Impeach Bush/Cheney resolution WILL be presented to the MA DEM convention

[paineinthearse]

Just returned from a regional delegates meeting. A fellow delegate has drafted a resolution (requires 50 delegate signatures) to impeach blivit and the vice blivit that will be placed in front of the convention!

:woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo:

I don't know the organizers' plans for logistics to obtain more signatures, but when you get to the convention, check in with the Bonifaz people.

Stay tuned for details.

[PuraVidaDreamin]

1. This otta be interesting

saw it with my own eyes- Delahunt wants this issue
to go away-

Pelosi on MTP- 'no we just want investigations'

The dems need to start accepting this.

[Cos]

2. So it needs... 500 delegate signatures?

Or is the requirement lower for a resolution?

[paineinthearse]

4. I've been told 50

So says the person running the Metro-West Dems delegate meeting, and she should know, she's Ms. Democrat around these parts.

[Squeech]

3. Good plan

Do you have any links to really good explanations of how the impeachment process from the state level is supposed to work, what the constitutional basis is, that sort of thing?

I ran into my state representative not long ago and told her about the idea, and she's interested... but she needs some background.

[paineinthearse]

5. The basis of state-initiated impeachment is the Jefferson Manual

Try these resources:

JEFFERSON'S MANUAL - http://www.inetresults.com/impeach/strategy.html

According to Section 603 of Jefferson's Manual, "there are various methods of setting an impeachment in motion": 1) By charges made on the floor by a member of the House; 2) By charges preferred by a memorial filed by a House member; 3) By charges contained in a Resolution introduced by a House member; 4) By a message from the President; 5) By charges transmitted by a State legislature, or a grand jury; 5) By facts developed and reported by an investigating committee of the House.

According to Section 604 of the Manual, " direct proposition to impeach is a question of high privilege in the House and at once supersedes business otherwise in order under the rules governing the order of business." It does not lose its privilege just because "a similar proposition has been made at a previous time during the same session of Congress." On the other hand, "a resolution simply proposing an investigation, even though impeachment may be a possible consequence, is not privileged." Where, however, "a resolution of investigation positively proposes impeachment or suggests that end, it has been admitted as of privilege."

The evidence supporting an impeachment resolution or a memorial suggesting an impeachment investigation may be based upon a variety of sources, including "common fame." (Section 304) "Common fame" includes information contained in newspaper and other media reports, as well as rumors commonly circulated in the community. The evidence upon which a resolution or memorial is based need not, therefore, be of the kind admissible and sufficient to prove a case in a court of law.

Once an impeachment resolution has been introduced or "charges suggesting impeachment have been made by memorial," the House may order an investigation at once or refer the charges to a Committee for examination and, if the Committee deems it appropriate for an investigation. (Section 605) The Committee may be "a select committee" or a "standing" one. In some instances the Committee has made its "inquiry ex parte," but "in the later practice the sentiment of committees has been in favor of permitting the accused to explain, present witnesses, cross-examine and be represented by counsel." (Section 606)

The purpose of the Committee investigation is to determine if there is sufficient evidence to charge an impeachable offense. If there is, then each "accusation" is to be "exhibited" as an "Article of Impeachment" and, if approved by the full House, "carried to the bar of the Senate" for trial with the House assuming the role of prosecutor. (Section 609)

Other resources:

Local initiatives - http://www.impeachbush.tv/impeach/bystate.html

History of State Initiated Impeachment - http://www.impeachbush.tv/impeach/statebasis.html

Constitutional Grounds for Presidential Impeachment - http://www.afterdowningstreet.org/node/8959

Impeachable Offenses - http://www.impeachbush.tv/impeach/offenses.html

Precedents for Starting a Federal Impeachment in a State or City - http://www.afterdowningstreet.org/?q=precedents

Have your rep digest this and get back to us.

Thanks for the inspiration, see the break-out post in POLITICS - http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=2619760&mesg_id=2619760