Kucinich pushes impeachment measure

Posted: Tuesday, November 06, 2007 3:37 PM by Mark Murray
Filed Under: White House, Congress, Mike Viqueira

From NBC's Mike Viqueira
Something interesting is happening in your US House.

Kucinich wants to impeach the vice president. We knew that. But today, using special procedures of the House, he put forward his resolution of impeachment.

Before Kucinich could get a debate and a vote, Democratic Majority Leader Steny Hoyer stood up and moved to "table" -- i.e., kill -- the resolution. He knew that Republicans would just as soon see the resolution debated and have Democrats put on the spot to vote for or against the Kucinich measure.

At first, a whole bunch of Republicans voted with Hoyer to kill the resolution. Then they came to their senses and are in the process of switching their votes before the gavel comes down.

*** Update *** Now we are being treated to the spectacle of Democrats who had voted to table/kill the measure changing THEIR votes. They don't want to be in a postion of defending Dick Cheney if they don't have to.

*** Update II *** The House has just voted to refer the Kucinich impeachment resolution to committee. That means it's dead.

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Comments

Go for it, Congress!!!! Cheney (& Co.) have committed numerous impeachable offenses... and the American people need to know the details before the 2008 elections...so they don't elect the out-of-control spending Republicans! This corrupt Administration has spent (or has stolen) more taxpayer money, without ANY accountability, in the history of the USA! The billions & billions of US tax dollars either "lost" or spent on "no-bid" contractors is CRIMINAL! The money is in private offshore bank accounts!!! Let the right-wing Republicans (i.e. hypocrites try to defend that!!!

John, Miami, Florida (Sent Tuesday, November 06, 2007 5:16 PM)

once again all show and no go.

K., Austin (Sent Tuesday, November 06, 2007 5:16 PM)

Any which way but loose...

I pity the Dems. They don't want to disappoint those on the far left who want Bush's and Cheney's heads, but at the same time the don't want to throw their lots in with Dennis the Menace.

If only a spaceship would abduct the whole Congress we could start afresh...

John Doe, Seattle, Wash. (Sent Tuesday, November 06, 2007 5:19 PM)

The best hope for the country is to impeach the criminals occupying the White House before they launch another war against Iran, impose martial law, stage another 'terrorist attack" on the US, obliterate the Constitution. We need to reverse the horrendous legislation forced down our throats based on the official version of 9/11. We know that the Commission Report was a cover-up and a con job for pre-emptive wars, and the building of a global police state. We know that Cheney should be asked to testify about his role on that day, since he was in charge of the multiple wargames being conducted. And he should be asked about the orders given "before the plane crashed into the Pentagon."

Kucinich deserves the support of every Congressman who cares about this country, truth, justice, and isn't just a shill working for corporate interests and the military/industrial/medi complex.

Carol Brouillet (Sent Tuesday, November 06, 2007 5:22 PM)

Kucinich ROCKS! He's a real Democrat.

Stenysaurus Hoyer's sister is on the AIPAC board. He's a DINO.

Tom3, Denver CO (Sent Tuesday, November 06, 2007 5:28 PM)

Tony Roberts Chicago, Illinois You impeach every DeMyopicRat that claimed the same thing first and then we'll talk about Cheney. Start with the ones that claimed Saddam had WMDs before Bush even came to Washington

I was once six one 195 and ran like the wind. I now get short of breath running to the bus. My point is, who cares what the Dems or anyone said in 1999 about a 2003 invasion. It's what "the decider" knew at the time of the invasions when he said there was an "airtight" link between Al Queda and Iraq and WND's and even nuclear arms in Iraq. Nice try on the Red Herring. He is the one whose state of mind is important, not someone who was not privy to all of the intelligence and not someone who did not order the invasion....Is my "Mission Accomplished" yet? Are my major combat operations over?

