An Analysis of Kucinich's Impeachment Case Against Bush

Some will want to dismiss Rep. Dennis Kucinich's introduction of articles of impeachment against President Bush as quixotic, but it's not. Twenty House Republicans joined nearly all House Democrats in voting to send the articles to the Judiciary Committee. This comes on the heels of the Senate Intelligence Committee's 107-page report confirming, with the vote of two Republican Senators, that President Bush abused his office by deceiving Congress and the American people into the Iraq war. Although Kucinich's articles included other impeachment grounds as well, deception about the war is arguably the most serious one.

We have long known that the reasons President Bush and his team gave for going to war in Iraq were false. Many have contended that the president deliberately misled the nation into war. Scott McClellan, for example, with his insider's perspective, says in his new book that the president used exaggerations and misleading statements to win public and Congressional support for going to war in Iraq. Now we have important corroboration of such claims: the Senate Intelligence Report has made it official in a way that Congress will find hard to ignore.

The report describes a drum roll of groundless statements by the president, the vice president and other top officials. While it does not use the word "lie," it offers plenty of evidence that we were "led to war based on false pretences," to quote Committee chair Senator Rockefeller. The report shows there was no intelligence to back up the President's contention that Al Qaeda and Saddam Hussein were in cahoots, or his claim that Saddam would give WMD to terrorists, much less the Vice President's fantasy that American soldiers would be welcomed as liberators.

Now that these are official findings of the Senate Intelligence Committee, the question is, what do we do about it? Just wring our hands? Simply hope for change in the November elections? Or does the Constitution now require something more of us?

The Constitution's framers envisioned the possibility that presidents and their minions might seriously abuse the power of their office, and "subvert the constitution." Their remedy was impeachment: the removal of the offending official to protect our democracy. They understood that Executives historically wanted to take countries into unnecessary wars, so they empowered Congress act as a real check on unwarranted presidential warmaking. Since lying to Congress obstructs that function, it is a grave abuse of power that "subverts the Constitution" and meets the standard for impeachment.

The House should commence an impeachment inquiry forthwith. In fact, in a sense, it is already beginning. Rep. Kucinich introduced the articles, the House has referred them to the Judiciary Committee and the Senate Intelligence Report goes a long way toward furnishing the investigative work Congress needs to do in the course of impeachment, at least as regards the run-up to the war (Congress should also look at other serious abuses of power, including President Bush's refusal to obey duly enacted laws, as evidenced by hundreds of signing statements, his violations of the laws on wiretapping and mistreatment of detainees).

The next step is to start asking, what did the president actually know and when did he know it? Former Treasury Secretary Paul O'Neill has stated that President Bush seemed determined to overthrow Saddam Hussein at the beginning of his administration, well before 9/11. There was also the British "Downing Street" memo written in the summer of 2002 stating that President Bush was going to "fix" the intelligence to fit the policy of overthrow. It's now incumbent on Congress to take these matters up in impeachment hearings.

Yes, even at the end of their terms, President Bush and Vice President Cheney can still be impeached and removed from office. There might just be sufficient time to finish impeachment before they leave office, and technically they could be impeached even after that. This administration can still be held accountable for the consequences of the unnecessary Iraq War and other grave abuses. The American people still have a chance to witness the Constitution in action as it appropriately limits the powers of this president, preventing further abuses by him (such as bombing Iran without approval of Congress) or by his successors.

This would be an important lesson in democracy. We last learned it 34 years ago during the Nixon impeachment process, which reminded Americans how the Constitution works. But our collective memory of those far-off events may have faded, especially after the past eight years of President Bush asserting extreme claims for presidential power, coupled with the failure of Congress to respond forcefully. As a result, as a nation we may have a diminished level of constitutional literacy compared to 1974. It's time to reinvigorate that literacy. We need to understand once again that acquiescing in this president seriously deceiving us into war means ignoring what the Constitution says, and jeopardizing our democracy.

Comments

[mystic]

We blew this last chance at regaining the respectability we lost in the eyes of the entire world. "They're only good at blowing bubblegum," the Europeans are saying about America. "There should have been millions of protestors in the streets. The American Congress has failed the people and the Constitution they swore to represent. America doesn't keep its word when it signs treaties; It ignores the Geneva Conventions; It is out of control; It tortures innocent people; It burns them to death in crematoria at Abu Graib. .We don't need nor want America anymore. It is persona non grata."
That's what the world is saying.

