House Avoids Cheney Impeachment Debate

Dems Narrowly Thwart Republican Attempt To Force Discussion Of Kucinich's Resolution

(AP)  House Democrats on Tuesday narrowly managed to avert a bruising debate on a proposal to impeach Dick Cheney after Republicans, in a surprise maneuver, voted in favor of taking up the measure.

Republicans, changing course midway through a vote, tried to force Democrats into a debate on the resolution sponsored by longshot presidential candidate Dennis Kucinich.

The anti-war Ohio Democrat, in his resolution, accused Cheney of purposely leading the country into war against Iraq and manipulating intelligence about Iraq's ties with al Qaeda.

The GOP tactics reversed what had been expected to be an overwhelming vote to table, or kill, the resolution.

Midway through the vote, with instructions from the GOP leadership, Republicans one by one changed their votes from yes - to kill the resolution - to no, trying to force the chamber into a debate and an up-or-down vote on the proposal.

At one point there were 290 votes to table. After the turnaround, the final vote was 251-162 against tabling, with 165 Republicans voting against it.

"We're going to help them out, to explain themselves," said Rep. Pete Sessions, R-Texas. "We're going to give them their day in court."

Democrats countered by offering a motion to refer the proposal to the House Judiciary Committee for further study, effectively preventing a debate on the House floor. That motion passed by a largely party-line vote of 218-194.

The White House, in a statement, said Democrats were shirking responsibilities on issues such as childrens' health insurance "and yet they find time to waste an afternoon on an impeachment vote against the vice president. ... This is why Americans shake their head in wonder about the priorities of this Congress."

Kucinich has long pushed for a vote to impeach Cheney, but has failed to win the backing of the Democratic leadership. After Kucinich introduced the resolution, House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, D-Md., immediately moved to table it.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said "impeachment is off the table" and Congress is focused on responsibly getting U.S. troops out of Iraq, covering 10 million uninsured children and meeting national priorities long neglected by the Bush administration, said her spokesman Nadeam Elshami.

The resolution said that Cheney, "in violation of his constitutional oath to faithfully execute the office of vice president," had "purposely manipulated the intelligence process to deceive the citizens and Congress of the United States by fabricating a threat of Iraqi weapons of mass destruction to justify the use of the U.S. Armed Forces against the nation of Iraq in a manner damaging to our national security interests."

The 11-page resolution also charged that Cheney purposely deceived the nation about an alleged relationship between Iraq and al Qaeda and has "openly threatened aggression against the Republic of Iran absent any real threat to the United States."

House approval of an article of impeachment sends the issue to the Senate, which has the constitutional authority to try and, with a two-thirds vote, remove a person from office.

[tpistil]

Why isn''t this front page news? Oh I forgot - "Liberal Media"... riiiight

[libsluvsuvs]

the best thing you could do for your election prospects and miserable ratings is have the impeachment trial and show the country how what debauchery this presidency has been in glorious detail.


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Posted by splamco at 10:29 AM : Nov 07, 2007
+ report abuse


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that is the problem..the house democrats do not have anything with substance..all allegations dug from the stinky bowels of the liberal netroots garbage can. if they would had proceeded..it would expose those nonesense grandstanding...

[libsluvsuvs]

(AP) House Democrats on Tuesday narrowly managed to avert a bruising debate on a proposal to impeach *** Cheney after Republicans, in a surprise maneuver, voted in favor of taking up the measure.


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what would be better than to call out the democrats on this issue to expose thier shallow and hallow grandstanding bullsh*t? this would had been a good opportunity for the republicans to show the world that there really is no substance to those allegations..its nothing but just a political ploy to lure the morons to thier side..

[aaabee-2009]

His conviction would have been a slam dunk.
Posted by greco99 at 10:29 AM : Nov 07, 2007

No, it wouldn''t. He hasn''t committed the one henious crime that actually gets a President impeached, getting a bj in the Oval Office. All other subversive acts are nothing compared to that, today''s history is teaching us.

[bareemperor]

Cheney: ''Make the bad people in Congress STOP! My heart, my heart!''

Bu$h: ''OK Di ck! I will call for martial law immediately! Did you get Halliburton to finish those camps?''

[ckcool192001]

Impeachment isn''t going to happen because of all the blind republicans in congress following bush over the cliff.

GunownerDan, I think you sir should take a look at the Bush presidency. He refuses to comply with subpenoes, he misinformed the american public regarding Iraq, and allowed the use of waterboarding against suspected terrorist. Waterboarding is illegal in the US...yet the CIA used it, and I''m willing to bet Bush told them to get the info no matter what it takes. Bush has brought this country from a time where the US had many alies to a time now where we have very few.

At least in a year and a couple of months he will no longer be in power. Ever noticed how previous presidents ask congress to pass certain legislation but Bush demands that it be passed exactly like he wants it....sounds a bit like a dictator to me.