Tony Roberts Chicago, Illinois (Sent Tuesday, November 06, 2007 5:30 PM)

Clinton was impeached for 1 article of impeachment The GOP spent 40 million to get him impeached, Google bush-cheney impeachment articles and you will find up to 28 impeachable offenses, Yet the GOP insists the DEMS are wasting taxpayers money?
Read the facts Bush Cheney and Company should be arrested and tried for the multitude of criminal acts against the very country they claim to serve.
IMPEACH BUSH AND HIS CRONIES

Take our country back (Sent Tuesday, November 06, 2007 5:31 PM)

Kucinich just cemented my vote and support. I'm sending him a donation right now.

Alexander, Phoenix, AZ (Sent Tuesday, November 06, 2007 5:32 PM)

Kucinich is like the Chinese kid standing up against the tank in Tiananmen Square --- but this tank of repression is driven by both the phony two-party Republicans and Democrats committed to maintaining the global corporate Empire behind this facade of 'Vichy America'.

The question now will be whether the media powers in that 'Vichy America' also continue to oppress and repress the growing outrage of average American people to see their government restored to the real democracy against Empire that our founding fathers envisioned and died for --- or whether the media will also rebel against this stacked-deck of Empire and report the real truth to the American people.

Alan MacDonald, Sanford, Maine (Sent Tuesday, November 06, 2007 5:37 PM)

house resolution 333 clearly spells out the undisputable impeachable offenses. Dennis offered this Res. last spring. Of all the moronic posts on here, the funniest/saddest was the one about "if its true, the media woulda told us". 30 brave Representatives have signed on. It has been 3-5 per month. Deadeye dick is guilty of treason, period. Read 333. And thats only the tip of the ice berg. When the investigations kick in, and subpeonas start flying fast n furious, the rats will abandon ship, squeal like pigs to save their own sorry butts and we the people will be treated to some quality "Reality TV". Treason during wartime is a CAPITAL offense. The scumbag will not seem so untouchable when he is swinging from a rope.

freddie fender (Sent Tuesday, November 06, 2007 5:44 PM)

Is this an effort to improve current congressional approval ratings? He should stick w/the UFO's.

American Voter (Sent Tuesday, November 06, 2007 5:44 PM)

Why would sending it to committee kill it? Conyers wants impeachment!

djlenaDOTcom, Seaside, OR (Sent Tuesday, November 06, 2007 5:45 PM)

ok impeachment is only for BJ's under the desk? Nothing as trivial as starting a war to give a multinational corporation the rest of the world's oil on a silver platter (the very definition of Fascism)!! Some of these responses by so called defenders of American Democracy are idiotic. Ask any foreigner visiting in America what he thinks: they feel sorry for us, we pay so much taxes and get zip for it, not even infrastructure maintenance!

gerald Sobel (Sent Tuesday, November 06, 2007 5:47 PM)

I can't believe there are people in these comments that cannot understand that Cheney is criminally insane. Sure, some democrats were stupid enough to believe in WMD's in Iraq, but lets not forget that it was Bush/Cheney that DID know better and acted otherwise. Also, giving up the name of Plame, the undisclosed energy meetings, no-bid Halliburton contracts, Claiming he's no longer part of the Executive branch to avoid releasing documents, and that's only the part that is public knowledge. Cheney should be impeached and then criminal prosecution, along with Bush, and his entire crew.

Please GOP backers, write a rebuttal. I need a good laugh.

Ryan, SF, CA (Sent Tuesday, November 06, 2007 6:05 PM)

chit

lloyd brock (Sent Tuesday, November 06, 2007 6:07 PM)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Ajax

OPERATION AJAX >

Look it up ! BP (British Petroleum)is on record for approached U.S. Presidents to overthrow Iran to secure its rights to the oil fields it found there. The U.S. did it!

Verified by the NSA, reported profoundly on by NYTimes.

The idea of going to war for profit is not a novel one. Operation Ajax. History repeats itself.

