(CrossPosted at NION)
Okay, we’ve all seen lots of opinions on strategy for the upcoming session of Congress. There’s been much debate on investigations, oversight and impeachment. If you read my previous diary you know where I stand.
One of the conclusions I’ve seen offered at dkos is that the Dems should simply focus on governing and legislating. This is often based on the argument that "the votes for impeachment aren’t there." More specifically, "the Democrats only have a thin majority so there’s no way there will be enough votes to impeach."
My assertion is that if this is true then it’s equally true that the Democrats don’t have enough votes to legislate effectively and in fact the Democrats will be unable to govern for the next two years unless they adopt oversight and investigation as the proper tools of governing they are.
Those who read my last diary know where I placed my bet. I think that with careful planning, perseverance and a bit of luck that "Investigations will lead to Bipartisan Impeachment and Resignation," and I outlined what I belive is a plausible scenario for it to happen.
But just for grins, let’s say I’m wrong. I still think oversight and investigations that lead to impeachment are a good idea.
As I see it, with the slim majority the Democrats have, the GOP has three weapons available to them.
The first one is to wage a vigorous opposition to proposed Democratic legislation in the congress. Being attack dogs and flame throwers is what the GOP excels at.
"For the next two years, I'm going to focus on putting the Democrats to the test and making them live up to their campaign promises."
"I've been called many things much worse than an attack dog.... I'm focused on keeping them (Democrats) accountable. And many times, that will be a fight.
"I'm not afraid of a fight, and I'm willing to step up and do what it takes to turn back this leftward tilt in the House."
Rep. Patrick McHenry (R) North Carolina
Bomb throwing tactics by themselves wouldn’t go very far, but the Republicans have two other powerful tools: the filibuster and the veto.
For their most important battles the GOP won't hesitate to make use of both of these. It almost makes you wish that the Democrats had said "go for it" when Bill Frist threatened to remove the filibuster in the last session congress. The GOP won’t be afraid to use both these options to effectively stymie the Democrats from passing any meaningful legislation. And if Lieberman switches over, they won't even need the fillibuster.
The GOP will then attempt to label this Democratic congress as a do-nothing congress when campaigning starts up. And yes, you and I know just how ironic this is given their record these last two years. But it’s a label that could easily stick. Voters have short memories.
So it would seem the Democrats are stuck. Oh if only they had some powerful weapon. If only they had some ace in their shoe. If only they had some smoking gun that showed what we all know to be true, that the GOP is a bunch of scum sucking criminals. Oh, if only.
Well, duh.
Oversight and investigation are together the smoking gun, my Democratic friends. This regime has been as corrupt an administration that has ever occupied the seat of power in Washington. They need oversight. They need investigation. And if I get to be right, oversight and investigation will lead to bipartisan impeachment and resignations.
But if I’m wrong, these hearings still serve a useful purpose. They put the administration and the rubber-stamp Republicans that enabled them on the defensive. Instead of leaving them free to carpet bomb and attack, we keep them busy and in the public eye trying to defend the dozens of crimes and frauds they have perpetrated upon he American people during the last six years. And believe me, if the tables were turned, the GOP would be all over this. Meanwhile, we have a better chance of governing effectively.
Investigations will lead to bipartisan impeachment and resignation. Or not.
Either one's a good thing.
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Update [2006-12-11 6:10:1 by BentLiberal]:: For an excellent historical piece on impeachment please see Unitary Moonbat's "Impeachment, Historically Speaking"