Until this week, I had thought impeachment would hamper Democrats' ability to move legislation through Congress and hurt their reelection chances.
But after the past session of Congress, and especially this past month's setbacks, the Democrats' ability to deal with the Republican Obstruction Machine has been shown to not exist.
Because of their misuse of most of the tools of the Executive branch, Bush-Cheney will only be held to account if Cheney is impeached.
It is clear that the misuse of executive power, and a compliant band of at least 41 Republican Senators, will not allow ANY SIGNIFICANT PROGRESS on Democratic policy initiatives. In fact, with a combination of signing statements, executive orders, and planting industry moles throughout the agencies before they leave, Cheney will be free to do additional extensive damage if he is not checked.
Impeachment proceedings will occupy his efforts. Discovery will provide greater knowledge about the damage that needs to be repaired starting January, 2009.
And politically, I cannot believe anything will be less politically advantageous for the Democrats than to face down this President for another year on his terms, and for which the Republicans will be able to portray a Democratic do-nothing Congress.
The Dems need to announce that it is their intention that impeachment of Cheney is the only way they can get the information they need to effectively hold the Administration to account, and to begin the repair that needs to restore the honesty and integrity of the federal government.
The Articles have already been drafted in many forms. The last item to add to the articles is Cheney's interference in the EPA's decision to deny an emissions waiver to California.
It is time for real and focused accountability, and to embark on a strategy to restore our Democracy. Only the Democratic leadership's embrace of the impeachment of Dick Cheney will aid their party and the nation in beginning to heal the wounds inflicted by Bush-Cheney.