[killtheliars]

The a$$ clowns in both parties need to do what they are told by us the people. It is apparent when speaking to others and just driving around that a majority in this country would have no problem seeing Cheney, Bush or both of them impeached. This excuse that people would be upset by impeachment procedings during a time of war is a joke. First oall we are not at war, until it is declared a war it is not a war, second if you get these two criminals out (and I mean criminals, look at both mens past and their insider trading) the Dems can finally stop this non-war that is getting people killed (unless they are just saying they want to stop it until they get power, and will then keep trying to steal oil just like these scum).
http://www.freewayblogger.com/freewaybloggerA28.htm

[realpatriot1]

pepperp,

I agree with your post 100%!

[tuppman]

To impeach or not to impeach. There is no question. The man belongs in Prison. You should also put his second in command, George (LYING) Bush there as well.
They make the horrible dictators in third world countries look like first graders. New Jersey political scandals pale in comparison to the high crimes and treason that these two crooks have perpetrated on the American People

[pepperp1]

Bummer, understand the timing though and lets remember why just Cheney the Republican Congress and Bush where co conspirators who enabled these frauds to be committed against our county and they would all need to be on trial. I prefer Congress continue the work of the People and continue oversight and investigations into the last 7 years of fraud and then when Bush can not pardon the felons like he did Libby and the Justice Department is restored to honor then issue the indictments. A Special Commission on the Subversion of our Government Instructions is absolutely in order and in Jan 09 the members should be seated.

Impeachment is off the table because who would want to obey their oath to defend the Constitution when it might complicate election prospects? Democrats - the best thing you could do for your election prospects and miserable ratings is have the impeachment trial and show the country how what debauchery this presidency has been in glorious detail.

[greco99-2009]

For shame that our representatives did not have the courage to Impeach Chenney. Probably part of a larger strategic effort to do well in upcoming elections, rather than focus on lame ducks.

The trial would have developed additional evidence helpful for the American people (and helpful to avert ongoing crimes).

Deliberately falisified intelligence, lying under oath, corrupt contracts, torture (including of Americans, Canadians, Eurpoeans), extra judicial killing, perjury (multiple material counts), contempt of court for failing to respond to subpeonas, intentional leaks to smear enemies and enrich friends, and the list goes on...

Have not doubt that Halliburton will be prosecuted for bilking the American taxpayers -- that''s why they fled the US and moved to Dubai (and, to avoid taxes).

His conviction would have been a slam dunk.

[gunownerdan]

We should impeach Nazi Pelosi right along with Cheney and Bush!

[gunownerdan]

Democrats in congress are just as useless and harmful to America as the republicans. No wonder the approval rating for congress is so low!!

CONGRESS: A SAFE-HOUSE FOR CRIMINALS

[glossypan]

brianwb.... thanks for your passion and committment.
Perhaps it is a difference in age, I no longer benefit from the exuberence of youth, or a difference in philosophy. Barbara Jordan is the public figure I admired most. Fellow progressives may wish to note that Ron Paul often referred to his Texas cohort in the House as "an ignorant victimologist".
Ending our occupation of Iraq and stopping a similar debacle in Iran will be the focus of my energies.
When that end is achieved, I hope that Mario Cuomo or Henry Waxman, probable AG nominees, will help put George Bush, Richard Cheney and Donald Rumsfeld behind bars.
^*^* Citizens Alert *^*^
Richard Cheney will be hunting pheasant in South Dakota this week.

[clestes-2009]

Impeach both Bush and Cheney. It would be the best thing this Congress could do BEFORE they start another war.

[wadyaknow]

"Impeach. Convict. Imprison. Water-board."

It is truly amazing how Pelosi is letting the Republicans set the agenda. My God woman if you want to know why you and the Democrats in congress are now hated it is because you HAVE NOT sttod up to Cheney. WE who elected you hoped you would stand up and you have done nothing. that is why as a LIBERAL GAY DEMOCRAT I am voting Republican next tiem to SEND YOU A MESSAGE because YOU have NO BACKBONE!!!! I may despise the Republicans and all they represent but I despise3 you more for being WEAK! I cannot wait to vote you out and country be damned!

[antoniof123]

Unless they have the votes needed in the Senate it is a mute point. So I agree with the house leadership. If you don''t then you are just a GOP trying to stir the pot.

Oh did I let a little think like facts get in the way of you neocon jerks.

[kissamaarse]

The Democratic leadership states that impeachment is not on the agenda, that child health and ending the Iraq war are. Odd, the GOP and/or is blocking both, so the Democrats are not getting their way (the will of the American people). So impeach the liar and subverter of our democracy and our constitution. Impeach. Convict. Imprison. Water-board.

[aaabee-2009]

The idea Dennis has is a smart one, first take out the doberman, and then without his guard dog, the man who would be king becomes the jester of the Louie XIV court." Posted by brianbwb at 09:06 AM : Nov 07, 2007

But what about the pitbull, who has already wiped his feet of the White House? He is as culpable as the doberman and has provided the ideas and machinary for attempted subvertion of the American electoral system for his own party''s gains. If that isn''t treason, what is, since not supporting the Iraq war is the New Hitlerism.