Beyond the Bush impeachment
LEIGH POMEROY
I have finally come to the conclusion that impeachment proceedings against George W. Bush are not a matter of "if" but "when". This arises out of three conclusions:
First, the multitude of evidence indicating that he has committed "high crimes and misdemeanors," expecially when compared to the impeachment evidence against Presidents Clinton and Nixon, is overwhelming.
Second, I have an innate faith that the American system will, in the long run, work.
And third, ultimately the truth will prevail.
The weakest of these is my third conclusion, since historically the "truth" is often a function of the power of those who relate history. Also, the bulk of the truth may not emerge till George W. Bush's reign is over. (Thank God for the two-term Presidential limit.)
So, if Bush is impeached — which will occur if the House of Representatives changes hands after this year's elections, and may occur if it doesn't — will he be convicted? I doubt it.
I doubt it because, like Nixon, he will resign first, even if it appears that conviction is not a foregone conclusion.
What then? Will Cheney become President?
Not likely, since in all probablility Cheney will be long gone before then, having stepped aside in a ineffective attempt to take heat off the President; also, so that the President could theoretically appoint someone more politically neutral (and a possible heir apparent) to take his place. This might be McCain, but McCain would not take it. It would probably be Condi, making her the first woman and Black American to hold that office.
In fact, Condi would be a strong probability since, according to the 25th Amendment, both houses of Congress would have to approve the President's nomination, and Democrats would be hard-pressed to vote against a woman and a Black at the same time.
And that, of course, is how Condi will become President. She will take Cheney's place and then Bush's, and as the French would say, voila! It is done.
The pundits will say, "I told you so." And the historians will say, "...turning point in American history." And the Europeans will breathe a sigh of relief and reach for a glass of wine and wonder what crazy thing will the Americans do next and hope beyond hope that they don't start another war. And the Americans will say, "What is the price of gas today?" and "Who's ahead in 'American Idol'?" and "What season of 'Survivor' is this?"
In other words, business as usual. The ship of state plows on.
As for President Rice, well.... It has a nice ring to it, doesn't it, even if only for a year or two?
I have finally come to the conclusion that impeachment proceedings against George W. Bush are not a matter of "if" but "when". This arises out of three conclusions:
First, the multitude of evidence indicating that he has committed "high crimes and misdemeanors," expecially when compared to the impeachment evidence against Presidents Clinton and Nixon, is overwhelming.
Second, I have an innate faith that the American system will, in the long run, work.
And third, ultimately the truth will prevail.
The weakest of these is my third conclusion, since historically the "truth" is often a function of the power of those who relate history. Also, the bulk of the truth may not emerge till George W. Bush's reign is over. (Thank God for the two-term Presidential limit.)
So, if Bush is impeached — which will occur if the House of Representatives changes hands after this year's elections, and may occur if it doesn't — will he be convicted? I doubt it.
I doubt it because, like Nixon, he will resign first, even if it appears that conviction is not a foregone conclusion.
What then? Will Cheney become President?
Not likely, since in all probablility Cheney will be long gone before then, having stepped aside in a ineffective attempt to take heat off the President; also, so that the President could theoretically appoint someone more politically neutral (and a possible heir apparent) to take his place. This might be McCain, but McCain would not take it. It would probably be Condi, making her the first woman and Black American to hold that office.
In fact, Condi would be a strong probability since, according to the 25th Amendment, both houses of Congress would have to approve the President's nomination, and Democrats would be hard-pressed to vote against a woman and a Black at the same time.
And that, of course, is how Condi will become President. She will take Cheney's place and then Bush's, and as the French would say, voila! It is done.
The pundits will say, "I told you so." And the historians will say, "...turning point in American history." And the Europeans will breathe a sigh of relief and reach for a glass of wine and wonder what crazy thing will the Americans do next and hope beyond hope that they don't start another war. And the Americans will say, "What is the price of gas today?" and "Who's ahead in 'American Idol'?" and "What season of 'Survivor' is this?"
In other words, business as usual. The ship of state plows on.
As for President Rice, well.... It has a nice ring to it, doesn't it, even if only for a year or two?
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1 Comments:
I agree with Jerry. At this point, it's not even to a question of "if".
It would take quite a bit of political power -- which any opposition to the White House doesn't have and most likely won't develop any time soon -- and a large sway in public opinion.
Another point is that the United States should count on another domestic or foriegn terrorist attack. If that to tragically happen in the next few years, it would be another opportunity that the White House and its adjunct members in Congress to sideline discussions about legal infractions and such.
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