Should Dems begin the impeachment process - Y or N?

[Patiod]

I'm wondering if there's anyone here on DU who believes that impeachment might not be the way to go.

There's probably not a person in the Democratic Party (much less here on DU) who doesn't think we need lots and lots of fresh air and sunlight, as provided by hearings, so that's not at issue

What I'm asking is not what you wish, not what they deserve, simply "Do you think it's a practical thing for the Democrat Party to do?"

I'm curious if there are anti-impeachment folks who just haven't joined the fray for fear of being beaten, bruised or flamed here on DU for not toeing what seems to be the party line.

[wryter2000]

1. Bogus choices

Where's "Hearings now. Impeachment if there's any chance of getting a conviction"?

[William769]

2. Thats what I was thinking.

So I gues my vote would be other.

[wryter2000]

6. I'm tempted to post my own poll

"Are you in favor of impeachment if there's no possibility of conviction? Yes or No." I'll bet I'd collect a lot of Yeses.

[last1standing]

3. Agreed. This poll is worse than useless.

It doesn't provide a choice for those (the majority, I hope) who feel we need hearings, THEN use the evidence they provide to decide on whether impeachment is an option - both ethically and politically.

[Geoff R. Casavant]

7. Most DU polls are pretty worthless anyway

The limited choices don't allow for nuance, and here at DU, I've noticed we "do" nuance pretty well.

If I were King of DU, I'd scrap the "pick one" polls in favor of in-depth discussion.

[Patiod]

10. But polls do have one advantage: anonymity

for folks who fear they might be flamebait if they express their opinions

(GD? Flaming? Mais non!)

[Geoff R. Casavant]

14. Point taken

Then again, there's no requirement that anyone respond to a flame. Flame wars only get started because someone gets an ego bruise and bruises back.

[hughee99]

5. I agree, how can you NOT have hearings

and I think if it's predetermined that the hearings will not lead to impeachment, then it will just be a lot of grandstanding with little real value. Have the hearings, if they lead to impeachment, then impeach.

[AZBlue]

17. No kidding! I can't vote in a poll that doesn't give real choice.

eom

[mike_c]

4. I think you should modify your poll....

Impeachment follows the introduction of articles of impeachment. That will certainly involve hearings, and be drawn up by congressional counsel, then introduced to the floor after committee review. A one-off call for impeachment is really just political grandstanding.

So I am 100 percent in favor of impeachment, but the real deal.

[flobee1]

11. Hearings lead to bigger things

Impeaching bush will solve nothing
and it could be viewed as bitterness
start the hearings-the truth will come out and we can go from there


baby steps.........

[Patiod]

8. I'm heading off for the train home, so not ignoring replies

Just wanted a read for my own curiosity.

The problem with "hearings, then impeachment if anything turns up" is that it would be
0% impeach
0% hearings, no impeachment
100% hearings, impeachment if anything turns up

which doesn't really tell me anything. As I said, I was just curious if there are folks here who think it's not going to be productive in the long run, or if folks are pretty much "impeachment or bust".

No dark motives, I promise.....

[wryter2000]

13. I'm not sure

Based on some of the posts I've read here, some people would vote impeach or not impeach.

Heck, I've seen posts that call for immediate impeachment even before we take control.

[Avalux]

9. I can't pick either one of those.

Investigations/hearings that inevitably lead to impeachment is what I chose.

[omega minimo]

12. bullshit. more confusing false choices. reinforces confusion about what impeachment IS

which appears to escape the poll creator as well.

and "party line"? :evilfrown:


Why are so many here TRYING to be divisive about this?

[Geek_Girl]

15. Hearings then Indictments then convictions

nt

[merci_me]

16. I vote "no" because Senator Feingold said so.

I can't for the life of me remember why. Last spring, I was saying "yes", but then I saw Senator Feingold on one of the talk shows explaining why a vote for impeachment was not the way to go.

I've since forgotten his points, but the bottom line.....if he says it's not a good idea, I certainly wouldn't argue with him. I don't trust many in DC, but he's definitely one I trust.

[Patiod]

18. "how important is impeachment to the Dem agenda?"

would have been a MUCH better question, with a rating: 1-10 or 1-5, with "10" being "I don't care what else they do as long as they impeach the bastard" and "1" being "I hate the bastard, but impeachment is about #128 on my list"

That's what happens when you think up a poll right before your train comes...

[in_cog_ni_to]

19. Hearings that will LEAD TO IMPEACHMENT! You need to add that choice...then I'll vote.

:hi:

[Selatius]

20. If all of you people held hearings and found evidence of wrongdoing, you are not going to impeach?

If I found out you murdered somebody and stuffed the body in your basement, am I simply going to stop at the fact that I found out? Or should I go ahead and take the final step and call the police and "make a big issue" out of it?

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

21. Legitimate And Official Open Congressional Hearings First. Then We'll See Where They End Up.

If it is ever to occur, it is to be done in the correct responsible manner as opposed to the reckless, useless, futile, emotionally clouded, sure to lose us the majority and presidency, doomed to fail, sure to backfire and over before it started way that some seem to advocate here.

I'm sure with thorough and official congressional investigations there can be more than enough evidence obtained to potentially warrant going forward with such an act. But investigations first. Then we'll see where that puts us in terms of impeachment.

[BuyingThyme]

22. Many at DU are now authoritarian tools.

The friggin' General Accounting Office has done enough investigating to warrant immediate impeachment hearings.

The Supreme Court has handed down decisions which warrant immediate impeachment hearings.

Don't start following the Shepherd Dems. The only reason they have this opportunity because you forced them to take it.

You've been absolutely right for six years! Most of them are still just figuring out how things actually work in Bush World.

Stop it!

[The Gunslinger]

23. there should be a choice for conviction for war crimes

The situation in Iraq cannot be resolved until those who were at fault are removed from office and held accountable for al the world to see. A vote against impeachment is a vote to stay the corse with this current administration.