Rep. Dennis Kucinich Introduces 35 Articles of Impeachment: Open Thread
By Nicole Belle Sunday Jun 08, 2008 9:15pm 
UPDATE: It's on CSPAN right now!
Download | play 
Download | play (h/t Dave and BillW)
Rep. Dennis Kucinich, a former Democratic presidential contender, said Monday he wants the House to consider a resolution to impeach President Bush. Speaker Nancy Pelosi consistently has said impeachment was "off the table."
Kucinich, D-Ohio, read his proposed impeachment language in a floor speech. He contended Bush deceived the nation and violated his oath of office in leading the country into the Iraq war.
Kucinich introduced a resolution last year to impeach Vice President Dick Cheney. That resolution was killed, but only after Republicans initially voted in favor of taking up the measure to force a debate.
I'm doubtful he'll get support of the House on this, but if you want to send an "Attaboy!" to Kucinich, contact him here.
Login or Register to post comments.
baby jesus loves Kucinich and Vincent Bugliosi
this guy has nuts
OH HELL YES!!!!!
wow .. about time !! bravo Dennis finally someone does the right thing !(there job)
It is sad that this will not happen, kudos Denny, up hill battles are never easy...........
The Democrats in congress need to concentrate on one thing and one thing only: winning on November 4th. Nonsensical stunts like this will only ensure a Republican victory.
Major media will ignore it, but D. Kucinich should put this on DVD..it will sell faster than a movie.
Lost in a sea of crime and deception, there is one buoy still broadcasting the beacon of truth and justice.
Thank you Congressman Kucinich.
Eric Cooper @ 6:
Balls. This is not a "stunt".
Good on him.
nice job dennis !!!!
Thanks to the fightin' 10th district of the great state of Ohio!
(sorry for the repeat, but this is the correct thread)
we are witness to the Goldfinger Gambit.
Wherefore the administration understands in truth as it is in purely speculative fiction, that disorder = profit and that the president’s personal and professional investments, would gain untold benefit by the political and military destabilization of the resources of his adversaries, thereby directly enhancing the value of his own and his investors’ own, would willfully and egregiously engage in activities to supplant competition and fairness with his own hierarchy of oligarchical encumbrance at the expense of the American people, that he is guilty of high crimes and treason against the American people and is subject to immediate arrest and fair trial.
Obama, the anointed one, is out pandering to evangelicals as we speak.
Kucinich, on the other hand, is doing something important.
He is ahead of his party and its' bought and paid for front man.
Eric Cooper @ 6:
The pursuit of justice is not a nonsensical stunt.
I know this may sound a bit farfetched, but what if Obama chose Kucinich for Veep?
As a long time Kucinich fan I wish people would take his ideas more seriously. His ideas on universal health care is the only idea that makes sense - as long as there is profit in health care there will never be universal coverage. Insurance companies can not make profit and cover everyone.
Unfortunately his Articles of Impeachment probably won't get much attention, but he's right here as well - Bush is a criminal and deserves to go to jail. If we don't set the president now, we never will.
Best of luck Dennis - May the gods be with you.
From the link provided.
Bob Fertik, President of Democrats.com, said: "We've waited seven years to find one Member of Congress brave enough to stand up for our Constitution, for which generations of Americans have fought and died. We are thrilled and honored that Dennis Kucinich has chosen to be that one genuine patriot. We congratulate him on his historic leadership, and pledge to do everything in our power to persuade Congress to adopt all 35 Articles and put George W. Bush on trial before the Senate of the United States, exactly as the Founding Fathers wanted."
I emailed Nancy Pelosi earlier this evening demanding the impeachment of Bush and Cheney. I'm sure that will make all the difference.
Not.
Impeach the bastard.
Since this such a 'no big deal....' event I'll help out. You can call the Queen of the House and give her some heat right here: (202) 225-0100
Let her know how you and a majority of American's feel about Impeachement.
In the words of Jimmy James "I love that little guy"
Dennis has done a fantastic job. When Bush talks about history being his judge, this is going to be one of the main reference points for the historians that review the record: this is the capsule. I don't think Dennis has any illusions about what he's doing. His contemporary summary is being posted for posterity.
Thirty five articles. Torture. Fraud. Rendition. War crimes. Obstruction. The Bill of Rights. The Constitution. International Law. He's throwing every book he can find.
come on...this is nice but it means nothing
despite the fact that the country hates the man, the guys in congress still back the criminal in the wh
and you gotta have the senate to make impeachment fly....wont happen
now, if we could catch the man with his penis in condi's mouth, that would be a different story
[Uncle Joe, one word - VISUALS! EWW! Sitemonitor]
Dennis Kucinich stands taller than any one else in Washington. One of the greats.
