Interesting Impeachment Theory

[heyjt]

Late yesterday on the Ed Shultz radio show a caller made a brilliant point:<br> If The Dem's take back the House, they will likely begin the impeachment process. <br> In the month of December, before the House officially changes in January, the Republicans themselves will call for a vote on impeachment. They will vote it down and close the issue. If the caller was correct, the Dem's cannot follow up and impeach Bush because it would be "double jepordy".<br> I can't imagine what public reaction to this would be.<br>OK you fine minds out there-- Is this even procedurely possible? <p></p><i></i>

[chiggerbit]

Well, first of all, I doubt that even with a House majority whether the Dems would have the guts to do it. Heck, they can't even agree to censor the turd. So, if the Repugs went ahead with that plan, assuming that that's what the Dem's would do, they would be shooting themselves in the foot. It would make the fence-sitter voting public think that if there's smoke there's fire. OR alternatively, the Repubs would look manipulative. <p></p><i></i>

[sunny]

Impeachment is only the indictment phase; if he is impeached or "indicted" he goes on the Senate to be tried. <br>Accused criminals are sometimes brought before a grand jury more than once on the same charges; if the gj fails to indict the first time, prosecutors may bring the indictment again if additional evidence is forthcoming.<br>I'm not sure, but I doubt criminal procedures are relevent in the case of Impeachment, as this is a political solution to abuses of power. A president is not immune from criminal prosecution once he has been impeached and convicted. <p></p><i></i>

[sunny]

I should have said "if he is impeached in the House" he goes on the the Senate to be tried.<br><br>Also I should have said that at least the <!--EZCODE ITALIC START--><em>forms</em><!--EZCODE ITALIC END--> of criminal procedure are adhered to, but I doubt double jeopardy could be argued for re-impeachment.<br><br>The Rethugs couldn't get away with innoculating Bush like this because they wouldn't have time between November and January to bring the case before the Senate before the hypothetical Dem majority took office. <p></p><i></i>

[steve vegas]

never gonna happen...we're stuck w/georgie boy until the bitter end... <p></p><i></i>

[greencrow0]

I tend to agree with Steve.<br><br>The Washington political scene is hopelessly compromised...along with the judicial and military arms of the government.<br><br>I don't even think a Democratic majority will arise from the voting next November...what with the cabal's ability to fraud the vote. <p></p><i></i>

[Homeless Halo]

Hypothetically possible.<br><br>Of course, all of this assumes that even winning ALL the elections would get the Dems in power, and history doesn't seem to strongly support this assumption. <p></p><i></i>