[davidly]

Say what it will, "the world" has been compliant by helping schlep detainees around the globe for torture. The entire world has a much bigger human rights problem than the majority of it's self-proclaimed progressive citizenry is willing to admit, regardless from which country one "heils".

[brighterside]

So what? The U.S. should be setting a example on human rights and not be a participant and supporter of such atrocities. We are the United States of America for God sake and should be leaders of civility and honor. We don't live in North Korea or Somalia -- yet we act as though we do.

[outnow]

The game of overthrow and regime change is fundamental to our economic imperialism and full spectrum dominance. At Julius Caesar's funeral, Mark Anthony was able to ague that Caesar filled the general coffers. Gun boat diplomacy, Manifest Destiny and the Monroe Doctrine are as old as the hills and twice as dusty. The problem is that the American People themselves went for the greasy pig for the oil. Certainly, members of Congress are able to determine when someone is lying. What lawyer who has sat through countless depositions and jury trials cannot spot a dishonest witness.

"The fault , dear Brutus, lies not in the stars but in ourselves." In other words the war in Iraq was not fate but a conscious choice the American People made to accept the lies of these horrible men knowing that they would end up killing many innocent civilians. This was the second invasion of Iraq and not the first time that the American and British invaded or overthrew the government of Iraq.

[kdublya]

It's NOT OK to lie as long as the American public believes it.

[Breakwind]

Revenge is a double-edged sword. Do you think the public will just sit on their hands if the libs try doing this?

[protagonia]

Breakwind See Profile I'm a Fan of Breakwind

Revenge is a double-edged sword. Do you think the public will just sit on their hands if the libs try doing this?
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This crime against America will be met one day, when justice matters again. The "Public" to which you refer are at least 60-70 percent in favor of impeachment. The ones who will protest this action are either paid to do so (traitors) or the more simple minded amongst us, who are easily dog trained to attack anything - even good and honest people. All dictators have used this tactic.

The good Americans will prevail though. 70 percent to 30 percent.

[RoloTomassi]

Probably not; which means, FYI, that the majority of Americans would be out in the street cheering them on, screaming "IMPEACH THE BASTARDS!"

Unfortunately, your GOP cronies will keep the articles in never-neverland....

[TexasDem0]

Justice is not revenge.

[conned]

If this president doesn't deserve to be impeached, what else could a president do that would warrant impeachment proceedings? Short of shooting puppies for fun on the White House lawn, he done it all!

[polly14]

well, he hasn't had sex with an intern, now has he? +

[tmcitizen64]

No, he has just caused the deaths of over 100,000 Iraqi civilians and more than 4,000 American Troops not to mention the many others injured on both sides of the conflict.

Pre-emptive war versus Blow Job, is like compariing Hitler to Pee Wee Herman.

Contact Pelosi and tell her to finally do her duty.

[RoloTomassi]

What we need, as Americans, is a way out of this TRAP. Congress is as much at fault with the current predicament as is BushCo. There is no such thing as accountability in DC, and I don't expect there to be any in my lifetime.

Our system needs some serious attention, but as we stand, trying to work out of this culture of almost absolute corruption is like trying to cure a stage IV cancer patient via surgery--the corruption regenerates faster than we can remove it.

To quote Nicholson's Melvin Udall from the film "As Good As It Gets":

[How do you characterize a member of congress?]

"I think of a man, and I take away reason and accountability."

[rudiy]

Wow! Democracy in action. This is not as simple as Nixon or even as clear as Clinton. What is the prize? Ah! I got you. Good idea, bad time, not enough votes and all takes away from election. If after January 2009, the new Congress wants to do something it will have tools and teeth.

[ThinkForYourself2]

How much play do you think this incredible story will get in the mainstream media or even on the Huffington Post for that matter?

When Mr. Kucinich, then a presidential candidate for that matter, introduced the articles of impeachment against Dick Cheney, how many of our public had an idea he was doing this? What he's doing now against "president" Bush should be the major news story for the next few months. This is huge news and I'd bet 99% of the public has no idea that this is even going on. Distraction is a primary tool of the magician and media alike. Hopefully what I'm saying makes you start asking some serious questions about what's really going on here.


