Reply #1: Impeachment without removal

[Warpy]

would involve a formal airing of the charges against a monarchial presidency. The lack of removal would result from purely partisan voting (well, plus Lieberman). The party would be exposed as the party of dictatorship.

My own feeling is that Senators are loath to give up their jobs, cushy days of voting on bills they have not read, being treated to sumptuous dining by lobbyists, knowing they have the best socialized medicine in the world, and watching both pensions and portfolios accrue. My guess is that they will sacrifice this lame duck for their own survival.

If not, they will not survive.

In any impeachment, what is on trial is our system of government. Never has this been clearer than now.