Joel Silver, Washington, DC (Sent Tuesday, November 06, 2007 6:09 PM)

Anyone who wants to reverse the Bush/Cheney assault on the constitution and try to get us out of these endless wars for oil profits and to try to reverse the gutting of the already inadequate laws protecting the environment needs to begin by charging the men responsible with the crimes they have committed. We have to blame them for their crimes... these were not mistakes. They are crimes againt the us people and people all over the world. How can we reject these policies if we don;t even recognize them as what they are: as crimes. Bravo Dennis. He's th only one who has the guts to stand up and keep telling the truth.

Karen Corsano (Sent Tuesday, November 06, 2007 6:14 PM)

Jerry,
That bridge you speak of, the Republican governer of Minn. denied funds to repair it so who's fault is that you pos!

jerrytheidiot (Sent Tuesday, November 06, 2007 6:24 PM)

This is the result of the voters "mandate"?

To waste taxpayer money while accomplishing nothing?

Democrats - your days are numbered.

John Doe, Seattle, Wash. (Sent Tuesday, November 06, 2007 6:25 PM)

so sad to see that there are so many truly insane people in this country.

IMHO willful ignorance and choosing to believe propaganda supporting policies guaranteeing your own loss of freedom = insane

"What a joke. If there was any proof of wrong doing it would have come out long ago."

umm, it has, over and over. and plenty of it easily available.

"Liberals would rather see people die on collapsing bridges then(sic) debate the real issues."

this one is just sheer, utter and total nonsense. can't find even a smidgen of logic to it.

not too mention that impeachment is a very real issue and should be considered the most important issue of our time, given the interminable list of crimes committed by this administration and the looming real possibility of a fascist state as the final outcome.

USA RIP (Sent Tuesday, November 06, 2007 6:28 PM)

This blog proves that there is no intelligent life with the DEMs or anyone who supports them. It amaze me that you have people defending some moron who sees UFO's, does anything to get in the press. He is like ALL of the DEM candidates save perhaps Obama, just another professional politician who will do and say anything to get elected. Give me a break. Some of you need to read Constitutional Law before you open those holes in your faces to spout the idiocy that gives MANY THINKING Americans a headache. If you think its bad now, wait until whoemever is the DEM choice goes toe to toe with the Republican candidate. Then you will have REAL comedy, and it WON'T be on the Ass side of the podium. The only think they got right is their party logo!

Rogers Marion (Sent Tuesday, November 06, 2007 6:28 PM)

GO DENNIS, IMPEACH THEM,THOSE CROOKS HAVE BEEN FLEECING AMERICA, THEY HAVE THIER STICKY FINKERS IN EVERYTHING! THE ONLY TIME WHEN THEY DONT FLEECE IS WHEN THEIR TOO BUSY FIXING ELECTIONS. GO DENNIS! YOU GOT BRASS TESTICLE.

BATMAN (Sent Tuesday, November 06, 2007 6:32 PM)

Most Democrats talk pretty, but when it comes down to integrity and standing up for what the majority of their supporters believe they run and hide. Good for Dennis...he may not make president but at least he's not hiding!

Taylor Lewis (Sent Tuesday, November 06, 2007 6:36 PM)

At least someone is calling the Bush administration out. They should have been impeached a long long time ago. Hope that people start to realize the administration has done nothing but tear apart our constitution and everything this country stands for. the free.

Christie Chandler az (Sent Tuesday, November 06, 2007 6:38 PM)

How funny to watch the little democrats scurry. Run, run. Your bluff was called. Change your votes or you'll look the fool. haha

That was fun.

Beej, Atlanta, GA (Sent Tuesday, November 06, 2007 6:38 PM)

Articles of Impeachment facts wanted?
(1) Intelligence "fixed" around the policy of invading Iraq -- Cheney & Company
(2) Covert CIA operative outed by Cheney's machine (Valerie Plame; cf. Scooter Libby's testimony)
(3) Approval of torture policy
(4) Domestic spying and defying of FISA
(5) Geneva Conventions "are quaint" policy
(6) Habeus Corpus nowhere to be found on Gitmo
(7) Blackwater and privitization of Army role
(8) No bid contracts to Halliburton, etc.

