New Hampshire Republican Senator John Sununu has just
called for the resignation of Attorney General Alberto
Gonzales. While it is remarkable for a Republican
Senator to be in the forefront of calls for Gonzales
to step down, it is more a sign of Sununu's political
pragmatism and his understanding of the new political
realities in his home state.
Last fall (after the New Hampshire Democratic party
made impeachment part of their platform), for the
first time in decades, New Hampshire voted Democratic
from one end to the other. Sununu has to recognize and
account for this shift. He has to own up to the fact
that New Hampshire folks can tell when they're being
lied to, and when they're being sold a bill of goods.
This administration has been doing both and Sununu
would defend them at his peril.
How ironic that across the river in Vermont, where 40
Vermont towns have now called for impeachment, where
citizens have been lobbying their state legislature
every day to get an impeachment resolution out of the
Vermont House Judiciary committee, our Congressman,
Democrat Peter Welch has decided that it is not
practical or effective to consider impeachment, and
that there is no need to even have this debate. The
Democrat is affording more protection to George Bush
than is his Republican counterpart. For that matter,
Mr. Welch's refusal to invoke his constitutional
rights and duties directly protects Mr. Bush while
doing damage to the Constitution.
Mr. Welch instead pins his hopes on amendments to
spending bills, or resolutions calling for a date to
have the troops withdrawn. Mr. Welch is aware that the
Republicans have the votes to uphold any Presidential
veto. Furthermore, Secretary Rice has flatly stated
that regardless of what Congress may say, the
President will execute this war as he sees fit.
The only action that Congress can take that will have
any meaning and any chance of success is to issue
articles of impeachment. Mr. Welch could make himself
a hero to our state and to the nation.
How could this Vermont freshman member withstand the
fury of Pelosi that would undoubtedly come his way in
response to introducing articles of impeachment?
Consider this; in the last election, Welch was able to
beat Republican Martha Rainville in part because a
strong Progressive party challenger decided not to
run. If Welch stands for the Constitution and calls
for impeachment, he would earn principle credentials
with many in Vermont who have been disappointed in him
in the recent past. It would help him get a chance at
a second term. If he stays loyal to the Pelosi plan,
and is cast as another establishment Democrat, then he
almost certainly will face a strong three way race for
re-election. Would Pelosi prefer a maverick Democrat,
or another Republican to represent Vermont?
We can only raise the volume, and trust that our
representatives will hear before it's too late.