Pelosi: "We are substituting the judgment of this Congress for your failed judgment."
The House fell short of votes to overturn Bush's Iraq veto by a vote of 222-203. I know by outward appearances that the President’s Veto seems like a loss for Speaker Nancy Pelosi, but the fact that this kind of legislation ever even reached the president's desk would have seemed like a miracle just a few short months ago. The house and the senate are actually beginning to show signs of intelligent life for the first time in years. Now it is just a matter of building support for the Democrat's position.
The bad news is that seven Democrats broke rank and voted to uphold Bush's veto. But Speaker Pelosi also gained seven initially abstaining Democrats, and two Republicans broke rank and voted to override Bush's veto. (Think Progress.) So Speaker Pelosi lost seven Democrats, and also gained seven Democrats and two Republicans, a net gain of two more votes for Pelosi.
The sad truth is that the battle against Bush is only going to be won by the dribs and drabs of politicians influenced by their constituents. There is not going to be some television-drama moment when rationality springs from the government's forehead fully grown and dressed in neoprene battle armor, dripping with false portent and just in time for the commercial break.
I am growing a little weary of those that state that not enough is happening fast enough for their tastes. "Why even have an impeachment process if you can't even use it," I read in one comment. The impeachment process is not a walk in the park, and must be carried out according to the Constitution of the United States.
Speaker Pelosi is doing what she can with what she has got. If she doesn't have enough the votes to override an unpopular veto, then she certainly doesn't have enough votes to impeach our sad little president, yet.
First formal charges must lodged against the president and the vice-president. These have to be examined by an independent prosecutor designated by a House judiciary committee and the Attorney General of the United States. (i.e. The charges have to be so watertight that even a stooge appointed by Attorney General Gonzales has to sign off on them. Think about it.)
Then Speaker Pelosi and the House have to approve the articles it requests that the Senate use to "impeach" the president and the vice-president. Then, and only then, can Harry Reid and the senate try the impeachment. A 2/3 majority of the Senate would then be needed to for a conviction. ThinkQuest
I'm not saying that it's not going to happen, but it would be a fool's boast to try and run the idea through congress half-cocked and unsupported. What Pelosi is doing right now is building momentum and support, while the president and the White House get more unpopular by the day.
If Speaker Pelosi were to push for impeachment right now, it wouldn't go anywhere and would waste valuable time that is better used to do things like get our men out of Iraq.
Nothing against Dennis Kucinich, but it is very easy to say that he wants impeachment. Without a 2/3rds majority in the senate, he is just whistling a popular tune for the greatest popular effect. Everybody knows it sounds good, but it is a Mary Poppins pie-crust promise, easily made - easily broken.
Any damn fool can shout, "free cookies for everybody!" Rational people figure out what can and cannot be done, determine how to actually deliver on a plan, gather support and then pursue the plan logically. Rational people get the job done. Rational people like Speaker Nancy Pelosi.
The bad news is that seven Democrats broke rank and voted to uphold Bush's veto. But Speaker Pelosi also gained seven initially abstaining Democrats, and two Republicans broke rank and voted to override Bush's veto. (Think Progress.) So Speaker Pelosi lost seven Democrats, and also gained seven Democrats and two Republicans, a net gain of two more votes for Pelosi.
The sad truth is that the battle against Bush is only going to be won by the dribs and drabs of politicians influenced by their constituents. There is not going to be some television-drama moment when rationality springs from the government's forehead fully grown and dressed in neoprene battle armor, dripping with false portent and just in time for the commercial break.
I am growing a little weary of those that state that not enough is happening fast enough for their tastes. "Why even have an impeachment process if you can't even use it," I read in one comment. The impeachment process is not a walk in the park, and must be carried out according to the Constitution of the United States.
Speaker Pelosi is doing what she can with what she has got. If she doesn't have enough the votes to override an unpopular veto, then she certainly doesn't have enough votes to impeach our sad little president, yet.
First formal charges must lodged against the president and the vice-president. These have to be examined by an independent prosecutor designated by a House judiciary committee and the Attorney General of the United States. (i.e. The charges have to be so watertight that even a stooge appointed by Attorney General Gonzales has to sign off on them. Think about it.)
Then Speaker Pelosi and the House have to approve the articles it requests that the Senate use to "impeach" the president and the vice-president. Then, and only then, can Harry Reid and the senate try the impeachment. A 2/3 majority of the Senate would then be needed to for a conviction. ThinkQuest
I'm not saying that it's not going to happen, but it would be a fool's boast to try and run the idea through congress half-cocked and unsupported. What Pelosi is doing right now is building momentum and support, while the president and the White House get more unpopular by the day.
If Speaker Pelosi were to push for impeachment right now, it wouldn't go anywhere and would waste valuable time that is better used to do things like get our men out of Iraq.
Nothing against Dennis Kucinich, but it is very easy to say that he wants impeachment. Without a 2/3rds majority in the senate, he is just whistling a popular tune for the greatest popular effect. Everybody knows it sounds good, but it is a Mary Poppins pie-crust promise, easily made - easily broken.
Any damn fool can shout, "free cookies for everybody!" Rational people figure out what can and cannot be done, determine how to actually deliver on a plan, gather support and then pursue the plan logically. Rational people get the job done. Rational people like Speaker Nancy Pelosi.
Labels: Nancy Pelosi
8 Comments:
Best Pelosi pic yet.
Thank you, Dr. Monkerstein! You are very kind.
That pic is awesome.
Good thoughts on impeachment. I don't think it will happen and I don't think it should (even though I want Bush gone ASAP). Impeachment is such a serious business because it really undoes the democratic process of electing the president. I think unless you have clear bipartisan support against the president, as was the case with Watergate, it's a very dangerous approach.
The problem is, those of us who think impeachment should happen remember that the republicans got our last president impeached over a matter of such cosmic insignifigance.
And even then, he had more support among the American people than George Bush has enjoyed for almost two years.
It is truly galling when a man whose complete and dangerous incompetence for the job has been more than demonstrated, and whom virtually the entire country is against isn't removed. ASAP.
Stop making Pelosi look so sexy! Even this Vulcan is starting to feel all tingly.
With 2008 nearly around the corner, I almost wonder what the point of a Bush impeachment would be. He's nearly gone as it is. Hopefully, he'll have his day in court--it should be before an international court, but hey, as long as he's tried. It's much more important to end the war, and Pelosi's trying to do it, and that's what needs to be focused on. I admire the hell out of her for standing up and saying no more money and no more troops.
Excellent post.
Great post, Pelosi has really impressed me. She's working toward a goal and I think with time, effort and support she'll be able to acheive something great for our country.
Brando: Thank you, sir. Happy Second Blogiversary! I just heard about your Blogiversary today from Blue Gal. You bring up an excellent example regarding Watergate.
Ben Varkentine: Thanks for the link on your site! I think we both agree on this whole matter in principle.
Evil Spock: GILF it up, baby. You know you love it. Relax, and let your ears down.
SamuraiFrog: Yes, the president is nearly gone. He is becoming the invisible man. An international court might be too good for the man, but I'll take what I can get. I agree, it is far more important to end this war before we focus on the sad little man. Thanks!
Becca: Thank you, Becca. We are all so glad that you are back! I really like what you said, "Pelosi has really impressed me. She's working toward a goal and I think with time, effort and support she'll be able to achieve something great for our country."
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