L.Silberstein (Sent Tuesday, November 06, 2007 6:39 PM)

To all those naysayers who are citing a lack of evidence required to impeach Cheney, you don't learn from your history very well, do you? In the case of both Nixon AND Clinton, the most damning evidence came out after the impeachment proceedings had already begun. It's amazing how even the most faithful of subserviants will squeel like little piggies to save their own necks (i.e. reputation, honor, job, avoiding jail time).

I say, let the proceedings begin, and then let ALL of America hear ALL of the true facts, and then we shall judge. It is certainly no bigger waste of time than was spent trying to impeach Clinton over a B.J. in the Oval Office!

Geekmoid, CO (Sent Tuesday, November 06, 2007 6:50 PM)

Dennis should move to Syria and try to impeach his buddy, the little dictator Assad. What do you think how long would he last over there in REAL DEMOCRACY, you moronic liberals complaining about republicans.

Dano, Monrovia,Ca (Sent Tuesday, November 06, 2007 6:51 PM)

No one is above the law or the constitution. Public servants, especially those in high offices need to remember that. Elected representatives need to refer to their job descriptions and represent the needs of their constituents NOW, not play games or make power plays for next year. Thank you, Dennis Kucinich for having the courage to do what is right, rather than what is popular.

Where'smy Freedom, Santa Ana, CA (Sent Tuesday, November 06, 2007 7:05 PM)

You know what, he is the only candidate putting the people before his campaign, because most people want impeachment and there is enough proof to do so. I don't understand you people that don't support Kucinich, he is the only one that makes sense from the whole bunch. Of course the republicans didn't vote yay on the tabling, because they don't want to defend Cheney, why?, because they know he is a freaking liar. But of course they move it to committee. What a bunch of cowards. Dennis is the only one with real cojones , can't you guys see that. IDIOTS!

Da Cat (Sent Tuesday, November 06, 2007 7:11 PM)

I was in the gallery when this happened. It was quite a spectacle to see Kucinich make the reading clerk read the entire bill, watch her tire, and see another clerk pick up where she left off. And oh yeah, all that parliamentary hoo-hah as well. That was a long vote!

Ethan, Washington, D.C. (Sent Tuesday, November 06, 2007 7:18 PM)

Carrie Iowa +++ annefrank - What the heck does that have to do with anything?

Figure it out Carrie. Or are you that dense?

Larry, Western Iowa (Sent Tuesday, November 06, 2007 7:20 PM)

Those of you who are blaming this on the GOP: didn't you notice the GOP voted in support of the measure?

Bottom line: it's a topic the Dems are afraid to touch with a ten-foot pole (or a 5'2" Croat).

Bruce, NV (Sent Tuesday, November 06, 2007 7:30 PM)

There should be an amendment to the constitution that allows for a recall vote midway through a presidential term. If 'the people' want to send the idiots packing, then there is no question. If they want to keep them for the full term, again, no questions. Four years is way too long to leave the country in the hands of lunatics of any party.

M.Frank (Sent Tuesday, November 06, 2007 7:58 PM)

When the misinformed GOPers point to the low popularity of Congress they conveniently forget the numbers behind that low popularity. GOP congressmen are over two-to-one as unpopular as the Dems thus dragging the poll numbers down. And most of the dissatifaction toward the Dems in Congress is that they haven't ended the GOPs war for oil. This war was not only never about WMD, it was never about "democracy" or any other deception. It has ALWAYS been about securing oil as even Bush, Cheney, and Wolfowitz stated in 1998 in their manifesto for "The New American Century" that they needed a "Pearl Harbor" to secure Middle East resources.