So why, when and how did the impeachment of a president stop becoming newsworthy?

[protagonia]

More and more Americans are waking up to the fact that the MSM is our enemy, not our friend. The Mainstream Media is jammed with paid shills for international corporations.

REALLY bad people.

[Donkihoti]

"Judgment in Cases of Impeachment shall not extend further than to removal from Office, and disqualification to hold and enjoy any Office of honor, Trust or Profit under the United States: but the Party convicted shall nevertheless be liable and subject to Indictment, Trial, Judgment and Punishment, according to Law."
So, we can Impeach to remove them both and then Indict them for their crimes, and imprison them as they so richly deserve.
It's not an option, if Congress wants to do it's duty, but instead simply another of it's duties in the face of the long list of crimes enumerated by Mr. Kuchinich in the articles of Impeachment. I don't see that they have a choice, given their oath to protect the Constitution themselves. is it OK for a cop not to arrest someone who has obviously broken the law? No. The law is the standard, not the opinion of the person whose job it is to implement it.
Grow a spine, Congress. The American people remember the Repubs impeaching for a lie about a BLOW JOB....Get off your backsides and IMPEACH for lying about starting a WAR and STEALING a presidential election!! For Christ's sake, if there ever was an cause for impeachment and prosecution it's this one.
GET ON WITH IT PELOSI. GET ON WITH IT REID. It makes no difference if the repubs block it, we know they will, but you are obstucting justice yourselves through your inaction.

Long Live the Republic-

[timm0]

Amen to that.

My only requirement is that there is just as much action in trying to solve the other current problems while this effort moves in earnest. The republisquids will try a marketing campaign to convince the public that Dems are just looking for revenge. There needs to be ample proof to refute and further improve our chances in strengthening majorities in House and Senate.

[TheIndependenceParty]

It is critically important that the Democrats in Congress understand that they must do this for the American People, and not for themselves. In the end, it has very little to do with Congress, other than the fact that their powers have been dminished, with their acquiescence.

[Mogamboguru]

The president of the United States of America is neither a decider nor a ruler, lik George Walker Bush claimedit - but a servant to the peopl pf the USA, who are his master, as represented a. directly in the House of representatives (aka: Congress) and b. indirectly, by means of Senators representing their states in the Senate.

Therefore, when the MASTER (aka PEOPLE) tells the SERVANT (aka PRESIDENT) to step down - what does he really have to do? STEP DOWN - methinks.

Hey! I am german - but even I understand the interconnectivities in federal US-policy. It would be great, if the american people - Which I watch with the deepest respect and utmost sympathy! - would try to remember their great heritage and get to action ASAP.

Minutemen? It took you years, man! It's really high time to wake up and speed up. FASTER, PLEASE!

[Susanfrom29]

Unfortunately, as the cliched posters of the past used to say, "Between the dream and the reality, there falls a shadow."

Public 'service' ceased to be either public or service some time ago, perhaps when the American public gave up on its government.

[w&cheneysuck]

IMPEACH, IMPEACH, IMPEACH! I read Elizabeth Holtzman's book, The Impeachment of George W. Bush. It was very thoughtful and insightful. It wasn't easy to impeach Nixon, and yet we say today that it was a clear cut case for impeachment. Well, these Facists go WAY BEYOND what Nixon ever did or could have done to our country.

The nation has become complacent and I believe the MEDIA should be held accountable for that. The management of the Media outlets do not want to cause "waves". It is their duty to report the news and they are NOT! I still don't understand why they do not show the coffins coming back from Iraq; perhaps that would help to fuel this nation's disappointment with this unjust war? I don't want to imply that would should exploit, but to show RESPECT for the soldiers that have lost their lives due to the decision to invade Iraq just for O-I-L!!

Enough, please speak out before it's too late!

IMPEACH! Thank you Elizabeth for the reminder...

[Mogamboguru]

First, the US-people must stop regarding and accepting commercial media outlets as a source of clear information.

Thei are not. They are a business - with a bias, an agenda and a master, ho pulls the strings and sets the rules - which might be totally different from, what would be good for the people.

News media is no business - it is public service!

