Impeaching a President

Though I voted for George Bush in 2004 I am not a supporter of his current attitude towards the Constitution and other aspects of his Presidency. With this said and looking at all of the polls and petitions floating around for Impeachment I thought it best to give you the so called "Rules of Impeachment".

Cindy Sheehan has threatened to run against Nancy Pelosi (Speaker of the House) as an independent, unless Pelosi begins the process of impeachment by July 23rd, 2007. The chance of her winning are slim to none but nevertheless I personally do not believe Impeaching Bush and Cheney will accomplish anything other then divert the attention away from other pressing matters that the Senate and Congress could achieve in that time frame.

A very startling fact regarding the cost of an impeachment. I will compare the cost of the attempt to impeach William Jefferson Clinton, to the investigation of 9/11/01.

The Government ( With Our Tax Dollars) spent $65 Million in attempting to impeach Mr. Clinton. But they only spent $15 Million of our tax dollars investigating 9/11/01. There is something wrong with this picture.

Unless something is proven beyond a shadow of a doubt that George W. Bush and/or Richard Cheney are implicit in Treason, Bribery, or other high Crimes and Misdemeanors it is my opinion that it would be a waste of time and money to prosecute them, individually or collectively. By all accounts they will have already served their terms by the time the final votes would be cast.

This is my opinion, and is not based on any love for this President and especially the Vice President.

But you make up your minds.

Only 3 Presidents in the History of the United States have had impeachment proceedings levied against them.

Andrew Johnson February 1868 Failed by one Vote

Richard Nixon June 1972 Nixon Resigned before the Votes were to be Cast

William J Clinton August 1998 Survived due to the Senate not achieving a two thirds majority.

Just Google "U.S. Constitution on Impeachment proceedings"

The United States Constitution states in Article II, Section 4: "The President, Vice President and all civil Officers of the United States, shall be removed from Office on Impeachment for, and Conviction of, Treason, Bribery, or other high Crimes and Misdemeanors."

Modern Impeachment Procedure:

• Impeachment resolutions made by members of the House of Representatives are turned over to the House Judiciary Committee which decides whether the resolution and its allegations of wrongdoing by the President merits a referral to the full House for a vote on launching a formal impeachment inquiry.
• The entire House of Representatives votes for or against a formal impeachment inquiry, needing only a simple majority (a single vote) for approval.
• If approved, the House Judiciary Committee conducts an investigation to determine (similar to a grand jury) if there is enough evidence to warrant articles of impeachment (indictments) against the President. The Committee then drafts articles of impeachment pertaining to specific charges supported by the evidence. The Committee votes on each article of impeachment, deciding whether to refer each article to the full House for a vote.
• If the House Judiciary Committee refers one or more articles of impeachment, the entire House of Representatives votes on whether the article(s) merit a trial in the Senate, needing only a simple majority for approval.
• If the full House approves at least one article of impeachment, the President is technically impeached and the matter is referred to the U.S. Senate. The House then appoints members of Congress to act as managers (prosecutors).
• The trial of the President is held in the Senate with the Chief Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court presiding. The President can be represented by anyone he chooses. He may appear personally or leave his defense in the hands of his lawyers.
• The entire Senate may conduct the trial or it or it may be delegated to a special committee which would report all the evidence to the full Senate.
• The actual trial is conducted in a courtroom-like proceeding including examination and cross-examination of witnesses. During questioning, Senators remain silent, directing all questions in writing to the Chief Justice.
• After hearing all of the evidence and closing arguments, the Senate deliberates behind closed doors then votes in open session on whether to convict or acquit the President. The vote to convict must be by a two thirds majority, or 67 Senators. If this occurs, the President is removed from office and is succeeded by the Vice President. The Senate's verdict is final and there is no right of appeal.