Reply #15: There are ABSOLUTELY Things Bush Could Do

[On the Road]

which would make me favor impeachment. Invade or bomb Iran in defiance of the UN and Congressional resolutions, for one. Any other action that attempts to usurp the power of the Supreme Court or Congress, for another. And Bush needs to know that he's on a short leash.

I believe impeachment is best used against presidents who defy the separation of powers or refuse to fulfill their constituitonal obligations. That's why both the Johnson and the threatened Nixon impeachment were good ideas.

It's also very important to have sufficient support, not just 2/3 in the Senate, but 2/3 in the general population and preferably among "opinion makers." Seems impossible, but then so did 2/3 opposition to the Iraq War a couple of years ago.

The tide is turning Bush. Bush's opposition is growing to include the type of establishment figures on the Iraq Commission, who surely cannot be pleased with his casual dismissal of their hard work. Bush is on the way to being an embarrassment by the time he leaves office.

Unless there is a critical mass, impeachment will return the country to a 50-50 partisan stalement. Republicans will suddenly jump to Bush's defense. Failure to remove from office will be interpreted as vindication. Impeachment will dominate the news, take attemtion away from all the most pressing issues,and prevent Congress from compiling the kind of record of achievement that will set up a Democratic victory in 2008.

The alternative, letting Bush serve out the rest of his term and dealing with the mess he has made, is more likely to lead to a long-term Democratic majority.