More and more each day, I'm convinced that the next President of the United States will...

[stevedeshazer]

...not be Hillary Clinton. Not Barack Obama. Not John Edwards. Not Wes Clark. Not Dennis Kucinich, whom I favor.

The next President will not be John McCain. It won't be Chuck Hagel, Mitt Romney, or Rudy Giuliani.

Folks, there is a political tsunami rolling our way the likes of which has never before been seen in America, bigger than the fall of Richard Nixon, the rise of Franklin Roosevelt and the New Deal, the trust-busting of Theodore Roosevelt, maybe even bigger than the man who saved the Union, Abraham Lincoln.

I now believe it is inevitable that the next President of the United States will be Nancy Pelosi.

Yes, I know the new Madame Speaker said that impeachment was off the table. However, that was before November 7th. Things change.

And, boy, will they ever change in the coming months when the Shooter is forced to testify at the Scooter's trial. When oil company executives are actually put under oath. When Americans find out what really happened in Cheney's meetings with energy industry tycoons. When crazy Ted Stevens blows a gasket. When John Conyers gets going as the chairman of the House Judiciary Committee.

Things will change when the remaining Republican congress critters start eating their own in order to cover their own corrupt asses before 2008. When the massive media machine cracks apart. When the malevolence of the drowning of New Orleans is investigated, as promised.

And, perhaps most importantly, the Pretender, now in hiding and, unsurprisingly, is huddling with the PNAC boys and planning war on Iran in order to serve their Saudi masters.

Americans have seen the enemy; this time, it ain't us.

This will all unfold in 2007. I no longer doubt that George W. Bush and his fly-boys are headed for some major turbulence. Who thinks he'll survive two more years?

I hope President Pelosi is up to the task, because there's one huge stinking mess to clean up. Someone's gotta do it.

Let's roll up our sleeves. There's something rotten in here.

Can't you smell it?

Phew. Like a refrigerator on a New Orleans sidewalk.

Madame President. Sounds good, don't you think?

[Fridays Child]

1. Flame away, if you must, but there's something so familiar about...

...about a woman coming in and cleaning up the "huge stinking mess" a man has made. And, believe me, she's up to the task. :)

[stevedeshazer]

3. No argument from me.

Not on that score.

[madokie]

42. I think so too

[Bluestar]

2. Yes, I agree

and I've thought this for a long time. Pelosi is smart saying "impeachment is off the table" because she knows some of the truth that is going to come from these investigations. Impeachment will not be necessary. The Republicans themselves will force Bush and Cheney to resign to save their own collective asses and their sorry excuse for a political party when the horrible, horrible truth comes out from these investigations.

[timtom]

48. Point of contention

"Impeachment will not be necessary. The Republicans themselves will force Bush and Cheney to resign..."

That may very well be, but impeachment is a process that must happen, regardless. It's kind of like a serial killer saying, "Wait! Don't prosecute me. I'll move to Tahiti, and you'll be rid of me once and for all."

"Oh. OK."

[Bluestar]

61. Your point is well-taken

I am more and more coming to the conclusion that we need to impeach in order to preserve the Constitution that these criminals have attempted to shred. I guess I was more focused on the immediate need of getting rid of the criminals themselves.

I think the false adulation that I've witnessed for Gerald Ford who prevented us from convicting Nixon points out to me that we need to get rid of the cancer, not just the symptoms. These people have proven that they have no shame, will pardon each other and will come back over and over again to destroy our country if they are not pursued to the fullest extent of the law.

[lostnotforgotten]

4. One Can Only Hope That The Texas Cockroach Could Suffer So Much Pain

eom

[Rosemary2205]

5. recommended just for the vibes

I think it's half possible and half wishful thinking but it's worth the wishful thinking! :)

[mnhtnbb]

7. Wishin' and hopin' won't make it so, though.

[mnhtnbb]

6. What makes you think Cheney--or any other of his buddies--will tell the truth?

[shraby]

8. Do you think they will ask questions of

Cheney and his buds that they don't already know the answers to? Lying will be obvious and prosecutable.

