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S/SW blog philosophy -

I credit favorite writers and public opinion makers.

A lifelong Democrat, my comments on Congress, the judiciary and the presidency are regular features.

My observations and commentary are on people and events in politics that affect the USA or the rest of the world, and stand for the interests of peace, security and justice.


Tuesday, July 10, 2007

Current sentiment for impeachment?


Congress got back in town yesterday. Are the leaders ready to impeach (OCP) our current president? I do not believe the sentiment is there for it yet. But if OCP maintains his track record of performance it may build. The American people are influenced by what they see in the news. And these MSM opinion makers do not yet favor removal.
Mainstream media on "impeachment:" Today's post scans a few of the traditonal mainstream media outlets, looking for what seems to be happening on this front. For starters, Speaker Pelosi will not stop everything to fend off this threat, covered in this story by Reuters: (7/9/07) - "Sheehan challenges Pelosi to back Bush impeachment," and written by David Morgan. Quote,
Cindy Sheehan, who became a leading anti-war activist after her son died in Iraq, said on Monday she will run against House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi if the Democratic leader fails to seek the ouster of President George W. Bush within the next two weeks.
What are the current polls saying? The American people are not there yet. Two rather recent polls covered by MSM pulled in surprisingly different results about whether Americans in general favor impeachment:
  • Yahoo! News (7/6/07): "Much of US favors Bush impeachment: poll." Quote,

    Nearly half of the US public wants President George W. Bush to face impeachment, and even more favor that fate for Vice President Dick Cheney, according to a poll out Friday.

    The survey by the American Research Group found that 45 percent support the US House of Representatives beginning impeachment proceedings against Bush, with 46 percent opposed, and a 54-40 split in favor when it comes to Cheney.
  • USA TODAY/Gallup conducted a poll July 6-8, 2007. One of the questions asked was this,

    2. As you may know, impeachment is the first step in the constitutional process for removing a president from office, in which possible crimes are investigated and charges are made. Do you think there is or is not justification for Congress to begin impeachment proceedings against President Bush at this time?

    Yes, is = 36. No, is not = 62 No opinion = 3

In this ironic analysis the reporter casts blame along the whole of the political spectrum. He also uses an oft repeated argument comparing the current impeachment question to former President Clinton's experience. And we know that is a false argument mostly discredited by thoughtful people. The article comes from CNN.com (7/4/07). It is titled, "Analysis: Hypocrisy abounds on all sides of Libby case," and it is written by Ron Fournier. To quote,

The Libby case followed the same pattern of hype and hypocrisy established during Clinton's impeachment scandal. It's as if we're all sentenced to relive the same sad scene:

A powerful man lies or otherwise does wrong.

He gets caught.

His enemies overreach in the name of justice.

His friends minimize the crime in pursuit of self-interest.

And the powerful man hires a lawyer.

Marc Rich had a high-priced attorney for his battles with the justice system. His name was Scooter Libby.
Bloggers call for impeachment. I am not quite there yet, mostly because there is little chance that it will happen. I do think wishfully that the momentum will grow. I admire my blogger friends who are ahead of me -

  • "TXSHARON" at Bluedaze says: Enough is enough!

    Now that Bu$h has invoked Executive Privilege to prevent his stooges from testifying before Congress regarding the U.S. Attorney scandal, there will likely be more calls for impeachment.

  • "betmo" at life's journey regularly mentions the impeachment idea.

  • Several co-bloggers at The Reaction are calling for impeachment.


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