Can we now understand -why- impeachment is likely to fail at this time?

[jpgray]

However deserving Bush and Cheney are, unless we have a revelation from current investigations that obviates the natural skittishness of ambitious pols, the votes will simply not be there. They won't be there for impeachment -or- conviction. As much as some have claimed that as soon as the resolution was introduced all Congress would fall into place behind it, and thereafter all evidence would magically be rooted out by our submissive, tiny majority, that's clearly not the case. Why people pretended it was? I have no idea. Yeah, if we had a tough-minded sizable majority impeachment could be brought about with the extant evidence (conviction would still be dicey). But in our current condition that simply won't be happening. Hate it all you want, but that's the reality.

As for calls to replace all skittish ambitious Dems with brave, solid progressives I'm all for it. First figure out:

1. What is the purity test that determines an acceptable Democrat?
2. Do we have a viable candidate from each district that passes the purity test?
3. If the bad Dem wins the primary or it is too late for that Dem to be challenged, what happens then?
4. If an independent candidacy is the vehicle to oust the bad Dem, how does one avoid a Republican winning on a plurality after the progressive vote is split? Is risking a Republican majority the only way to clean house?

We need to fix the party, but I would advise people to be suspicious of those who claim destroying it is the best option. To my mind that's people's emotions and idealism clamoring for a quick fix to the problem. There isn't one. Attempting to oust all unacceptables at this time first of all wouldn't be workable, and even if it were the end result would likely be a sizable Republican majority in Congress, due to the split vote. Which sucks, but that's our system at the moment.

[Mojorabbit]

1. To fix it

means a good purging. I won't apologize for their behaviour. Not one bit.

[jpgray]

3. Okay. How would you purge the party?

[rudy23]

2. That's a circular argument--how do we get the revelation without impeachment hearings?

Regular subpoena power isn't going to cut it.

We are not going to get anything done in Congress until someone holds Mr. Signing Statement accountable on some level.

This was our last chance, and now that impeachment is REALLY off the table, watch for Bushco to really put the pedal to the metal from here until the end of their term (whenever that may be).

[jpgray]

5. Look at Nixon. All the evidence was produced without a single impeachment hearing

His administration was systematically destroyed through strong investigation, not impeachment.

[Hydra]

4. HA!

this was an announcement that they don't care what we think. We'll be lucky to have elections next year, let alone one that counts.

[The Stranger]

6. What we understand now is that impeachment fails because the Democrat leadership is complicit in

the crimes of the Administration. They simply won't impeach.

[jpgray]

7. What evidence do you have that complicity is their motivation?

[The Stranger]

11. Nearly all of the evidence points to such a motivation.

[Robbien]

8. Knew you would jump in and try to temper all the anger against the DLC

Well, even though the DLC thinks the small people who support them are too unimportant to even care about, they would thank you for your efforts if they ever get a moment to waste any time on giving "the small people" thanks.

[jpgray]

9. Be as angry as you want. I supported Dennis's resolution, even though I knew it would fail

And how anyone could have expected less I don't know. Why do people expect a Congress that can't stop the war or investigate strongly to suddenly become strong advocates of impeachment? By what reasoning?

[Neshanic]

10. Well, well, well. Now everthing is equal to the gay one issue thingy.

By all means don't rock the boat. Hows it feel to be told "Hate it all you want, but that's the reality."

Classic.

Destroy the party? Us? What universe do you inhabit? They are doing JUST FINE without any help from us here.