[mnhtnbb]

18. They'll get the classic, "I don't remember" BS

[stevedeshazer]

24. If he doesn't, he faces PRISON.

Ever been under oath?

Shooter will.

The threat of incarceration oughtta do it.

Shooter has never been forced to tell the truth before, just as the Boy King.

Tell me, how do you think he could get away with it now?

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

9. I'm for it

I hope that the investigations bear fruit and we ferret out all the corruption, starting with Bush and going down from there.

[bermudat]

10. Pelosi will be president before Hillary Clinton.

I am not usually clairvoyant but I keep seeing Pelosi as president. Cheney will suffer 'the big one' and bushler will have to leave office before the end of his term, so she will have to step into the presidency. I'm right ~50% of the time.

[MasonJar]

11. Let's Keep encouraging the Conyers of the new Congress, and

let's push for paper ballots by 2008. In addition we cannot wait two more years to begin to attack global warming. Folks, if the Amazon Rainforest goes, so does mankind.

[truedelphi]

16. It's not that simp[le Even if we kept the Amazon

Rainforest, if we lose the glaciers (which seems to be happening) if we lose the corral reefs (Which seems to be happening) if we lost the plankton (which seems to be happening

<sigh> we are done.

[stevedeshazer]

23. So we should just give up?

Seriously, should we just give up? It's all over?

To hell with that. I'm going down swinging.

Depression can be treated successfully.

[ripple]

12. Didn't Speaker Pelosi say impeachment was off the table AFTER Nov. 7th? n/t

[Mira]

20. Nope - before n/t

[ripple]

35. Thank you

I must have been thinking of the comment she made about not pursuing impeachment if the dems were to win the election. It's nice to know she hasn't made any similar post-election pronouncements.

[radfringe]

43. we need to tell her to

[goclark]

52. Please send Nancy the graphic, and I hope

that she will be forced to put it front and center because the American people will demand it.

I want to dream that the Shooter will have realized that he needs to stay at home with his new grand baby. He will resign right before the Scooter trial. :)

I want to hope that the Decider will decide to dump Laura,put Condi on his arm and they both resign to live in South America. :)

[tblue37]

13. I hope. I wish. I dream. (eom)

[Rex]

14. Well if we don't fix BBV, Chuck will be our next POTUS.

Bank on it.

[truedelphi]

15. Unfortunately You are so right! n/t

[stevedeshazer]

28. Last November, it didn't help them enough - they still lost big time.

Even election fraud didn't save them.

I'm not saying it isn't an issue still, but to say that electronic voting fraud will stop this tidal wave of public opinion against the status quo seems a bit naïve.

[Rex]

30. True, that was quite amazing.

We shall see if it holds true for 2008.

[Stevepol]

38. The fraud wasn't big enough because ...

they had to decide on the percentage of tilt to program into the machine about a month before the elections and the really big shift in public opinion didn't happen until closer to the election.

The tilt was still greater than it was in 04 when Kerry won the election. In that case the flip was about 5%. In 06 it was about 7-9% or so according to some of the statisticians who have compared the exit polls with the results.

See: www.electiondefensealliance.org

[tbyg52]

31. Thanks for mentioning it

Never forget his history with the voting machine company.

[Rex]

55. I didn't bother me until I found out he was a sitting senator.

He had to defend his right to use his OWN voting machines in his election! That case got 'fixed' and disappeared. After that, I decided he was the new suit getting groomed for the spot in 2008.

[Flabbergasted]

17. I think "Executive Privilege" will save dear Bush!

[SharonRB]

19. I don't think it's out of the question

My dream scenario months ago, even before the election, paralleled just what you've said. As long ago as last spring, I'd been saying this:
We take over the House, Pelosi becomes speaker, * and Darth are forced into resigning OR they are impeached (this was before it was off the table) and she becomes president. I would have no problem with this scenario. I wonder who she'd pick as her VP. Assuming she would do a good job in whatever time is remaining of this term, she'd be the candidate in '08. Hopefully her fate wouldn't be the same as Ford's was in '76. Of course, I doubt she'd pardon *.