Now I might be too much of an optimist, or just a sucker, but I think I might have hope on this one. Looking back on the primaries with Clinton one word never came up(aside from Dennis) within the debates- impeachment. The Rethuglicans, however, would never have ignored that 800lb gorilla had Hillary been the nominee. I can't help but wonder if the real reason Pelosi pulled impeachment off the table was because the wife of the last impeached President was assumed to be the inevitable nominee. It simply would not have been possible for the Democrats to run Clinton AND have the impeachment process going on.
However, with Obama that burden is lifted, and infact, pursuing impeachment now, or even criminal charges will help fill the insatiable news void with the Democrats actually doing something and standing up for the rights of law. Congress goes after the criminals and Obama goes after the heir apparent to the familia. It could also put the entire GOP on their heels trying to save their own ass and not allowing them to focus on going after Obama.
Actually, the articles against Cheney are just sitting there in the Judiciary Committee waiting to be voted on. This with McClellan's testimony and the recently released Senate Intelligence report should be enough to get a hearing, some mention on the corporate media, some actual Republican member of Congress who believes in our constitution to stand up for the truth. Maybe about November 10, 2008.
Cindy Sheehan is running against Nancy Pelosi as an independent, because Pelosi won't hold impeachment trials.
I'm watching this right now. My girlfriend and I are going to D.C. in a few weeks and we would love to be able to shake Dennis's hand and thank him for all of his hard work. Does anyone know if there is any way we could do that? I may not live anywhere near Ohio's 10th district (or any other district in Ohio), but I think I might have to scrounge up some cash to donate to his reelection campaign. Randy, I would definitely get this on DVD or as a transcript if it would help send a few bucks to Dennis. Eric Cooper, I think getting all of this in the record might be useful in reminding Americans of why they don't want McCain to give us a third Bush term.
Dennis Kucinich is one of our greatest citizens. Thank you for speaking truth!
Typically White and Bitter Agent Hussein Provocateur @ 24:
You do have a good point. If Hillary were to be the presumptive nominee, going for Impeachment against Bush would seem to appear as an act of revenge for what the Repukes did to Bill when they had the Congress.
However, the difference between this and Bill, was that Bill was just bein stupid. I mean, lying about that? To Congress? Especially when the opposite party has the reigns?? Cmon!!
Bush had a Puke majority for 6 years and was not exactly counting on the Dems taking back the House and barely the Senate. Therefore, he enveloped himself into a false sense of security. This is because he did not believe the people would not have the guts to go against him, after all, a vote not for a republican is a vote for the terrorists!!
But over those 6 years Americans became wise. And now those people want action.
If congressional Democrats had their heads on straight, they could Impeach Bush THIS WEEK... put him on trial NEXT WEEK... and have plenty of time to support Obama in the General Election later in the year. There is NO REASON that an impeachment would have to go on for months.
Thrillhouse @ 27:
Shake his hand for me too. I bet if you call his office and say you'd like to shake his hand, and why, and he's in town at the time, you'll be able to.
(Article 22: creating secret laws. YOW!)
For it to happen, you have to believe it will happen. Belief is contagious. As is pessimism. Remove all doubt from you mind.
He's on article 22 right now. Brilliant move doing this now in prime time and as Israel is begging Bush to neuter Iran.
Yay! I love Dennis Kucinich (and that goes double for Russ Feingold). It takes a lot of courage for him to do this and I thank him from the bottom of my heart for this act. At least he had the guts to bring these charges forward when a lot of others would rather cower and hide in their offices.
I know that he has an uphill battle, but I hope that the grass roots campaign to impeach Bush grows large enough so that the Congress cannot ignore the will of the people.
THANK YOU DENNIS KUCINICH!!!!
Having so many thousands of soldiers fighting away from home, it is so amazingly undescribable to know we have at least "ONE" not afraid to face the opposition. The one I speak of is Mr. Dennis Kucinich of Ohio.
It is a shame that our elected representatives won't take a stand in an air-conditioned building..heck not even in the line of fire as our many brave soldiers do EVERYDAY.
It is also a shame they fear ridicule from the GOP, loss of status in government, rejection by fellow Democrats, and maybe their constituents if they support Mr. Kucinich's resolutions of IMPEACHMENT against cheney and gw. What they fail to realize is that they should rather face that in doing the RIGHT thing, since our brave men and women face death on a daily basis for their right to SAY AND DO THE RIGHT THING.
