1974 A Reminder - Only 40% of Americans Supported Impeachment

[kpete]

POLITICAL POLLS


In February 1974, after Richard Nixon had sacked special prosecutor Archibald Cox in the "Saturday Night Massacre," and many member of Congress were making noises about impeachment, 51% of Americans OPPOSED impeachment.



http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/white_house/july-dec98/kohut_10-13.html

Just six months after that poll came out, Nixon resigned.

Preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States of America.

THE PRESIDENT's OATH OF OFFICE: Before he enter on the Execution of his Office, he shall take the following Oath or Affirmation:--

''I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States,
and will to the best of my Ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.''

http://caselaw.lp.findlaw.com/data/constitution/articles.html

[whistle]

1. What is it right now with George Dubya 70%?

[jgraz]

2. The problem is time, not political will

In 1974, the investigations were already underway and a special prosecutor had been appointed (and fired). In our case, there has been zero oversight for the past six years. No way the Dems can make a proper case for impeachment before 2008.

That doesn't mean they can't investigate and bring people to account. By the time Jan, 2009 rolls around, we should be ready to start indicting people -- just as soon as Bush loses his power to pardon.

[longship]

3. Deleted. The OP is rubbish.

The cited graphic is for 10/7-10/2006, *NOT* for 1974.

[guruoo]

7. Story is dated October 13, 1998...

Point made, anyway.
Graphic is related to Clinton, not Nixon.
:hi:

[longship]

9. I remember Nixon's impeachment process.

There was so much support for it that by Aug, 1974, many stallwart Republican Congress critters had long since abandoned Nixon. The dramatic change in public opinion came on Oct 20, 1973, "The Saturday Night Massacre". On that day alone 50,000 telegrams hit Congress, most of which were demanding Nixon's impeachment. Within two months impeachment had been above the fold on page one of every major newspaper in the country. Nobody was not talking about it.

The key thing here is that the House did *not* launch an impeachment inquiry until February, 1974, a whole 18 months after the Watergate break-in. It took overwhelming support from the public to get it started.

That's why those who want the Chimp impeached have to focus their efforts on getting the people of the USA on their side. As of now, the people are *not* convinced. All those polls being cited include people whose support is *soft*, "If Bush has committed impeachable offenses" or "If Bush lied us into war."

In other words, until investigations demonstrate that these offenses were committed, the people will not back impeachment.

[guruoo]

13. Yes, we can't afford to approach impeachment like

a bull in a china shop.

[let us vote]

4. It's 87% according to current polls.

[longship]

6. I do not believe your numbers.

Citation, please.

Where is impeachment 87%?
I've not seen anything like that. More like low 50's, much of which is "soft".

[guruoo]

11. I recal it being low 50's in '05

[longship]

5. Well, the graphic is for October 7-10, 2006.

I think you had better retract your claim that this was about 1974.

[kpete]

8. sorry if this was inaccurate -

this was my source:

In February 1974, after Richard Nixon had sacked special prosecutor Archibald Cox in the "Saturday Night Massacre," and many member of Congress were making noises about impeachment, 51% of Americans OPPOSED impeachment.

That did not deter Congress from acting to pull the rug out from under an out-of-control Executive Branch, in order to preserve our constitutional form of government.

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2006/11/19/111850/82

[longship]

10. I think that the Kos post is inaccurate.

I can see why you made your OP, though.

These things happen here.
:shrug:

[kpete]

12. thanks

hate getting anything wrong -

but I always appreciate those of you who watch out for me...

Peace...kp