Impeachment...

[luvspeas]

the drumbeat has started folks...

Obama could be impeached if he uses the 14th amendment
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/25/us/politics/25legal.html

Obama could be impeached if we go into default
http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0711/59836.html

believe me, this is what this is all about.

[Drale]

1. That makes no sense

You can not impeach a president for using the constitution.

[luvspeas]

2. NYTimes article...

Another possible reaction to unilateral action from Mr. Obama is impeachment. Professor Tribe said that was “not politically a very plausible scenario.”

I do not believe that last part of this statement.

[onenote]

4. I do believe the last part of the statement.

Bet we never find out who is right.

[3waygeek]

16. Sure you can...

if you have the votes. With the Rethug majority in the House, they could easily force a Senate trial.

[Voltaire]

23. Makes no sense!

What party are we talking about here eh? It will make perfect sense to those evil fucking nuts.

[Freddie Stubbs]

24. The House can impeach for pretty much whatever it wants

There are, however, political consequences for doing so. And it would seem that leaders in both parties in Congress have learned that.

[JoePhilly]

3. The Constitution requires the Congress to pay the bills ... if they won't, impeach THEM!!

That would be fun.

[onenote]

6. Even assuming members of Congress can be impeached

How, exactly, do you expect to get a majority of Congress to impeach a majority of Congress?

[JoePhilly]

15. Its called an election.

And during the next election cycle you encourage the people of some states to "impeach" some of their state representatives. And frame your ads around that.

Although you raise a good point ... the people of a State should be able to remove their State Senators at any time, basically impeach them.

[FreakinDJ]

5. I don't agree - Neither do Law Professors

but this segment is very revealing

The words of the provision are in important ways quite vague. “Nobody would argue,” said Sanford Levinson, a law professor at the University of Texas, “that Section 4 is clear in its meaning, other than at the time everyone thought that the South, if they ever got back in control, would not pay Civil War debt.”

Congress has already allocated the funds and now doesn't want to pay them

[Raine1967]

18. +1

The bills HAVE to get paid. I, as of yet, don't see how using the constitution could be an impeachable offense.

WE have to pay for funds that have already been allocated. Unlike the very poorest among us, our government has that ability. That's is what is just killing me here. A 99'r can't, the federal government can.

It appears as tho the GOP is willing to turn Government into 99'rs. I suspect that even THIS supreme court would back the POTUS if he invoked the 14th.

[elfin]

7. "We" still have the Senate

so kiss impeachment goodbye.

Nevertheless, a great opportunity for Rethugs to posture and TRY to look like they know the Constitution, while the country and their re-elections go down the drain.

[polmaven]

26. There is a difference

between impeachment and removal from office. Impeachment is basically indictment, and is done solely by the House. After that is accomplished, the "case" goes to the Senate for trial. I agree the Senate will not "convict" and remove the president from office, but I have no doubt the House of Representatives could easily impeach.

[Tx4obama]

8. 'to impeach' means to bring forth 'criminal charges'

In order 'to impeach' a 'criminal charge' would have to be filed.

If a president 'invokes' the U.S. Constitution it is NOT a criminal act.

I wish that all the folks that keep talking about impeachment would state what CRIMINAL ACT they are referring to.


p.s. Also, IF President Obama were to invoke the 14th amendment, NO ONE would have 'standing' to bring a case in front of the SCOTUS.


Let's stick to the FACTS and stay away from bogus situations that are not going to happen.

[verges]

11. I'm just curious....

what rebellion or insurrection are we talking about here. The Constitution is pretty specific about those specific debts. How does the 14th really apply?

[SoFlaJet]

13. Just keep on denying

what many progressives believe to be true-because you're right and we're all wrong. You continue to assume that this version of the republican house members even care about rule of law or facts as they stand-they make them up or just deny them whenever they want. They are trying to force Obama's hand so they can at least TRY and impeach him to get it in the news for the next however many weeks.

[elfin]

14. You are right -- I should have written

"impeachment conviction".

Where was my history major on that post?

The House will still have plenty for empty stupid blather and a no-go impeachment charge, while the Senate will refuse to convict.

[bpj62]

9. High Crimes and Misdemeanors

Obama can certainly invoke the 14th amendment and instruct the Secretary of the Treasury to pay the bills. At the point the onus is on the Repubs to then file a law suit challenging the legality of the executive order. However by then the bills will already have been paid so what can they really do. I do not believe that an executive order rises to the level of impeachment and I don't think that the house has the stomach for it, particularly in an election year.

[onenote]

10. a more accurate representation of the sources linked in your post:

Law professors disagree as to whether its likely that Obama would be impeached if he uses the 14th Amendment.

And

Damned if he does and damned if he doesn't: While one Republican talks of impeaching Obama if the country defaults, another talks of impeaching the president if he stops the default.

[rocktivity]

12. Impeachment? for saving the economy?

Let them try. These stories sound more like a threat.

:headbang:
rocktivity

[and-justice-for-all]

20. It's absurd...nt

[BklnDem75]

17. Wasn't this threatened with Libya?

I'm pretty positive the threat of impeachment is one thing Obama doesn't fear.

[Freddie Stubbs]

25. Yes, but not by anyone with the power to carry it out

[and-justice-for-all]

19. He has to break a law of some sort...

and if anyone knows whats up, its Obama; he is not stupid and not to mention Michelle, who knows a thing or two about constitutional law.

[tallahasseedem]

21. You're still here?

Nice try.

[luvspeas]

22. thank you for expressing the attitude of the thuggish idiots that have taken over DU

I am still here because every now and then I log in in hopes that there are still a few intelligent people here willing to have a conversation, not a bunch of reactionary idiots who must be right at all costs, including the cost of allowing fascists to take over the country in order for you to act out your childish notions of liberalism and no compromise.

Go ahead and start another thread about how disappointed you are in Obama not being the magic negro you envisioned because he won't clean up your dog poop. Just don't be too upset when you are made to goosestep into the republican work camp you helped create.

[flamingdem]

27. It's the ONLY WAY for the facists to get rid of Obama and put one of their own in charge nt