Impeachment: the double-edged sword

[AnarchoFreeThinker]

Okay, I'm all for impeachment, but here's why I don't think it can or should be used as an election issue by Democrats before the midterms.

1. In midterm elections, the people who vote usually are from the more extreme wings of their party. Diehard lefties from the Democrats, absolute wingnuts from the elephants. The middle usually stays home.

2. Diehard lefties (and even many moderate lefties) are already sufficiently motivated to vote this year.

3. Diehard righties are not sufficiently motivated. The elephants have fractured off this part of their following by foolishly making immigration an issue, spending like maniacs, running up debt, botching a war, letting Osama vacation in Pakistan, general incompetence, etc. The libertarian righties also are pissed about having their phone calls tapped, and the vets don't like their personal info being left on some beauracrat's kitchen table for the picking.

4. Diehard righties comprise the 29% who support the president. Impeaching him is one threat that might provoke more of them to trudge up to pull the red lever.

This, I think, is the calculation the Democrats have made and why they're backing off impeachment before the election. In midterms, when the middle usually stays home, giving the diehard right a cause isn't a good idea. And it isn't going to get that many more of US to vote if we think impeachment is imminent. We'll already be there.

But given the president's dismal approval ratings, wouldn't raising impeachment as an issue actually bring more middle-of-the-road Democrats and *-haters to the polls? It's possible, but I think we'd have to look at the "strongly disapprove" part of those polls. Simple disapproval may not motivate anyone to vote. I suspect that the strong disapprovers already will be there. Let's make sure the lukewarm approvers and right-wing diehards don't have any more reasons to leave their homes on Election Day.

I have different feelings about what should happen after Election Day, when "new" info comes out. Of course, some will, and it will justify looking into the issue again. They can't hide everything anymore.

[rodeodance]

1. From what I can tell, lots (dems included)--just do not want the gov tied

up in a major impeachment. They want something positive done about the war, health care and the enviroment-to name a few major issues.


....But given the president's dismal approval ratings, wouldn't raising impeachment as an issue actually bring more middle-of-the-road Democrats and *-haters to the polls? It's possible, but I think we'd have to look at the "strongly disapprove" part of those polls. Simple disapproval may not motivate anyone to vote. I suspect that the strong disapprovers already will be there. Let's make sure the lukewarm approvers and right-wing diehards don't have any more reasons to leave their homes on Election Day.

[waiting for hope]

2. I'm all for impeachment....

but am very leary of who would be left in charge........Darth Cheney. Think about it, he already is pulling the puppet's strings but do we really want him in a position of absolute power since the GOP congress has increased the Presidency's influence? Scares the crap out of me....

[AndyA]

3. While I basically agree with what you're saying,

I think honesty is what Americans need to see now, above all else. We've been lied to, manipulated, threatened, and abused by the Republicans/Bush Administration for 6 years. Congress has failed to do its job in holding the Executive Branch accountable for its actions.

It's really time to say, "Enough is enough. No more lies. No more sneaky deals. No more closed meetings. No more secrets to cover up illegal/unethical activities." The problem is, I think some of the Dems have as much to hide as the Repugs. It's time for truth and honesty, and that will take a clean sweep. Out with the old liars, and in with new representation that will restore America to the great country it once was, before everyone lost track of what's really important.

The fact that more people will vote for an American Idol contestant than the Presidential elections shows Americans have lost sight of what their priorities need to be. By the time they realize this, it may be too late.

[Minnesota Libra]

4. Number 4 says it all on this issue - at the very least the Democratic.....

......Party should table this impeachment talk until November 8th. I know, I know, some are going to call that being a wuss but it's not being cowardly at all - rather it's being politically smart. I want to provide neocon/fundies all the reason they need to ride out this election cycle at home on their couch. Then, on November 8th, if/when we regain control of Congress we go to work and permanently destroy the jerks. :bounce:

[bryant69]

5. It can't be just about impeachment at any rate

We need a positive agenda. We are going to reign in the White House (even fi we don't impeach), and of course Republicans are going to paint that as the sky falling - but we need to have stuff we want to do as well.

Bryant
Check it out --> http://politicalcomment.blogspot.com

[AnarchoFreeThinker]

7. absolutely.

[Scoody Boo]

6. I've never gotten excited about impeachment, ever...

Because I have never felt that it would happen even if we had a majority. To many members of Congress will be too squeamish to go for it, even Democratic members.

Now, a lot of Democratic candidates are campaigning that they will not seek the impeachment of Bush if elected. I expect these Democrats to keep their words. If you plan to impeach Bush, either say so or don't bring it up. I do not want to see a Democrat lie to get elected and then be going all apeshit at the podium about Bush lying.

Shit like that I expect from Republicans but will not tolerate from Democrats.

We just won't have the numbers so I just don't dwell on stuff like this. If nothing else, I take comfort in that 2009 WILL get here, right on schedule.