The subtlety in Gore's speech

[ewagner]

I haven't seen any comments about this yet but I think it deserves some discussion.

A lot of the post-Gore speech comments are calling for immediate movement by Congresscritters to begin impeachment proceedings. That's not terribly likely to happen. But Gore was much more subtle. He didn't scream for Bush's impeachment. Instead, he called for appointment of a Special Prosecutor to investigate the illegal wiretapping(to which Bush has already admitted)and report back to Congress.

That's an important distinction.

Why?

Because in the current lexicon of the American public, impeachment = radical left-wing. But special prosecutor = moderate. It is therefore much more acceptable to petition a congresscritter to get a special prosecutor appointed than it is to sponsor an impeachment resolution. It's much more likely to get a repub congresscritter to bend to pressure of a special prosecutor than an impeachment inquiry.
Actually, Gore called on Gonzolas to appoint the special prosecutor but that's not likely to happen unless there is widespread public pressure put on congress.


Politically, the difference is profound.

[ruggerson]

1. deleted

OP corrected his typo, rudely obliterating my stand up routine

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

2. I caught that

and it is historically the way to go-after all, a special prosecutor was in place during the investigation of Nixon and of Clinton. I also liked his juxtaposition of Fitzgerald's name to the SP proposal. If Fitz were to take it on, it couldn't easily be called partisan.

[CottonBear]

3. But, but... the RNC says that Gore did not offer any solutions...

"While the President works to protect Americans from terrorists, Democrats deliver no solutions of their own, only diatribes laden with inaccuracies and anger." RNC statement RE: Gore's speech :(

I really detest the cowradly Republicans and I detest their stupid sheeple supporters even more. :grr:

[kentuck]

5. They prefer to keep their heads in the sand...

and permit the lawlessness to continue, because like Gore intimated, they are caught in their own web of fear...

[Yoda Yada]

13. But...but...didn't he state 5 points...

near the end of his speech, as to what needed to be done? Point 1...Point 2....Point 3....Point 4....Point 5....

This is what so irritates me,too. The Republicans ALWAYS say the Democrats don't have a plan. When they say "the Democrats don't have a plan for Iraq withdrawal"...the Democrats give suggestions....(no coverage)....Republicans say again "the Democrats don't have a plan"...AGAIN, no coverage for Democrats.....

They will do the same with Gore's speech....."he offered no solutions..." (no coverage of solutions)

The REPUBLICAN-OWNED CORPORATE MEDIA will NOT give Gore any help or any coverage.

SO.......essentiallly when Gore said it is up to "We, the people"...he was absolutely correct.

[kentuck]

4. After all, if they have nothing to hide....

then they should not fear a special prosecutor, right? Also, Gore would not have found it appropriate to call for impeachment, when his speech was on the rule of law. There could be an impeachment after the "investigation"...

[ewagner]

8. "If you haven't done anything wrong

then you have nothing to hide" I LOVE IT !!!

We should use their own words against them...

[punpirate]

6. Umm, I doubt that the public...

... thinks "impeachment=radical left-wing." Who did the impeaching of Clinton? The radical right wing. What is the distinguishing difference between then, and now? A right-winger is in office, and the press has supported him.

So, it's not at all bad to suggest impeachment--but, what Gore seems to be saying is: "get the evidence first." That's logical. :)

Cheers.

[ewagner]

10. Presnetly it does

the Repubs talking points have convinced the "liberal" media (coughwhorescough) that anybody who talks about impeaching Bush* is a left-wing, moonbat, wacko, radical. Nevermind that that the rightwing used it against Clinton...that was about s.e.x. so it was okay.

[punpirate]

15. That the right wing is using the media to...

... spread that meme doesn't necessarily mean that the broadest part of the public immediately swallows it. Historically, the collective American memory is a bit on the short side, but not that short. I would guess that most of the same 60% who approved of Clinton during his impeachment remember their thinking at that time.

Now, I wholeheartedly agree that the right wing is trying hard to put the blinders on the public, fill them up with the political equivalent of laughing gas and tell them fairy tales. But, the polls generally suggest that the public isn't buying into it. They did, at first, because they were scared (9/11) and then because of misplaced patriotism (Iraq war). The media cooperated by stressing the Bushies' side of those events. I think the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina turned that around more than just a bit. People began to develop a bit more skepticism about what Bush says and does. The media couldn't do anything about Katrina--it was there for all to see. Gradually, the public is making up their minds about Bush, and slow as they are to "get it," I do think that's happening.

Cheers.



edit syntax.

[Olney Blue]

7. I noticed that too. He asked for an investigation of illegal acts.

You have to gather the evidence before you can impeach.

[rzemanfl]

9. I have to check the transcript, but didn't he actually say "Special

Counsel?"

On edit, transcript says "Special Counsel" which even more moderate and non-judgmental than Special Prosecutor in my book.

[KoKo]

11. Indpendent Counsel. And, agree with you...it was

the proper way to go about it. Impeachment=Nixon and Dem Revenge in RW Minds. Independent Counsel=Ken Starr and the Conservatives.

[sendero]

12. Not only that...

.. but an independent-counsel/special-prosecutor can nail a boatload of the crooks for all kinds of stuff, whereas impeachment is satisfying but accomplishes little. I agree totally.

[sandnsea]

14. Just an observation

Other Democrats have been calling for special prosecutor hearings and investigations into the wiretapping, and have been beaten over the head for it. Lots of people have tried to explain that investigations are necessary before you can start calling for impeachment, and been beaten over the head for it. People have got to start asking themselves how this disconnect is hurting the ability of Democrats to hold Bush accountable.

That was a great speech by Gore, hit everything that needed hitting and I hope he keeps saying all of it. BUT, I've heard it all before.