Howard, just say it - IMPEACHMENT

[LSK]

Just watched Dean on Face the Nation and they were trying to get him to say impeach Cheney if what Libby said is true. Why cant you just say the I-word Howard?

I-M-P-E-A-C-H-M-E-N-T

[HereSince1628]

1. Because Dean is a lightening rod. And the R's will call it "another"

arrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh! from him. And the Media will replay it that way, and replay it and replay it.

It similar with Hillary.

The celebrity dems don't want to provide rwing opportunities to create tv momements the rwingnuts will exploit.

[LSK]

3. OR it will bring the debate to the topic of what Cheney did

[nevergiveup]

7. Dean knows that at this point it would serve no purpose

First we have to win back congress and then the "I" word will abound.

[radio4progressives]

13. Nope, Wrong. Not only CAN the I word be said now, it SHOULD be said now

jeezus ..

apart from the fact that there is a legal and moral imperative to do so now, throwing the impeachment egg into a 2006 mid term election victory basket is INSANE.

We have lost the past three election cycles - all due to ELECTION ENGINEERING and FRAUD. NOTHING has been done about fixing the problem, indeed the Dems have been absolutely SILENT on THAT issue as well, so what in the hell makes you think that we have to wait until a mid term victory before we can raise the "I" word?

This thinking is the height of insanity, people.

It is way past time to wake the fuck up and take action NOW.

[stepnw1f]

2. IMPEACHMENT

it's that easy. And when he says it, he should state why so many are afraid to say the same thing.

[Kierkegaard]

4. That's one of the things I blasted the DCCC about

when I took their survey yesterday. If they aren't avoiding making a statement altogether, they are softening the impact of their statements by dancing around key words.

Why is it so difficult to speak directly? If someone lies, call them a liar! If someone cheats, call them a cheater! People understand the gravity of a situation when you describe it properly. When you describe someone who is a liar (*, for instance) and insinuate that he is so, it softens the impact of that statement. So, don't use phrases like 'less than truthful', 'disingenuous' or 'misleading.' 'Liar' lets people know exactly, in no uncertain terms, what you mean.

C'mon Dems, blast these lying assholes!

[Toots]

5. He should say when asked "Nothing is off the table"

Just shove it back in their faces...

[babylonsister]

6. Schieffer did; the word got out and is on the minds of many.

Baby steps but progress!

[Connie_Corleone]

8. Impeachment or resignation.

I don't understand why he couldn't say if true, then Cheney should resign or face impeachment.

I don't buy the argument that Dean is not saying it because of what Republicans might do with it. He's already said Cheney needs to go if it's true he authorized leaking of information. That statement right there will have the RNC coming at him. So why the hesitation on resignation or impeachment?

[janx]

14. He said that if these allegations are true, then the vice

president cannot remain in office. He was emphatic about it, and he was right.

[Kensingtonian]

9. Technically, the VP is part of the legislative branch

He presides over the Senate. He should be indicted, not impeached.

[Seabiscuit]

18. It's still not clear whether a VP may be indicted.

The only test case I'm aware of which actually fell short of being a test case was the case of VP Spiro Agnew.

The House Judiciary Committee had already begun Impeachment proceedings against Nixon when it was discovered that Spiro Agnew had committed criminal offenses, taking bribes from Maryland contractors while in office as VP.

Agnew took the position that a sitting VP cannot be indicted, but rather, must be impeached and removed from office prior to being indicted.

The special prosecutor's office faced a quandry: there was no legal precedent for or against Agnew's position. And they didn't want to see two impeachment proceedings, one against the President, and the other against the VP, going on at the same time. So rather than indict Agnew they cut a deal with him. They allowed him to resign and go straight to Court where he pled nolo contendere to one count and served no jail time.

Beyond that, the mere fact that one of the VP's duties is to preside over the Senate does not transform the VP into an employee of the legislative branch of government - he's still an officer of the executive branch while sitting in that capacity.

[madfloridian]

10. Howard says the VP should probably resign.

I think that is pretty clear.

[Marleyb]

11. Either they are being blackmailed or they are in on it

...nothing else makes sense in the face of obvious impeachable offenses by both Bush and Cheney. There is just no denying it. :wtf:

Just say it dammit or we are going to hold you accountable for this going on. People are dying everyday! I will now hold the democrats responsible because this is stupid beyond belief.

[librechik]

12. Because impeachment is a SACRED "RITE" OF CONGRESS

and even tho they have abused the privilege in the past, it is congress who must say it first.

Dean is a gentlemen who respects the law and Congress. He'll back up leaqdership if the say it, I'm sure, but he can't hop on the Conyers train just yet; his role is to keep peace in the party, not divide it.

[flyarm]

15. i hate to admit it ..as i believe * should have been impeached long ago

but you are correct...impeachment is the responsibility of congress and Dean does not have the right nor should he, to breach the subject head on until congress does so..

but its about time the dang congress lives up to its responsibility to the American people!

I would love to hear it come from Dr.Deans mouth..but it would be wrong..

Dr. Dean Represents a party..not the people of the United States..

it would be very wrong for a party leader ..unelected by the people to suggest impeachment.

fly

[Zen Democrat]

16. Impeach and Indict -- we can and should do both!

The United States Constitution:

Clause 7: Judgment in Cases of Impeachment shall not extend further than to removal from Office, and disqualification to hold and enjoy any Office of honor, Trust or Profit under the United States: but the Party, (defendant), convicted shall nevertheless be liable and subject to Indictment, Trial, Judgment and Punishment, according to Law.

[FreedomAngel82]

17. Maybe he needs encouragement from us?

Maybe we should all fax, email, call etc. the DNC and tell them for Dean to say IMPEACHMENT. Maybe he'd feel more comfortable? :shrug:

[janx]

19. It's up to Congress, not Dean.

But Dean is helping by creating a 50-state strategy that will prove very useful in November.

[Marleyb]

20. Congress says it's up to Bush, not US

They are willing participants in tyranny, you really want to wait for them?

Polls show a clear majority want impeachment- Can't Dean at least mention that? Can't he stand up for Americans everywhere?

Dean has every right, and in my opinion an obligation, to speak his mind on the subject. He is not controlled by congress. The way to win in November is for the democrats to speak their minds and do the right thing for a change. Dean speaking up might allow others to do the same.

[mdmc]

21. chow-daire!

say it!