bush & Cheney are convicted criminals; is it legal in US to hold office?

[LynnTheDem]

I presume it is legal to hold office in the USA when you have a criminal record, since both the current pResident and vice pResident have records (DUIs), but I can't find anything online about it.

For myself, I think people with criminal records should be allowed to hold elected offices IF they fully disclose first having criminal records. After all, it's supposed to be the peoples' choice, and if they want to choose a criminal, that's up to the people.

The problem I can see would be having a leader who needs special permission to visit other nations, such as bush needing special permission to cross the Canadian border (Canada doesn't allow people with DUIs to enter the country without special dispensation). But that's not a huge hurdle, really. Doesn't look good, but...

It's nice to show the world that reformed criminals can also aspire in America to the highest offices...but on the other hand, having people with criminal records holding such high offices tarnishes the offices somewhat, imo.

What do ya'll think?

[BlueEyedSon]

1. Not felonies, unfortunately

[LynnTheDem]

2. So if you have a felony conviction

then you can't hold office, even if We the People want that person? And you can hold office with a criminal record IF the crimes aren't felonies?

[stellanoir]

8. Nahhh. . .felons have a much more crucial role

in the scheme of things . . from Hack the Vote

"Let me sum this up - we have extremely insecure and poorly designed software, written by convicted felons, poorly and restrictively tested, distributed by a company with a known strong partisan bias, deployed insecurely, with many of the systems incapable of producing a paper ballot that can be used in the event of a hand recount. "

http://www.chuckherrin.com/rants.htm

[bowens43]

3. I don't believe that there is any prohibition against holding

office if you are a convicted criminal even if you have been convicted of committing felonies.

[LynnTheDem]

5. Ok thanks

I think that's as it should be, really, because it should be up to We the People...butbut is there some law that the person seeking office must make full disclosure?

That's the only bit that ticks me off re bush & Cheney; they sought to cover up their records. That's because they're hypocritical sleazy slimey people in general, of course, but there should be a law requiring full disclosure, and I dunno if there is any such a law?

[auburngrad82]

4. They can hold office but their voting rights would be purged by Jeb

But then again, they're rich white guys so maybe not.

[LynnTheDem]

7. Oh geez never thought of that, LOL!

Can bush & Cheney legally vote, with their criminal records??? Wouldn't that be hilarious, their votes for themselves disallowed, LOL!!!

Hubby says yes they can vote, because it's only recent law that says you can't vote if you have DUI records. DRATS! :D

[FloridaPat]

6. Being a criminal seems to be the basic requirement nowadays.

I'm sure if it was a problem, they would change the laws in a flash with an executive order.

[noonwitch]

9. DUI wasn't a felony when they were arrested/convicted

Under current laws, Cheny wouldn't be able to hold office. He was a multiple offender.

Bush had one arrest. I'm not sure, but in some states he'd be a convicted felon and in others, it's a misdemeanor with lots of fines and a probation period involved.

[drunkdriver-in-chief]

13. Bush was convicted of misdemeanor DUI in Maine in 76

http://archives.cnn.com/2000/ALLPOLITICS/stories/11/02/bush.dui/

I think democrats should make an issue of this since it makes bush a convicted drug criminal. But as usual, they refuse to make personal attacks, even truthful ones.

[Silverhair]

10. Nothing about it in the constitution.

Besides, a single DUI is NOT a major crime. The DUI issue was tried by the Democrats in 2000 and didn't work.

[demokatgurrl]

11. Don't worry, if they find themselves doing anything illegal

they'll just have the law changed.

[PaganPreacher]

12. Two words: Marion Berry.

Berry spent 6 months in federal prison for cocaine possession, then was elected to the DC City Council in 1992, after release from prison. Also did his 4th term as DC mayor after serving time.

John Kerry was convicted of trespassing in Lexington, MA in 1971.

Al Sharpton has a federal conviction for trespassing, from 2001.

The Pagan Preacher
I don't turn the other cheek.