McCain: 'There Just Aren't The Votes There' To Impeach Obama

[DonViejo]

By CATHERINE THOMPSON Published JULY 29, 2014, 7:01 AM EDT

Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) said Monday that the votes to impeach President Barack Obama are simply not there in the U.S. Senate, even if Senate Republicans thought the maneuver necessary to stop what they see as an abuse of executive authority.

"We're not gonna impeach the president of the United States. There just aren't the votes there even if we believed that it was warranted," McCain told host Mike Broomhead on Phoenix radio station KFYI.

The Arizona Republican instead encouraged electing a Republican Senate majority as a means of curbing the President's "misbehavior." He also said that impeachment talk among more conservative Republicans presents Democrats with an easy opportunity to fundraise against the GOP.

"I think the Democrats view [impeachment] as a good way to raise money to use against us, and I don't want to let that happen," he told Broomhead. "But I do believe the President has broken more laws by executive order -- let me put it this way, I think he's abused the executive branch in a way I don't recall any other President doing that, by these executive orders that are just directly contrary to the law."

more + audio:
http://talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/john-mccain-there-arent-enough-votes-for-impeachment

[hobbit709]

1. Once again McCain is an idiot.

The House impeaches, the Senate tries. And while the senate may get a majority vote it takes 2/3 of the senate to convict.

[Erich Bloodaxe BSN]

2. I think the full sentences changes drastically from the half.

As much as I dislike McCain's lack of integrity or morality, taken in the full context, the interpretation changes drastically.

We're not gonna impeach the president of the United States. There just aren't the votes there even if we believed that it was warranted.

Within the full sentence, McCain is at least saying that he doesn't believe it was warranted. So he's just realistically admitting that some too-small number of his caucus would like to impeach, which is no surprise to anyone paying attention, when he put on the 'we don't have the votes' part.

Mountain out of molehill story from TPM.

[kysrsoze]

9. He still did say all this...

"But I do believe the President has broken more laws by executive order -- let me put it this way, I think he's abused the executive branch in a way I don't recall any other President doing that, by these executive orders that are just directly contrary to the law."

So he's saying, in an obtuse way, "Yeah, if we had the votes and believed..."

He's talking out of both sides of his stupid mouth, to keep the knuckle-draggers fired up.

[Erich Bloodaxe BSN]

10. Well, there's no shock either.

Hence my reference to his lack of integrity.

[kysrsoze]

11. Yes, indeed, you did. Point taken. :D

[demwing]

3. McCain is my reverse weather vane

Since he's so wrong so often, his impeachment doubt means Obama is probably screwdled.

I wont relax till McCain is certain that Obama is done for!

[spin]

4. It seems only the Tea Party seems to favor impeachment. ...

Check out this link if you wish to read the Tea Party position on impeachment.
http://www.teaparty.org/impeach-obama-petition/

The Tea Party doesn't strike me as the brightest lightbulbs in the Republican Party. This ultra conservative faction of the Republican Party must be driving the older established members to drink.

Of course the Democratic Party will use this threat of impeachment to fire up its base. It might just stop the Republicans from gaining control of the Senate after the midterms.

Now Sarah Palin has her new own online network. She's the gift that just keeps on giving to the late night comedians and the Democratic Party.

[n2doc]

5. I'm sure mcInsane would vote to impeach if he were the deciding vote n/t

[bigdarryl]

6. There will be if the rethugs take control of the Senate

[kysrsoze]

8. No there won't. Even if it happened, it takes a 2/3 Senate vote.

[kysrsoze]

7. ... or the actual reasons, but why would that matter? Looks like he can't get revenge on "that one."

Asshole.

[bullwinkle428]

12. But I'll bet you're VERY VERY excited to give it the old college try,

eh, Johnny Mac?

[MohRokTah]

13. So McCain doesn't understand how impeachment works?

The Senate has no power or authority to impeach a president. That power rests solely with the House.

The Senate conducts the trial AFTER the House has been impeached. So McCain is blowing smoke out his ass. The Senate does not impeach. It convicts or acquits the president.

[rurallib]

14. I would so love to see the full explanation behind their reasons

Put some meat on "But I do believe the President has broken more laws by executive order -- let me put it this way, I think he's abused the executive branch in a way I don't recall any other President doing that, by these executive orders that are just directly contrary to the law."

Give specifics, and show how Obama's executive orders are different in scope than other presidents. I am so curious what exactly he has done that is so bad as to reach the level of "high crimes and misdemeanors." In comparison why other presidents were not impeached for essentially the same thing.

Methinks presidenting while black is the only misdemeanor in their reality.