What does it take to impeach a Senator (if possible)?

[bagelsforbreakfast]

Or bring a charge of conspiracy for treason?

***
John McCain: Republicans will block anyone Clinton names to the Supreme Court

https://thinkprogress.org/john-mccain-republicans-will-block-anyone-clinton-names-to-the-supreme-court-35636acca966#.j3gx5ncjw

[former9thward]

1. Its not possible.

The Senate and House have a right to expel members of their body. But not impeachment. That precedent was set in 1797 when the House impeached a Senator and the Senate refused to consider it.

That aside McCain is not guilty of treason. Treason is one of the few crimes defined in the Constitution. Article III, Section 3 defines treason as: Treason against the United States, shall consist only in levying War against them, or in adhering to their Enemies, giving them Aid and Comfort.

McCain is not guilty of any of that.

[jberryhill]

2. What law requires him to consent to any nominee?

So, if a Senator doesn't do something which is within that Senator's lawful ability to do or not to do, then you think they should be charged with a capital offense?

That's not how our system works. If the people of Arizona want a Senator who will oppose the President's nominee, they can elect one. If they want a Senator who will not oppose the President's nominee, they can elect one.

It's called a democratic system of government. The people can elect any asshole for whom a majority of them vote.

[Agnosticsherbet]

3. This is why we need to retake the Senate from the do nothing party.

[Glassunion]

4. You don't in peach senators. You can do that to quite easily to presidents. Takes about 10 min

of photoshop.


You can censor a senator though. Also takes about 10 minutes.

[HoustonDave]

9. unless I miss your meaning

please, look up the words "impeach" and "censure". "Censor" has a whole different meaning, albeit perhaps appropriate for the OP.

[Guy Whitey Corngood]

10. Please look up the word "pun". nt

[Bucky]

18. Why the sarcasm? I can't tell if you're being serious or incensor

ha !!

[Guy Whitey Corngood]

19. I'm always censor! Buh-leeve me!! nt

[Glassunion]

21. My posts can be too in tents for some folks.

[hardluck]

5. I'll never understand DU's obsession

With charging everyone with treason. It's just weird on a progressive board.

[tritsofme]

8. Not surprising to me. Authoritarians are far from being exclusively right wing.

[onenote]

17. Yup. Also some odd views of the first amendment

get expressed here from time to time.

[Bucky]

16. You think DUers are obsessive?!?!?!!!!!1!!

THAT'S TREASON!!

[hughee99]

20. As stated above, it's actually popular with authoritarians of all stripes.

The thing that makes it so appealing is that 1) everyone agrees treason is a bad thing, and 2) although it's clearly defined, the "aid and comfort" part of it means it really isn't.

In most cases, those claiming treason seem to take a very wide view of what "aid and comfort" is, or even an very expansive view of what an "enemy" is.

[lonestarnot]

6. I just voted against him. Does that help? LOL

[Bucky]

15. It helps a lot. It'll help more if you spend time on GOTV

You'd be my personal hero if you 10 friends to each turn out 10 new voters

[lonestarnot]

22. Welp, I don't associate with anyone but voting dems. All of them are democratic radicals. I know

of not one that doesn't vote, and doesn't vote dem.

[tritsofme]

7. Please, go to your local community college and take a basic civics class.

This post is embarrassing.

[Peaches999]

11. Seriously?

You cannot impeach a Senator, and a Senator is never going to be expelled for how he or she votes, nor should they be. Leave it to Trump to want to lock up his political opponents. We don't do that.

[Glassunion]

12. Treason? Really. Conspiracy to commit treason?

Being an asshole does not equate to treasonous behavior. Thank goodness, because I can be a real asshole from time to time.

Mr. McCain has every legal power to to block any court nominee he wishes. He also has every right to encourage others to do the same. This in no way is an imposition of war against the United States, nor does it align Mr. McCain or anyone who supports him with any enemy of the United States. Failing to acknowledge or appoint a justice to the Supreme Court also provides no aid or comfort to the enemies of the United States. It does however make Mr. McCain a giant doodie-head, as well as those who align themselves with him in this situation. I just gave the ole' U.S. Code and the Constituin a quick perusal with a text search and found no law against being an asshole, jerk, jack-wagon, ass, idiot, moron, f*ckface, or a giant bag of donkey dicks.

Seriously, treason is a very serious offense, and carries with it the death penalty. Just take a moment and think about what you are asking.

He (the President) shall have Power, by and with the Advice and Consent of the Senate, to make Treaties, provided two thirds of the Senators present concur; and he shall nominate, and by and with the Advice and Consent of the Senate, shall appoint Ambassadors, other public Ministers and Consuls, Judges of the supreme Court, and all other Officers of the United States, whose Appointments are not herein otherwise provided for, and which shall be established by Law: but the Congress may by Law vest the Appointment of such inferior Officers, as they think proper, in the President alone, in the Courts of Law, or in the Heads of Departments.

The Appointment Clause (italicized) from our Constitution clearly states that the President is the one who has the power to appoint justices, however there is the caveat that it is by and with the "Advice and Consent" of the Senate. It is well within the power of the Senate to deny an appointment. You cannot hang someone for exercising a legal power bestowed upon a Representative in our Constitution. It is there for a very good reason as it protects the separation of powers of the state. Now if someone wants to be a jerk about it, then fine, they can be. Mr. McCain will not be able to carry this one for long, and hopefully with hurt the Republicans come Election Day.

[Retrograde]

13. Can't impeach, but you can tell every voter in Arizona

that re-electing him would not be in the best interests of the country.

[Bucky]

14. 1- Altho obnoxious, he's done nothing treasonable. And 2- you don't impeach senators

Some states allow for recall votes, but that seems pretty unlikely given how he's about to be reelected.

[bagelsforbreakfast]

23. that's the trouble with democrats...

Too many Chamberlains, not enough Robespierres -- "To punish the oppressors of humanity is clemency; to forgive them is cruelty." Maximilien Robespierre

&

"Terror is only justice: prompt, severe and inflexible; it is then an emanation of virtue; it is less a distinct principle than a natural consequence of the general principle of democracy, applied to the most pressing wants of the country." Maximilien Robespierre

If the shoe were on the other foot Trump, his tribe and McCain would be breaking out the guillotine!

[MineralMan]

24. No impeachment is possible. Arizonans have to vote him out.

Perhaps they'll do that.