Reply #48: Bush and Cheney are a package -- you can't charge one w/o the other. . .

[pat_k]

. . .They colluded in the same crimes. Bringing articles against Cheney w/o charging Bush is tantamount to exonerating Bush.

Charge both and make the desired outcome crystal clear to the public -- i.e., that Bush and Cheney take the resignation "http://journals.democraticunderground.com/pat_k/12">exit strategy" in order to keep the White House in Republican hands. Democratic members fighting for impeachment need to be clear that they want things to play out this way because they do not want the nation to have ANY Question about whether or not their motivation is partisan.

When the leadership gets serious about impeachment, Bush and Cheney could be out faster than we can imagine. From http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=364&topic_id=2811631&mesg_id=2815352">Post #31

. . .Once the leadership makes specific accusations and declares their intent to impeach, we'll soon find out how many Republicans are actually willing to defend the indefensible. It may be fewer than we can imagine. For example, Bush's abuse of signing statements to nullify McCain's anti-torture amendment (the overwhelming will of the people) in order to keep torture "on the table" is not something that many would happily defend. Warner, Graham, McCain, and Collins (may have been others I'm not recalling) came out against the "War Criminals Protection Act." The "compromise" they got was not much of one, it just shifted the responsibility for actually approving torture to Bush (as opposed to approving it themselves and becoming War Criminals). Specter dismissed the WH defense of the criminal surveillance program as absurd. There are some other "rational" Republicans (Snowe, Hagel, and Lugar).

Republicans will have a choice. Defend the indefensible or "get it over with" ASAP by pressuring Bush and Cheney to take the resignation "exit strategy." Given the public's growing dismay at the arrogant, irresponsible, and autocratic Bush-Cheney White House, Republicans may be more than happy to be rid of them. . .