All this guessing who the candidate is going to be could be a totally moot point by the time '08 rolls around. All the talk about Hillary, Obama, Clark, Kerry, Edwards, and even Gore, may not mean a thing. I'm of the opinion, based on history, that we probably have no idea right now who the eventual nominee will be. An awful lot can change between now and then. Remember, Clinton came out of nowhere in '92.

[stevedeshazer]

34. Agreed. Two years is a long time. I'm looking two months ahead right now.

I really believe that in two months the political landscape will be nearly unrecognizable compared to 2006.

[ooglymoogly]

21. this mental masterbation is fun

but considering that * holds a sword of damocles over our heads along with a bucket of cold water in the form of marshal law which he has been fine tuning for the last 6 years + pardon powers...the only thing that imho will stay this malevolent shit from exercising these powers is articles of impeachment the moment congress convenes.

[stevedeshazer]

25. The American public will never stand for martial law.

You must be joking.

[ooglymoogly]

37. wish to god i was

http://www.wealth4freedom.com/FEMA.html

[spooky3]

22. I think it's feasible if she does a good job

and I think she will. Unfortunately, for many Americans, she'll have to do a GREAT job in order to be considered at all.

[stevedeshazer]

32. As a woman, she'll be held to a far higher standard than if she were equipped with a penis.

I hate to say it, but it's true.

My wife is far more intelligent and effective than I am, but whenever we meet someone together, the deference goes to me.

I'm a man who thinks the world would be much better off if women were the leaders of nations. Of this, I'm quite sure.

[Stinky The Clown]

26. You just painted a clear picture of my fondest dream ......

President Pelosi ...... I love it.

"Madam President ........ "

Ahhhhhh yes .........

[stevedeshazer]

33. Works for me, buddy.

I think it very well could happen. And, it would be a good thing.

[DarkTirade]

27. I don't know that much about her actually...

but it doesn't take much to assume she'd be a better choice than Hillary...

[tbyg52]

29. A wonderful thought--one can hope! nt

[SalviaBlue]

36. All hail Madame President

I'm ready. Its time.

[DrBlix]

39. Could Happen but what's this all about?

And, perhaps most importantly, the Pretender, now in hiding and, unsurprisingly, is huddling with the PNAC boys and planning war on Iran in order to serve their Saudi masters.
.
<[It isn't the Saudis that are pushing for war with Iran it's the Israelis.>]

[DrBlix]

40. It could happen but what's this all about?

Repost:
And, perhaps most importantly, the Pretender, now in hiding and, unsurprisingly, is huddling with the PNAC boys and planning war on Iran in order to serve their Saudi masters.
,
It isn't the Saudis that are pushing for war with Iran, it's the Israelis.

[uberllama42]

41. Pelosi cannot become president

Unless we somehow impeach Bush and Cheney concurrently. An impeachment would play out like this:

If we start with Bush, Cheney moves into the Oval Office, and appoints a new VP. Then we impeach him and his VP gets the seat until January 2009 and appoints yet another VP.

If we start with Cheney, Bush installs another VP, who then becomes president when Bush is convicted and removed from office. There is no mechanism for the Speaker to become President unless both the President and Vice President are both removed from office through a single legal action.

[leveymg]

45. Wrong.

Cheney's gone - he's going to resign or face impeachment (or jail) after his testimony in the Libby trial. The House and Senate have to both confirm any replacement. That process will bog down.

Bush won't finish his term. Health reasons or an accident, just like the Politburo.

How appropriate.

America gets its first woman President. But, it won't be Hillary.

[uberllama42]

51. That's a really long shot

I can't see either one of them going peacefully. If things get really bad for Cheney and he resigns, I seriously doubt Bush would step down without a successor in place. This scenario is contingent on a pair of highly unlikely decisions.

