Did Someone Whisper Impeachment?

Posted on May 1, 2007
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George Bush for so long has refused to acknowledge his weakened political position overall, and especially regarding the war. Today, while vetoing the spending bill he requested because it contains some minimal Congressional oversight, on the fourth anniversary of his “Mission Accomplished” declaration that “major combat operations were over,” he is likely to signal some willingness to compromise on a replacement bill.

In an NPR interview Rep. John Murtha said, regarding a recalcitrant president:

There’s four ways you can influence a president. First of all, there’s the polls, which didn’t influence him. Second of all, there’s an election, which should have influenced the president. It has had some influence: He fired the secretary of defense. Third, there’s impeachment, and fourth, there’s the power of the purse. We’re using the power of the purse to negotiate with the president, and I hope we’ll be able to work out a – we want to work with the president to end this long conflict, where our troops are caught in a civil war.

Murtha backpedaled just a bit when pressed, but didn’t take it off the table by any means. He is recommending as a next step, funding military operations in Iraq for two more months while passing a full appropriation to take care of soldiers’ needs, Walter Reed, equipment, etc. That way forcing the conversation every couple of months. I like this approach, short of giving no more money for combat operations, except what’s necessary to withdraw more or less gracefully.

Bush could be doing what he’s already done many times, saying he’s willing to compromise, but then offering nothing. He has already stated that timetables and benchmarks are off the table. Will he offer anything new? Is there any way that, given what he won’t concede, he can offer anything substantial and that can be trusted to be sincere?

Rep. Murtha has a reputation of speaking his mind, not being careful at all times with his words. Still, to my ears, mentioning impeachment as a remedy, was not an accident. I think it was a signal that impeachment is on the table if the president continues to refuse to work with Congress. I wonder what back-channel messages might be sent up Pennsylvania Avenue?

Comments

2 Responses to “Did Someone Whisper Impeachment?”

mike/ on May 2nd, 2007 9:16 pm

“whisper?” someone should be shouting it from the top of the Capitol Dome!

m/
duke on May 13th, 2007 12:10 am

yall amaze me,you are willing to cut off our guys in the field!!all to make some bull shit point.look,theses guys arent going to take it easy if we pull out of iraq,,this an ideological thing.we must change their way of rearing their young..long live bush!!