Tim Russert (D-WTF?!?) on impeachment in 1998 and 2006

[BurtWorm]

1998:
http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/media/july-dec98/impeach_12-14.html

TIM RUSSERT: If on Thursday, the House of Representatives votes to impeach the president, should he consider then resigning rather than dragging the country through a trial?

REP. TOM DELAY: Well, yes, he should consider now.


And in 2006:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/12612211/page/4/


MR. RUSSERT: Is impeachment off the table?

REP. PELOSI: Well, you never know where the facts take you, but the—for any president. But, but that isn’t what we’re about. What we’re about is going there and, and having high ethical standards, fiscal soundness and a level of civility that brushes away all this fierce partisanship.

MR. RUSSERT: Well, should John Conyers take his Web site down, talking about impeachment?

REP. PELOSI: John Conyers does what he does on his Web site. John Conyers is an enthusiastic advocate. I am the leader. Our caucus will decide where we go. But it’s not—you don’t decide to impeach. You—the facts support something like this, and that’s not where we’re going.

MR. RUSSERT: But the impression, Congresswoman, is that the Democrats take control of Congress it’s payback. They’re going to have the subpoena power...

REP. PELOSI: No. That’s not the case.

MR. RUSSERT: ...and there’s going to be investigation...

REP. PELOSI: Well, that’s wrong. Well, we will have subpoena power.

MR. RUSSERT: ...after investigation. You will have subpoena power.

REP. PELOSI: We will have subpoena power, and that’s why the Republicans are so afraid that we will be able to show the public how they arrived at a prescription drug bill that is born of corruption. The cost of corruption is, is huge to the consumer, whether it’s a sen—middle-income seniors paying more at the pharmacy, whether it’s the—all American consumers paying more at the pump, or home heating oil. How did we get to this place? Those—that is worthy of scrutiny. It’s not—investigation does not equate to impeachment. Investigation is the requirement of Congress. It’s about checks and balances.

[mohinoaklawnillinois]

1. Hypocrisy = Republican talking points..

Potato Face Russert = Republican talking head, ala Tony Blankley but without the Brit accent.

[chefgirl]

2. Another fine Republican talking point

I've been hearing this argument a lot lately..." but, but, the Dems will have impeachment power if they win back the house!"

The best answer any Dem can give to that one is "If they have nothing to hide, they have nothing to worry about".

That would be my entire answer, and then just let it hang in the air and see what the particular Republican shill du jour comes up with as an answer.

-chef-

[OregonBlue]

7. The best answer any Dem can give to that one is "If they have nothing to

hide, they have nothing to worry about. Agreed. Dems need to hit this one hard!

[Cosmocat]

12. RIGHT !!!

Have to turn this around on the pukes ...

KEY ... DO NOT talk about impeachment ...

1) Note the TOTAL absense of congressional oversight on the administrative office over the last 5 plus years ...
2) Note that democrats are committed to having congress carry out the constitutional duties that republicans have shirked if they get into the majority, which includes having hearings and investigations when questions arise about the conduct of the white house ...
3) RULE OF LAW ... As noted, if they did nothing wrong, they should have nothing to hide ... IF they oppose investigations, they oppose rule of law, and the constitution ...
4) IF they did something wrong, then the rule of law will dicated the final outcome ...

But, but, but ...

Repeat 1 through 4 ...

But, but, but ...

Repeat 1 through 4 ...

[OregonBlue]

14. Yah know Tim, I think the American people have the right to know

which corporations are writing their laws, who is getting no bid contracts from the Administration, how they have performed on those contracts. The American poeple have a right to know how their tax dollars are being spent, and where there is waste, fraud and abuse. As representatives of the people, we have an obiligation to get to the truth. If Republicans don't want us to investigate how taxpayer dollars are being spent, they should join us in real reform and in a bi-partisan investigation of crooked contractors and sweetheart, no bid deals. What are they afraid of Tim. Isn't this just another red herring to cover gross misuse of taxpayer dollars. BIG SMILE!!!

[Catrina]

8. 'If they have nothing to hide .....' Excellent response, and throwing

their own words back in their faces. Russert would have then said 'but does that mean that you will be going for impeachment'? Because he was TOLD by ROVE to ask that to get her on the record so that ROVE can play it for the base, to scare them with tales of Liberals impeaching Republicans. Russert was being a 'good German'.