Even if the above did happen, I can't see how it would be better for the country than a pair of fair, thorough and rational impeachment trials. Those two men are war criminals and deserve to be brought to justice through a process that shows the strength of our constitutional government. An unprecedented cross-party succession like the one we're all so excited over kind of resembles a coup d'etat. Believe me, I want these people gone as badly as anyone else, and I think things are bad enough to justify something like that if we have no other options, but I have a moderate amount of confidence that this new Congress can stanch our national bleeding without anything so drastic. I still think the most likely scenario with either resignations or impeachments puts a Bush-appointed successor in place for the balance of this, the saddest presidential term in national history.

[Gormy Cuss]

49. I agree -- it's unlikely to happen this way.

Let's review how Ford became president.
Agnew resigned in October 1973. Nixon nominated Ford less than a week later. Soon after the Saturday Night Massacre occurred and it was apparent to many in Congress that Nixon could be removed from office or leave voluntarily himself. Because of this possibility the Congress went to great lengths to look for a reason to reject confirmation but the final votes were overwhelmingly in support of Ford -- 92‑3 (Senate) and 387‑35 (House.) Ford took the oath of office in early December 1973. It was more than eight months later that Nixon resigned. Had Nixon stayed in office and waited for Congressional action to impeach him it may have taken much longer.

As bad as this current pack of thieves is, I can't believe that Congress would act any differently this time. They won't block the nomination of a veep solely on a political basis. Bush wouldn't nominate an easy target. This is why speculation of Rice has some credibility, but I think it would more likely that the nominee would be someone like McCain -- a senior member of Congress. Only a concurrent removal of Bush and Cheney would open the door for succession by the Speaker.

[uberllama42]

53. True,

though I'm not sure if the Constitution allows for a concurrent impeachment. Maybe if Bush asks Cheney to hold his hand again during his testimony before the Senate, they can impeach them both at the same time.

I agree that resignations are more likely than impeachments, because Pelosi has said that impeachment is off the table. I stand by my statement that neither man will go down easily, though. Neither one of those criminals has ever shown any concern for what would be the gracious thing to do, or what is best for the country.

[CTyankee]

56. I just recently read that Carl Albert, Dem. Speaker of the House, went

to Nixon with an ultimatum about naming Ford as his VP. That happened in a situation like the one we will have: a Repub President and a Congress controlled by the Dems.

So it seems that Albert called the shots but still allowed Nixon a Republican.

[Gormy Cuss]

57. That is interesting.

I could see it replaying in a similar way if Cheney needs a replacement, but I'm not sure W would listen to any ultimatum from Pelosi.

[CTyankee]

58. My info is from a NY Times article on Ford's presidency recently

I don't know if we have such a strong majority in the Congress as the Dems had back in the 70s. That might have had a LOT to do with Carl Albert dictating conditions to Nixon!

As we are seeing, even Tricky Dick wasn't as arrogant as this bunch. If they are going to go down in their bunker, we just may need a bunkerbuster of an issue to dislodge them. We'll probably get it, that is my guess, when some of these Congressional oversight investigations get underway.

Bring it on!

[leveymg]

44. That would be a Happy New Year! K&R!

Sure hope you're right! Maybe in time for the 4th?

[InvisibleTouch]

46. A delightful senario! We can only hope. n/t

[Annces]

47. Ya - that is inspiring

Pelosi does not suffer fools.

[Jeanette in FL]

50. And her first words, after taking the oath of office are:

"To quote a former President,"My fellow Americans, our long national nightmare is over."

[Pierzin]

54. that would just be too awesome for words to describe!!!!!!

Yes! Do it already and make it happen! Those sonsof dogs deserve what they've got coming to them!

[DemReadingDU]

59. It's going to be an interesting year!

I'm so looking forward to the Dems taking office and watching the investigations on C-span!

[Bobbie Jo]

60. President Pelosi....I love it!...n/t