Synergy, Santa Cruz, California (Sent Tuesday, November 06, 2007 8:00 PM)

The USA has been in Iraq 1689 days and we have lost over 4000 of our brave, young soldiers. Another 25,000 plus have been wounded--20% with horrible disabling injuries. The Bush/Cheney Fascist Criminal Enterprise has increased our National Debt by over 57%. The National Debt is approaching $30,000 for every man, woman and child in this country. Impeach? Hell Yes!

ghost commander (Sent Tuesday, November 06, 2007 8:34 PM)

"DEAD"?

According to Rachel Maddow, who scooped, um, all "mainstream" news organizations on this one, about an hour ago:

Conyers issued a statement to her radio program, in which he both refused to say the HJC would not address the motion... but strongly implied that he probably WOULD.

(I apologize if you interpret this as telling you How To Do Journalism... but maybe if you call Conyers' office, they'll send you a copy, too!)

Barry Champlain (Sent Tuesday, November 06, 2007 8:40 PM)

Everyone that I know is sure that Cheney must be impeached. If this Congress does not step up to the plate and strap on some balls, we, The People, will lose our country into ruination. We see the writing on the Wall, this game is done, we are broke, and these wars are based on lies. There were no WMD. This unConstitutional NeoConLib cartel will face the American people. No man is above the Law.

ThoughtsinSpace Baltimore, Maryland (Sent Tuesday, November 06, 2007 8:54 PM)

Contact the judicial committee members and urge the passage of this bill.

MiniMax (Sent Tuesday, November 06, 2007 9:14 PM)

To all you IDIOTS who cannot see why Kucinich is doing this... you are so stupid it defies belief...you deserve to have a dictator who rips off the tax payers with no bid contracts, while at the same time taking away your civil rights. Yes, you deserve Dick Cheney. What a bunch of idiots.

fred doe (Sent Tuesday, November 06, 2007 9:15 PM)

HOORAY FOR DENNIS KUCINICH!

IMPEACH DASTARDLY DICK & LITTLE P R I C K!

NOW!!!

John Doe, Seattle, Wash (Sent Tuesday, November 06, 2007 9:20 PM)

Impeach both - The Republicans feel a Monica in the White House is worse than what these two have done! COME ON _ WAKE UP - WWIII is right around the corner! W in 04 - what the heck four!

None of these countries have INTERCONTINEANTAL BALISTIC MISSLES! THX W FOR THE FEAR FACTOR!

So - we want to go nuclear - then bomb all countries before they bomb us! How about that! This solves all of our problems!!!!

Come on folks - wake up!

Posted By Mark - Atlanta, GA : November 6, 2007 8:33 pm

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

ALOS - WHERE IS EVERY ONE SAYING 'TAP THE RESERVES!!!" MY GOD _where are the reporters, people, and congressional folks saying tap the reserves! NO ONE HAS SAID ANYTHING AND WE SIT BACK AND $200 for a barrel of oil - sounds good to me! WTF!!!!!!GIVE ME A BREAK! WE ARE DONE AS A COUNTRY! SORRY

Posted By Mark - Atlanta, GA : November 6, 2007 8:43 pm

Mark, Atlanta, GA (Sent Tuesday, November 06, 2007 9:28 PM)

The new Congress is doing nothing about the War. They are doing it to the people again, more politics, more lies.

The War, the highest lie, the highest act of treason, the highest crime against the troops, their families and the American people.

The troops are dying for Bush's political agenda, to protect his position, his power and his families legacy in American history. The troops are dying for nothing.

The surge is a stall, to save Bush, to buy him more time till the end of his Presidency.

The War is madness, Bush has gone mad, there is no way to win or control in Iraq, its all nonsense and wrong.

The War is lost!

Congress knows, they must stop playing politics, using the War in the last election, doing nothing and now using the War to run for President

They must impeach Bush (Cheney) now! They must put them on trial for the high crime of treason! They must bring the troops home now!

Dam it Congress! Act now! Do it now!