So your response is perfect ~ and then all she had to say was 'as you know, there have to be grounds for impeachment, so Timmy, unless those grounds exist, Mr. Bush has nothing to worry about, don't you agree? (big smile after that).

And all Democrats should be prepared for the 'Dems are corrupt too' line, which Timmy dutifully delivered for Rove. They need to carry the long list of convicted, indicted and investigated Republicans under this administration with them, ready to be reamed off after the Rightwing Talking Heads on the Propaganda Machine try to use their talking points. It's a GREAT opportunity to put it all in perspective for the American people, who mostly don't know just how many Repubs have already been convicted.

Rove's strategy has been laid out, it was tested this weekend by his underlings on MTP and elsewhere, and it's really, really weak, considering the ammunition the Dems have. IF ONLY THEY USE IT!!

[Maven]

16. "investigation after investigation"

That's the real RW talking point. That's what gives him away.

[central scrutinizer]

3. Russert in 1998

<>


and Russert, today:

<>

[Vinnie From Indy]

4. Great comparison!

eom

[Senator]

5. k&r

[underpants]

6. Good find-that is actually laughable

in that I find myself laughing so my head doesn't split open.

[BurtWorm]

9. I love that he asked *DeLay* if Clinton should resign!

What range of answers might he have been expecting to get from that question...

:eyes:

[underpants]

10. Exactly

Do you think your adversary should just give up at the first hint of trouble?

Yes YES I DO

:eyes:

Why doesn't Russert just read it out

"It says here, this memo from Ken Mehlman, that you are just as guilty as they systematic corruption organized from the White House now aren't you?"

[BurtWorm]

11. Can't he be cited for plagiarism from RNC faxes?

I mean he doesn't even change the wording!

:wtf:

[wurzel]

13. "Surel;y it will be the Republicans who will impeach Bush."

The Democratic line should be: "The Republicans will impeach Bush if he lied and broke the law. After all they set the standard didn't they? Or are you suggesting they impeach Clinton for political reasons? No, it is certain that if Bush is found to have lied the Republicans will lead the impeachment drive."

[Tuesday_Morning]

15. Highly recommend

This diary on the subject:
http://dailykos.com/storyonly/2006/5/8/13191/83603
How Tim Russert Became Karl Rove's Bitch
By Kant

It's chock full of info about Russert and NBC and brings in a current Firedoglake conversation http://www.firedoglake.com/2006/05/07/late-nite-fdl-gop-boogeymen-and-other-media-phantoms/and a web article by David Podvin and Carolyn Kay called: Democracy, General Electric Stylehttp://www.makethemaccountable.com/coverup/Part_04.htm and examines some of the atrocities of the punditry.

My favorite tidbit from Jane Hamsher over at FDL:

Next time Russert and Matthews start quaking in their shoes at the thought of Democrats with subpoena power, I think it's time to remember that it's not their beloved Republicans they fear for, and given their ecstatic participation in the Cliniton hunt it sure isn't the public. Could it be their own sorry asses they fear being exposed? Is that why they're working overtime to spread GOP narratives and attempting to strike fear in the hearts of their viewers at the specter of impeachment?

[Norquist Nemesis]

17. When your script comes from GE...

well, enough said.

[EVDebs]

18. Dems need to do Lester Brown's Plan B and Amory Lovin's Oilendgame

Lester Brown's Plan B 2.0 is downloadable from the web at
http://www.earth-policy.org/Books/PB2/index.htm

and Amory Lovin's Winning the Oil End Game is downloadable from the web at
http://www.oilendgame.com/

Dems can run with this ! The corporate line is what the R's are pushing, along with further oil addiction, despite talking otherwise. Their lies continue. D's at least tell the truth.

[Orsino]

19. "the impression" = "some say" n/t

[BurtWorm]

20. "the impression" = "my Republican paymasters say"

:puke:

[cyclezealot]

21. Where do these talking heads get off.

It is the right of the AMerican people to select a Congress to do their bidding. In keeping with COlbert, the lazy media, a part of the BUsh cover up. We must all make our voices heard though. To convince the American people they have been conned and it is important to them to know the truth.
They are often too lazy and want to put their heads in the sand and ignore reality. We must not let them do that. Or else, they will not want to be bothered by the corruption of their government. We don't make the case, they might not care.
If we don't force the issues upon the American people Russert will continue in his cover up.