McDermott (D-WA) to Cheney: ‘Resign or face impeachment’

[babylonsister]

http://thehill.com/leading-the-news/mcdermott-to-cheney-resign-or-face-impeachment-2007-06-29.html

McDermott to Cheney: ‘Resign or face impeachment’
By Chris Good
June 29, 2007


Rep. Jim McDermott (D-Wash.) told Vice President Dick Cheney to “resign or face impeachment” Thursday night as three more House Democrats lent their support to a plan to impeach the vice president.

“The vice president holds himself above the law, and it is time for the Congress to enforce the law,” McDermott said in a floor speech. “For the good of the nation, the vice president could leave office immediately.”

McDermott was one of three House Democrats to come out in favor of impeachment Thursday, along with Reps. Keith Ellison (Minn.) and Hank Johnson (Ga.). Including the three lawmakers, seven members in June have shown new support for impeaching Cheney.

McDermott cited Cheney’s refusal to cooperate with the Information Security Oversight Office (ISOO), which, pursuant to an order signed by President Clinton, oversees the handling of classified documents by executive agencies. McDermott denounced a 2004 claim that Cheney’s office is not part of the executive branch.

“When a sitting vice president claims that he is not part of the executive branch of government to which he was elected, it is time to remove him from office,” McDermott said.

more...

[blogslut]

1. I love Jim McDermott

His speeches are always stunning.

[lovuian]

9. I love him too

its the Irish fighting

[Pastiche423]

20. Although I don't live in his district or state

I've been sending him money when I can to help w/his lawsuit brought by Boner. (Yeah, I know that's not spelled right, but he doesn't deserve the time it would take to look up the correct spelling.)

I :loveya: Jim!

[Matariki]

44. He's great! I'm so happy to live in his district

Of all our reps here - meaning Patty Murry & Maria Cantwell (especially Cantwell), he actually sends thoughtful, personal replies when you write to him. And he is on the right side of everything. It's so nice to have a rep you can be proud of.

[calimary]

59. I do, too. Guys, if you can, he needs help with his legal defense fund.

He's a really good guy. Proved it yet again by signing on with HR333.

[youngdem]

2. That's so cute. He sounds like he means it too

Wonder if he bothered to take an informal vote? Nah....Just go for it.


:eyes:


I do wish we could impeach these crooks, but this guy is in fantasy land threatening Darth Vader without the votes.

Landrieu, LIEberman and 100% of Repukes won't vote for this, and will filibuster it GUARANTEED. What is this moran doing, besides spending the Dems' credibility on a sunk issue?

[babylonsister]

5. At least he has the BALLS to express how he feels. nt

[youngdem]

8. Expressing how he feels would have been "I think Cheney should be impeached"....He THREATENED Cheney

While COMPLETELY unable to back it up. That isn't expressing yourself. That is crying wolf, or a false threat, both of which are stupid, pointless and dangerous. They also make you look impotent when you can't follow through.

[babylonsister]

12. Maybe he knows something you don't - just a thought. nt

[blondeatlast]

13. Too young to remember Spiro Agnew, youngdem, I take it.

That's how Nixon lost his almost as evil VP in the 1970s.

[youngdem]

27. Plenty old enough to know we have a Congress made up of lesser men than then

I know they have committed impeachable offenses, but I have no faith in the honor of the men entrusted to lead our Legislature. All Republicans and a fair number of Dems are bought and paid for by interests that will protect Bush no matter what, and it seems childish for this Congressman to assert this threat with no indication there is anything to back it up.

Such false moves make us look weak.

And don't be so quick to assume that young refers to my age...you know what they say about those that assume :hi:

[TheWatcher]

31. This Congress couldn't possibly look more impotent than it does right now

I'm sure you'll be happy to explain to all of us how laying down and appeasing these monsters has been so effective so far.

[yodermon]

21. No kidding.

I wish these radical lefty Dems would understand that politics always trumps the rule of law. The American public won't stand for another impeachment fiasco, no matter where the evidence leads.

[Phredicles]

26. They won't, no matter the evidence? You've asked them this?

How kind and thoughtful of you to speak for them in this way.:eyes:

[ConsAreLiars]

52. Great summary of the

pro-fascist talking points. Karl Rove himself couldn't have done better!

[robinlynne]

73. oh really? where do you find data to back up that surmise?

[Ghost in the Machine]

33. and with people like you to keep telling everyone that impeachment

won't work or is a waste of time, and calling people who advocate it "living in fantasyland" we're sure to get groundswell of support, right? RIGHT???

Whether the impeachment process passes or fails, the important thing is to at least try. We have to at least try goddammit! What don't people understand about that? We have to try to save face, AS A NATION, because the rest of the world is watching us.

[rateyes]

43. Senators can't filibuster an impeachment....

Impeachment is done in the House of Representatives...it just needs a majority. The trial is in the Senate.

[1monster]

68. If the House impeached, and went about it in a way which used their

investigative abilities to gather the already easily available evidence and the not so easily gained evidence, I think they could build a strong enough case that many Republicans would have no choice but to convict. Perhaps even Lieberman!

