Reply #31: The backlash beast is a myth.

[pat_k]

The backlash beast is a myth. Where would it come from? No poll or study of the electorate detects some silent majority that will stand up and oppose impeachment. In fact, just the opposite. There's compelling evidence that a vast majority would rally behind impeachment -- that impeachment would tap a motherlode of energy and outrage against Bush. Newsweek just found that 58% of the nation wants the Bush presidency over right now. Before the election, when Newsweek asked whether impeachment should be a priority in the new Congress, only 44% said it "should not be done at all" (and that included Dems and Independents who were following Pelosi's "off the table" edict. These people would be on the impeachment bus in a second if the leadership got serious about it.)

Republicans are not defending Bush against accusations that they are abusing the Constitution to commit war crimes and operate a criminal spying program. Until the leadership gets serious about impeachment, we won't know how many, or how few, will be willing to defend the indefensible. The reality that is almost universally denied by impeachment naysayers is that Republicans would be happy to be rid of Bush and Cheney. They'll be VERY motivated to pressure Bush and Cheney to take the resignation "exit strategy" to ensure the White House stays in Republican hands.

Their fears of backlash have no rational basis.

On the other hand, the risk of failing to impeach is VERY real. When Bush starts WWIII, does Pelosi really want to be the one who had the power to stop him, but refused because she wanted to pass a Federal minimum wage lower than what is required in most states?

The election was not an Anti-War ralling cry; it was an Anti-Bush rallying cry. It was a cry to get us out of Bush World. There's no good solution to the quagmire in Iraq and Americans are rightfully ambivilent. The only consensus is that we must inject some sanity, and that there can be no sanity as long as we stay in Bush World.

All the sqwawking that the election was "all stopping the war" is just an attempt to shuttle the outrage at Bush into the safe and familiar "Anti-War" bucket. The parrots love that bucket. What better topic than a quagmire? What better way to feed the 24 hour "news" beast than the endless debate about the inescapable rathole. It's almost as good as the meaningless fluff of the "horserace."

Impeachment is the only way out of Bush World. Impeachment is the only way to express the true will of the people.

In addition to ignoring the risks of failing to impeach, they are ignoring the guaranteed benefits of impeaching Bush and Cheney.

The BIGGEST problem the Democratic Party has is the perception that they are cowardly and unprincipled weaklings. Failing to take up the fight to defend the Constitution with the ONLY weapon in the arsenal just confirms the perception.

The Dems are already being called cowards. The parrots are squawking. The drumbeat has begun. (If you doubt this, just read the http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/16904772/">'Tucker' transcript for Jan. 30).

Demonstrating fortitude and commitment to principle -- right or wrong -- ALWAYS benefits the leader who does so. Impeachment is the most effective way the Dems can challenge the "weak Dem" image.

Of course, even if impeachment weren't a political winner, the leadership of the House would still have a duty to call for impeachment. Their oath is not an oath to to win; it is an oath to fight -- to support and defend. There's nothing in the Congressional oath about defending the Constitution only when it gains them political advantage or when it exacts no cost.