House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi pledged "just investigations, no impeachment," and doesn't even list the the NSA warrantless wiretapping as a specific targets of investigation, in talking to NBC Sunday. Nor, despite talking about investigating the use of intelligence in the lead-up to the invasion of Iraq, does she mention investigating leaks, i.e., the name of Valerie Plame.
Today on "Meet the Press," Pelosi pledged "just investigations, not impeachment" if they gain a majority after the November elections.
"I said we'd be having hearings on the war, we'd have hearings. But I don't see us going to a place of impeachment," (House Minority Leader Nancy) Pelosi said in an interview on NBC's Meet the Press.
Michigan Rep. John Conyers the senior Democrat on the House Judiciary Committee, has called for the creation of committee to recommend grounds for possible impeachment of Bush and Vice-President Dick Cheney.
But Pelosi said such a decision rests with her and the Democratic caucus.
"John Conyers is an enthusiastic advocate. I am the leader. Our caucus will decide where we go," she said.
Meanwhile, although she did temper her categorical denial of impeachment proceedings arising, she specifically did
NOT include Iraq or the NSA warrantless wiretapping among investigative hotpoints.
While she declined to rule out impeachment, Pelosi focused on investigations of the White House's energy task force and the prescription drug bill.
Sounds pretty timid from this point of view. And it sounds politically stupid to surrender arguments or campaign ideas without a fight.