It was a different time, but Nixon didn't resign because the Democrats were impeaching him. He resigned because his own party went to him and told him he would be convicted.

I don't want Cheney to resign. I want him and the rest of the BFEE impeached, convicted, indicted, and tried for crimes against America, Iraq, Afganistan, and the whole freakin' world.

[1monster]

69. BTW, Lieberman and the rest of the Senate don't have a vote on whether

or not to impeacha Cheney or Bush for that matter.

It is only the House that votes to impeach.

An impeachment is like a District Attorney getting an indictment against someone and then bringing that someone to trial.

The House brings charges (impeaches) and prosecutes the trial.

The Senate is the jury. They vote to convict or not.

The Chief Justice presides as Judge, but his job is not like a judge in a regular trial.

[Hart2008]

74. Per the Constitution, the Chief Justice only presides when the President is impeached.

Cheney, as President of the Senate, could claim the right to preside over his own impeachment trail in the Senate!
:banghead:

The Constitution and Impeachment

The Constitution, Article II, Section 4:
The President, Vice President and all civil Officers of the United States, shall be removed from Office on Impeachment for, and Conviction of, Treason, Bribery, or other high Crimes and Misdemeanors.

The Constitution, Article I, Section 3:
The Senate shall have the sole Power to try all Impeachments. When sitting for that Purpose, they shall be on Oath or Affirmation. When the President of the United States is tried, the Chief Justice shall preside: And no Person shall be convicted without the Concurrence of two thirds of the Members present.

Judgment in Cases of Impeachments shall not extend further than to removal from Office, and disqualification to hold and enjoy any Office of honor, Trust, or Profit under the United States, but the Party convicted shall nevertheless be liable and subject to Indictment, Trial, Judgment, and Punishmnet, according to Law.

[SpiralHawk]

3. It is definitely TIME TO ENFORCE THE LAW

Despite what they believe about themselves, republicons are not above the law. It is not only morally wrong for them to lie, steal, cheat and commit treason, it is against the law of these United States of America.

Deal with it, republicons.

[mnhtnbb]

4. Good for McDermott.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

6. Looks like another letter to my conman is in order

I doubt if he will support H Res 333, since he is a repuke, but I can keep on asking. I think I'll cite John Quincy Adams' stand for the Consitution and ask John Boozman to be as brave.

[Old and In the Way]

7. The call for Impeachment is starting to take hold in Congress...

perhaps after summer recess, we'll see more committed to this action...the Executive and DoJ is leaving no other options for accountability.

[blondeatlast]

10. It worked for Spiro Agnew. I like the resignation idea.

:thumbsup: Rep. McDermott!

[blueworld]

11. McDermott is one of the best Dems we have in Congress; he's terrific n/t

[Greeby]

14. Hank Johnson? Well, colour me suprised

I had him pegged as a DLC dullard who's candidacy was a means of getting rid of Cynthia McKinney. But he's been here six months and gone further than she did in 6 years

[SeattleGirl]

15. McDermott is my representative, and I love him!

He's not afraid to stand up and tell the truth, and say what needs to be said! :applause:

[mdmc]

16. dont rock the boat

the people want impeachment
the corporations don't

[gratuitous]

17. More like this, please

Maybe we can't impeach Cheney by the Fourth of July, as some folks would like. But saying this sort of thing on June 29, and saying it again over and over, and you rally the support you need to make it happen. The Democratic leadership is surely aware of the sentiments of the impeachment crowd; they need to be made aware that it isn't just 10% or 25% or even just 40% of folks. There are lots and lots of people all over the country disgusted with this murderous outlaw regime, and part of Congress' current unpopularity is directly attributable to their slow going on getting these crooks out of power.

The people only had one chance to vote. It's time our leaders began acting as if we meant it, because we did.

[More Than A Feeling]

18. Just called my reps office to ask him to sign on as well. n/t

[formercia]

19. Jim McDermott is a very intelligent man

There's a man who can spot a Psychopath a mile off.

[meow2u3]

48. McDermott was a Army psychiatrist during the Vietnam era

He treated many returning soldiers for PTSD. He sure can spot a sociopath from a mile away, and that means Cheney!

[FogerRox]

22. If I was Cheney, I would claim Executive Priviledge, and be done with it...

/snark

[shadowknows69]

24. Wait for it n/t

[BearSquirrel2]

28. Yes, this is the point ...

An impeachment charge followed by a hasty claim of executive privelege is enough to Cheney's ass canned for good. I'm not sure about GW Bush. But I'm 100% sure that Cheney will not finish his term in office.

We all know that if Bush is to be impeached, Cheney would have to be first.

[file83]

40. That would be ironic, wouldn't it?

First he claims he isn't part of the Executive Branch, but then claims Executive Privilege.

Oh man, I hope he does it too.

