say we don't know the half od it..I am at a loss..:shrug:

[robinlynne]

8. I seriously doubt that! First of all, Conyers' integrity is huge! Second of all, if they

had a way to be rid of John Conyers Junior, they would have done it.

[Star80]

29. Rove

is the name you mean...Cheney is too busy hiding out with our trillions which he has stolen...Rove is the 21st Century equivalent of J.Edgar, and just as vulnerable if you know what you are looking for...

[mantis49]

7. I've emailed my rep twice,

the most recent one last week, to urge him to support H.Res. 333. I don't even get an acknowledgment that they received my email. It's really pissing me off.

I'm in the 17th district of IL. Phil Hare, who was elected to Lane Evans' old seat.

Anyone else have this happen to you?:mad:

[ima_sinnic]

16. snail mail is much more effective

snail mail is better than a fax is better than e-mail.

[Golden Raisin]

32. Yes, I'm pissed off too.

My email was on a different topic than impeachment. My Senator happens to be Mrs. Clinton. I received NOTHING. Not even one of those robotic auto-replies with a generic message saying thanks-but-the-Senator-can't-possibly-respond-to-every-email. Hell, I've sent messages to Senators and Reps from states OTHER than my own and received some sort of response --- either a real answer or, at a minimum, an auto-reply. I guess since Mrs. Clinton is too busy to respond to her own constituents I will have to reconsider voting for her the next time around.

[proud patriot]

9. Sending some positive energy this way

:woohoo:

[Uncle Joe]

10. Kicked and recommended

Thanks for the thread demnan.

[AntiFascist]

11. K&R n/t

[spanone]

12. Oh, please, please, please.....

impeach the mo fo

[orleans]

14. the people of this country are DYING for congress to stand up

and deal with this issue.

[polichick]

17. Betcha Cheney will split...

He'll go in for his heart surgery this summer, someone will be named interim veep until he's back on his feet ~ and then Cheney will resign and head for the middle east, where he'll join his partners in crime at Halliburton, live in fat-cat luxury, and never be help accountable for a thing.

(Just my guess ~ haven't heard anything.)

[Divine Discontent]

31. I think he's too arrogant to leave

just like bush... they think they're impervious to oversight! I look forward to this occurring!

:)

[polichick]

35. Or too arrogant to stay and face the music...

He may be impervious to oversight, but he's even more impervious to accountability. He's immoral but not stupid. If they actually start gunning for him, I think we'll see him fly the coup like the chickenhawk he is. I would bet that he already has a place in Dubai.

[Kurovski]

18. K&R (nt)

[Imagevision]

19. Actually they should let Bush sit tight for now but get rid of Cheney NOW!

Bush will easily self-destruct

[AX10]

20. and let Fred Thompson or Rudy G replace him?

Think about it for a minute.

[Imagevision]

22. It simply wouldn't matter who they replaced Cheney with, no-one could top his BS.!!

[emilyg]

26. You are so right.

Cheney is pure evil. Control freak.

[PBass]

27. Okay, I thought for a minute about Fred or Rudy replacing Cheney.

And my response is "WHO CARES".

Sitting quietly while Bush and Cheney disgrace the presidency, simply because the timing is inconvenient? That is absurd!!!!

If we do nothing in the face of all this law-breaking, it will encourage future presidents to do the same... "But Bush did it, too...!"

There is NO downside to the House moving forward on impeachment hearings. Let Cheney quit (he wont) but if he does, the taint will be on whoever replaces him. This administration is toxic, and anyone who joins will still have the stench of Bush on them, come election time. How did Jerry Ford do, when it was time to run on his own? Look at how the Clinton scandals turned some voters off to Al Gore in 2000.

[demnan]

21. Wow! I hit the front page

Maybe those reading will be interested in our impeachment videos links here:

http://www.peaceandaccountability.com/panel6_23_07.html

[Maryland Liberal]

24. This is run out the clock 101

Oh yeah - we support you- but we dont have enough time to do it = Jeez = throw those guys a bone - we aleady have their votes = makes me sick = IMPEACH NOW = there is NO downside - Either we win Seante seats (tying GOP senators to an unpopular Prez) 0r the presidency -its a NO brainer.

[puebloknot]

28. Conyers seemed to do an about face as soon as Pelosi...

...became Speaker. I heard some scuttlebutt from Dems suggesting that Conyers had "that little ethics violation," having to do, I seem to recall, with his allegedly using campaign funds to pay staff to babysit his children. I don't recall the details of all that. I'll be interested in hearing if anyone can flesh out this story.

But here was my reaction to that: They just don't seem to come any better than John Conyers. It seems that everyone holding public office is compromised in some way, by virtue of their being human. Just as we Dems supported Bill Clinton when he was being crucified by Repubs, we need to stand up and shout that John Conyers' record speaks for itself, that he is a man of integrity and intelligence, and that he isn't going to be put into a closet over some perceived faux pas.

I hope I'm right about this. I'll be very disappoined if things play out otherwise.

Mr. Conyers spent a great deal of time compiling his list of impeachable offenses against Bush and Cheney. Many of us were shocked when he just folded his cards after Pelosi became Speaker, and began to follow the "no impeachment" line. It puzzles me still that he continues to publicly support Pelosi's mantra on the subject.

We Dems have to get over worrying what someone is going to say about us. They're going to say it, whether it's true of not. Sticks and stone, and all that!

I think that one strong leader who tells it like it is, and does not cower under the threat of possibly losing the coming election over lies and deceit, will be the storied Pied Piper who will lead us...where we need to go. May he or she throw down the glove soon!

Failing that, I know that there are going to be a lot of Democrats who are going to be at home on election day 2008, sitting on their hands and grinding their teeth, torn over a feeling that not voting is the cardinal political sin, but not being able to betray their deepest instincts for decency and honor in our country. Voting for the lesser evil is only going to bring more evil.

It may be that We the People don't know the half of it. We know enough to demand that our elected leaders uphold their oaths of office.

[peacetheonlyway]

33. Beg to Differ, We the People KNOW plenty

I'm about to depose Cathy Cox the former SOS for Georgia and the citizens, we know plaenty.

the bottom line is we have to take back our elections and make them clean and then put all the criminals (house, senate, presi. veep, sec. of state, pentagon officials, the whole crew in jail.

I love conyers for all he's done but on this one I BEG TO DIFFER AND I KNOW LOTS.

i know that they found osama bin laden and decided to let him escape because he was with the saudi prince in tora bora.

I know that Cheney has many divisions of the goverment looking for him in the not so good way of looking for him .

I know that if we don't get Conyer's support the State of Washington will demand impeachment investigations, so we have a backup plan.


we the people. we know plenty.

sooner or later the criminals will go to jail.

you can count on it....

[Norrin Radd]

34. My representative Jim McDermott has an impeccable voting record, already,

but, I'm particularly proud of and pleased with him, because of signing on to H.R. 333.