Detroit Free Press: 'Committee hearing will discuss presidential limits'

[Breeze54]

Committee hearing will discuss presidential limits

http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080725/NEWS07/80725027/1009/NEWS07

By TODD SPANGLER • FREE PRESS WASHINGTON STAFF • July 25, 2008

WASHINGTON --

The House Judiciary Committee is opening a hearing on the constitutional limits of the presidency, where several speakers -- including former presidential candidate Dennis Kucinich --

One question though is whether that word will even be mentioned outright. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has said impeachment is off the table, even if some Democrats argue President Bush's record violates the limits of his authority.

Kucinich has introduced an impeachment resolution but an advance copy of his testimony didn't even mention the word, saying he only hoped the committee would act.

"The rules of the House prevent me or any witness from utilizing familiar terms. But we can put two and two together in our minds," Kucinich, a Democratic congressman from Ohio, said in his advance remarks.

Kucinich has said Bush lied to the nation in the walkup to the Iraq War and was to repeat those accusations today.

The hearing today -- billed as an examination of what, if anything, should be done about perceived violations of law by the Bush administration puts the committee's chairman, Detroit Democrat John Conyers, in a difficult spot. Once a favorite of the pro-impeachment crowd, he has avoided showing any support for such a move since Democratic leaders in the House said no such hearings would be held.

Even the title of today's hearing has been a source of discussion. Originally called an examination of Bush's "imperial presidency," today's agenda simply referred to it as "executive power and its constitutional limitations."

Rep. Lamar Smith of Texas, the ranking Republican on the committee, had another phrase for it, saying "it seems that we are hosting an anger management class."

"Nothing is going to come out of this hearing with regard to impeachment of the president," Smith said. "I know it, the media knows it, even the speaker knows it."

Conyers said it was still the Congress' duty to "find a way to protect" citizens's rights.

"It is no secret that I have grave concerns about excesses in the exercise of executive branch authority by the present administration," said Conyers.

[Breeze54]

1. "it seems that we are hosting an anger management class." instead of an impeachment hearing...

- Rep. Lamar Smith of Texas

I'd agree there, Lamar!

[hack89]

2. The most perceptive comment to come out of the hearings so far. nt

[Breeze54]

3. Oh, there were plenty more and the rethugs had their panties in a twist - they need the class!

:P

The Dems sounded intelligent (because they are)

the Rethugs sounded CRAZY !!! :silly:

[pleah]

4. K&R

:)