[FogerRox]

51. Ah yes, the ironey of being the first sitting VP (IIRC) to be indicted since Spiro.

[catmandu57]

23. The calls for justice are getting louder

This was unthinkable only a few short months ago, we here called for darth's head a long time ago, now, though people who one wouldn't think would back impeachment are doing just that.
As dicK digs in his heels this summer, as more and more of his treasonous acts come to light the call for his and others removal will be so loud they can't be ignored, or ignored at their own peril.

[Phredicles]

25. A Democrat with a backbone! I love it!

:applause::applause::applause::applause::applause::applause::applause::applause::applause::applause::applause:

[madamesilverspurs]

39. A backbone, indeed.

Let's encourage him to open a franchise, maybe spines will suddenly become fashionable!

[Philosoraptor]

29. I LOVE his strategic and economic use of common words.

[conscious evolution]

30. WOOHOO!!!

My Rep,Hank Johnson,also signed on today!!:bounce: :applause: :headbang:

[proud patriot]

32. Woo Hoo

:headbang:

[Laelth]

34. Impeach now!

I don't care whether we have the votes to remove any of these rascals from office (though I wish we did). Democrats have been saying for years that the * administration has been shredding the Constitution of the US. If that's true, we should impeach. If that's not true, we're liars. Which is it? Personally, I'd rather stand up for the Constitution and lose than let it die a slow death because we, supposedly, can't win.

-Laelth

[Rose Siding]

35. I had the honor of voting to send Jim to Washington to represent me

You're welcome.

[SeattleGirl]

36. Me too, Rose

:hi:

[Rose Siding]

37. Feels great, doesn't it?

:D

[SeattleGirl]

38. Sure does! I went to the district caucus in 2004, and he was there to speak.

When he got to the stage, the place went nuts, clapping, cheering, and whistling. It was great!

[Norrin Radd]

53. And me, too too.

Am in Fremont.

[SeattleGirl]

55. All right!

It's so nice to have a genuinely GOOD person to vote for, isn't it? :bounce: :bounce:

[Norrin Radd]

64. Absolutely!

[flamingyouth]

41. Me too.

:)

[SeattleGirl]

56. Yeah, baby!

:bounce: :bounce:

[EFerrari]

42. Jim was Andy's rep. He helped me and I'll never forget that.

To you, Jim. :toast:

[SeattleGirl]

57. I'm not at all surprised, sfexpat.

McDermott CARES about people.

I'll join in a toast to Jim: :toast:

[Matariki]

45. You can show your appreciation by contributing to Jim McDermott's legal defense fund

to help cover the cost of the suit John Boehner brought against him.

http://www.mcdermottlegaltrust.org/

"My legal battle with Rep. John Boehner (R–OH) began nearly nine years ago when I was handed a tape recording of then-House Speaker Newt Gingrich and his leadership team plotting to evade the no-spin provision of a plea agreement with the House Ethics Committee. I gave members of the press access to that recording. They in turn published portions of the plot in their newspapers, and the story generated extensive public interest.

The Republicans responded with a lawsuit against me."


In May, a federal court ordered McDermott to pay Boehner $700,000 in damages and legal costs. The suit, Boehner vs. McDermott, was the first ever between two sitting Representatives."

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/231612/mcdermott_must_pay_damages_for_giving.html

[Matariki]

46. and...

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2002988658_clinton12m.html

[Usrename]

47. he says it all..

“When a sitting vice president claims that he is not part of the executive branch of government to which he was elected, it is time to remove him from office,” McDermott said.

BRAVO!

[lonestarnot]

49. Ok so how many does that make on the sin wagon?

[KT2000]

50. Thank you Jim McDermott

That is what we need to see and hear - someone standing up for this country.
That is great!
:thumbsup:

[Vidar]

54. Thank you, Rep. McDermott.

[Norrin Radd]

58. I just sent my email of thanks to Rep. McDermott.

It's refreshing having a representative who actually represents the will of constituents.

[upi402]

60. I send his money from time to time

He stood up for us and put his neck on the block. And he's not backing down even after the elites use their activist courts.

[Norrin Radd]

63. Yeah, he'll definately be getting a donation from me.

[L. Coyote]

61. Hey Dick, prove you are not part of the government. "Just leave."

We might let you stay in the country! Not saying where just yet. :rofl:

[shireen]

62. should be "resign AND face impeachment"

don't care which one comes first, that demented freak needs to pay for his crimes. Not in a country-club white collar jail, but in one of those nasty prisons they feature on MSNBC.

[mmonk]

65. Another one with a conscience

and love for the constitution. The one thing that gives me a glimmer of hope is to watch another official realize where we are and how dangerous it is to ignore it.

[Philosoraptor]

66. !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[sicksicksick_N_tired]

67. Rep. McDermott has always spoke truth to power!!

Thank you, sir! :patriot:

[Cheap_Trick]

70. waaay past time

to remove the tin man from office

[BrklynLiberal]

71. I hope McDermott does not have some unfortunate "accident"..

I would put nothing past BushCo

[ClayZ]

72. Yay! K and R