I think the dems are miscalculating badly.

[mmonk]

Not only the implications of what taking impeachment off the table really is and the endangerment of our system, but it could really backfire in 08. Sure, a lot of people don't have a clue about the constitution and what has gone on, but a lot of people do.

[autorank]

1. The public is ahead of us on impeachment. Finally the House acted

on the troop withdrawal. They need to pass one of these every month until 2008.

On impeachment, here's a related fact, less than 50% of registered voters, in a Zogby Poll form August
2006, felt that the 2004 election was fair and square. LESS THAN 50%.
http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0609/S00346.htm

That's huge. Think of any pre 2000 election where "less than 95% thought it was fair and square."

The people are there, it's time, let's do it!

[Poiuyt]

2. Historically, bringing up impeachment charges usually helps the impeaching party

In other words, the Dems would probably pick up seats in Congress and pick up the presidency.

[Jackpine Radical]

5. It won't be easy for them to totally blow 2008.

Nevertheless, they seem to have accepted the challenge.

[Poiuyt]

6. Ouch!

Sadly, you're right (as usual)

[Jackpine Radical]

3. I think you're right.

This kind of paralysis pisses off and discourages the committed left wing of the party, which is to say, the informed and involved base, so they start panning the politicians in the polls, and withdrawing their active involvement ("OK, I'll vote for her, but I'll be damned if I send money or do any volunteer work"), which makes the pols frantic so that they then start clawing their way to the middle under the mistaken assumption that they're being perceived as "too liberal," which further alienates their base, which drives the pols further rightward in desperation.

[kurth]

4. People voted for CHANGE in 2006

And nothing has changed.

[Mr_Jefferson_24]

7. Moyer's Journal on impeachment tonight...

...was great and stressed that to not impeach will set a precedent of unchallenged dictatorial like powers for the next president. Imagine what Rudy would do with that. Pretty scary -- Dem leadership had better do something on impeachment soon.

[leftofthedial]

8. they screwed the pooch back in Iran Contra

and are repeating their mistakes now

RIP America

[mmonk]

9. In an article from my newspaper this morning by the AP

states approval numbers of congress by DEMOCRATIC VOTERS as "Approval among Democrats fell 21 points, from 48 percent in May to 27 percent." That's a pretty damn rapid decline.