Jim McGregor Parish, NY

jim mcgregor, parish, new york (Sent Tuesday, November 06, 2007 9:34 PM)

The democrats don't dare impeach Cheney. Especially before the '08 election. Just imagine what the witness list would look like. Bill Clinton, Al Gore, John Kerry, et al being made to testify as the evidence of WMDS in Iraq. They saw the same intel. They came to the same conclusions. Impeaching Cheney will make the dems look bad. Why do you think Hoyer and Pelosi are against it? Why do you think the Republicans voted for it? An impeachment trial would finally close the case for good, in Cheney / Bush's favor. Democrats need to make an issue of this (even though it's not)since they have nothing else to run on.
Nice approval rating Congress. Good Job. Oh, and keep porking up that water bill.

rudytbone, PA (Sent Tuesday, November 06, 2007 9:47 PM)

I wonder if executive privilage can be used to obfuscate an impeachment investigation. As far as crimes are concerned. Irving (Scooter) Libby was found quilty of obstruction of justice in his successful attempt to prevent the investigation of Cheney and his cronies' involvement in the outing of Valerie Plame (a quite serious felony.)

I believe that several of the jurors in that trial thought that the wrong man was in the dock, as the evidence presented strongly implicated Cheney. He's dirty....and, once again, it demonstrates how the rich and well connected get away with criminal activity while the rest of the populous gets to support the prison/industrial complex by serving mandatory minimum sentences.

brisa, Illinois (Sent Tuesday, November 06, 2007 10:04 PM)

brisa, Illinois (Sent Tuesday, November 06, 2007 10:05 PM)

Democrats & Republicans mostly are sheep ruled by the CFR, Bilderberg Group, Trilateral Commission, Illuminati-New World Order global crime racket. If you haven't heard of these organizations then you are clueless and uninformed and not really capabale of offering any valid commentary. The government doesn't work for the people, they are actors and puppets used to con the public. Kucinich is one rare politician who tries to do what's best for the public. I don't support his socialist leanings but I respect his intentions and integrity. He's also collecting info on the 9/11 coverup - www.911truth.org - it was an NWO inside job, for those who remain clueless.

JediShaman (Sent Tuesday, November 06, 2007 10:31 PM)

I love Kucinich! Finally someone with a little gumption! And Dennis actually listens to the American people instead of Corp. Interests! I am so sick of the lawlessness of this administration; and now Mukasey is confirmed. Yikes! He's as bad as AG.

J Tinberg; Bloomington, Mn (Sent Tuesday, November 06, 2007 10:35 PM)

We are supposed to have a system of checks and balances. Dennis Kucinich did his duty today. Sadly, Nancy Pelosi, by saying that "impeachment is off the table," is really telling the country that Congress is ignoring its responsibility to "check" an out-of-control Executive Branch. Bush and his friends can basically break any rules without fear of consequences.

Charles Coleman Jr., Pacoima, CA (Sent Tuesday, November 06, 2007 10:58 PM)

I don't hold out any hope that the Democrats, or the rest of Congress for that matter, will behave responsibly regarding this criminal Vice President or his nominal superior, but I'm not going to let it show as far as they're concerned. I'm going to continue to make their lives miserable with calls, emails and general pestering in whatever ways are available to me, as long as they continue to shirk their duties under the Constitution.

Dennis Kucinich has correctly framed only a very small subset of the misbehaviors of this Vice President, and the only right thing to do is to impeach both him and his "boss" as quickly as possible, before they threaten someone else, or out another CIA agent, or, God help us, something far more damaging than even those things. It's deeply unsettling to see these people continually mishandle the great power and authority of the United States while the world needs an America with a steady guiding hand.

Is anyone really happy to see only George Bush and Dick Cheney standing between us and the chaos fomenting now in Pakistan, Burma, Turkey and elsewhere? How's this working out so far?

Good grief, impeach these people while there's enough of a civilized world left to stand up for!

Don, Sammamish, WA (Sent Tuesday, November 06, 2007 11:17 PM)

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