Whoever accepts media as business acceptts, that news are being bought and sold to the highest bidder, are withheld or are manufactured for profit.

Who accepts commercial media as a means to inform the people of what is really going on, would also have to accept that Congress and Senate would be informed solely by commercial, biased media befor making a decision.

IT'S ONE AND THE SAME! THE HOUSES A-R-E THE PEOPLE!

Therefore: STOP THE MSM. NEWS CANNOT AND MUST NOT BE BUSINESS ANY MORE. NEWS AND INFORMATION ARE PUBLIC SERVICES AND MUST BE REGARDED AS SUCH!

[allwrite]

If Bush manufactures an incident with Iran and involves us in another conflict, all in congress who failed to do their duty on impeachment should be held responsible.

[sd4peace]

They are responsible now, they should have done this years ago

[allwrite]

Yes, but they appear to require greater incentive.

[audiodramatist]

As a New Yorker, i’ve always liked Elizabith Holtzman; and i don’t mean in a Spitzer kind of way. Anyway this information did answer one of my questions around the process concerning the vice presidency. I remember before the Nixon overthrow, they got rid of Agnew and brought in G. Ford. Nixon was justly impeached and Ford brought in Rocky. History was made because we then had the first unelected combo in American history. Quite a history lesson, that was.

The most interesting aspect of this political season has be the living history lesson we, and the world, are getting almost daily.
The lesson(s) extend to the media and reportage, and a bunch of other areas we have taken for granted in this modern era.

I say Political Science departments, history teachers, Media departments, law schools and many other entities should demand this all be played out. Lesson can be learned.
The biggest lesson to be learned would be there are consequences to actions. And apologizing or tearing up in public or saying one regrets being perceived as a war monger is not enough.
A nation of laws will (would and should) exact true and just retributions for illegal actions.

I would also hope, unlike the S&L scandal, the culprits would be stripped of all ill gotten gains which resulted from the deception. We don’t need to pass the bailout to American tax payers.

...how does that song go?...Teach your children (future citizen voters) well.......

[anon004]

Nixon resigned rather than face impeachment; he wasn't impeached. I don't mean to nitpick, but we are surrounded by spin and "blurring the facts." I think if we know something is not factually correct, we have a duty to correct it. (Of course, in your case, I'm sure it was just an honest mistake, not an attempt to spin anything.) I agree totally that everyone needs to see that there are consequences to actions. Too many people in high places get away with too much.

[audiodramatist]

Correction accepted. Thank you. I don't want to be like the corporate media.
Actually, this is exactly why i like the modern world of media. Ordinary citizens can be even more viable than the glamour pusses.
Now, if we ordinaries can only keep the Internet free and open and not strangled to death.

[anon004]

Nixon resigned rather than face impeachment; he wasn't impeached. I don't mean to nitpick, but we are surrounded by spin and "blurring the facts." I think if we know something is not factually correct, we have a duty to correct it. (Of course, in your case, I'm sure it was just an honest mistake, not an attempt to spin anything.) I agree totally that everyone needs to see that there are consequences to actions. Too many people in high places get away with too much

[research]

Join a million people: vote for impeachment:

http://www.impeachbush.org/site/PageServer?pagename=homepage

see my profile for my standard pro impeachment tirade.

[dagnome27]

One other thing to think of - the republican persecution and eventual impeachment of Clinton was likely a pre-emptive strike to sicken the public against any further impeachments in the near term - fitting exactly into their plan to run away with the executive branch, once they stole the Presidency, and without fear of recourse by Congress (after all, who could justify back-to-back impeachments??)

This is not a conspiracy theory - it's a reasonable deduction, based on the events that have transpired.

[Susanfrom29]

Wow.

It is a reasonable deduction which makes it a conspiracy which means that all members are equally guilty of the crime committed by the conspiracy.

[TScheisskopf]

I have long thought that some of that was, at the very least, discussed amongst the Repug players, if not implemented.

Ultimately, I think it was implemented. In fact, it was the raison d'etre for the whole sordid mess. Getting The Big Dog out would only have been lagniappe.

[Susanfrom29]

I always thought that Congress had an absolute responsibility to act as a check and a balance to the power of the Presidency and have never understood how Congress can continue to refuse to act.

Or is running for re-election so much more important than actually doing the job one is elected to do in the first place?