Which is easier...Facing down the GOP to impeach cheney and gw or facing down bullets and bombs. At least with the former you can walk away and go home, find another job. But the latter, you pray you live to see another day and return home.
Mr. DENNIS KUCINICH-DEMOCRAT from OHIO is the bravest of our "at home" soldiers fighting for the United States of America and its citizens!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
If you haven't yet signed up, do so today!
http://wexlerwantshearings.com/
As I posted at another site on a thread dealing with the same topic...don't start turning cartwheels just yet, folks. Let’s remember that the vote to impeach the President and the vote to remove him from office are not one and the same. The Republican-majority 105th Congress, after all, succeeded in impeaching Clinton but failed to gather enough votes in order to remove him from office.
As much as I hate to say it, I very much doubt that Bush will be removed from office even if he is successfully impeached (and given how spineless and wishy-washy the majority of Democratic Congresscritters have shown themselves to be, even that is by no means guaranteed). Let’s remember that even if the House succeeds in impeaching Bush, the next step would involve trial by the Senate — led by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court (Roberts), the Vice President in his capacity as President of the Senate (Cheney), or the President pro tempore (Byrd). It seems highly unlikely that Byrd would be permitted to preside at the trial — and does anyone seriously think that there’s even a remote chance of Bush being removed from office by a two-third majority in the Senate, let alone in a trial presided over by either Cheney or Roberts?!? Surely you jest. If you believe that, as luck would have it, there’s this bridge across the East River here in New York City which I happen to know is being put up for sale at a very reasonable price e’en as we speak…
I Like Pie @ 352:
WHO ASKED NANCY? Why did she take this stand? That is a pretty bold stance, considering how many laws they have broken, constitutional, and International....No One expected her to take this stand, it makes no sense. She has some skeletons to hide .......................
Question: The president residing behind the gavel had a list of Congressional house members declaring themselves "abscent". Does that have anything to do with Kucinich's resolution and if so, what was their point? Their names were read out loud after Kucinich's floor speach.
Kucinich is the tallest person in the House.
I'm so glad I voted for him.
ANOTHER HISTORICAL MOMENT THAT WILL NOT GET ANY MEDIA ATTENTION.
Mr. Dennis Kucinich-Democrat from Ohio stood alone to fight here at home for us....I commend him on his tenacity, vigilance and consistency. He went after both, cheney and gw, steadfastly and with dignity. It may not be voted on, but he was brave enough to speak what so many of us needed to hear AND from where we needed to hear it.
I watched and listened to him read ALL 35 articles of IMPEACHMENT.
MR. DENNIS KUCINICH DID NOT FALTER AND HE DID NOT WAVER.
GO DENNIS!!! We've got your back - and what a great solid spine it is! At least someone in congress believes in justice for the American public. Thank you, Dennis, for once again fighting the good fight for us. Let's hope this lame congress comes to its senses at last. Having known criminals occupying the White House is as unacceptable now as it was in 2003, when the Iraq occupation was shoved down our throats. Are you listening, 'democratic' reps. Larsen, Baird, Dicks, Pelosi, etc., etc. ???
Bluestocking @ 357:
Listen.
I don't care if this succeeds as much as somebody, WE AMERICANS, stood up against what king georgie iv has done. We need to show a record that somebody gave a damn. We need to SHAME those who would continue to support this obscene administration and that it will not go unchallenged. The are indictments. We know that.
Here is a link to a petition supporting Dennis:
http://www.democrats.com/35-articles-of-impeachment
meohmy @ 361:
It got your attention and it got my attention. It is approaching 400 comments here and as many have pointed out it is hitting the wires. Talk it up and get people interested. Instead of cursing the darkness light a candle.
If he don't have the backing of John Conyers and Nancy Pelosi; Kucinich is staging a dog & pony show.
L.A. Confidential @ 200:
Look away, then. It'll give us all a needed break.
Nancy Pelosi put impeachment off the table and we figure out that she became complicit with approving of the torture bill and saw first hand the torture method. Because of her involvement, I believe her willingness to impeach have been marred by her involvement in crime against civil rights. She is the bottleneck of the justice system for impeachment. She would be the person to lean on heavily in this case for massive protest.
This would be why he has a total babe for a wife. He makes the rest of Congress look like fleas.
nancy pelosi needs to recuse herself from her role of residing as speaker of the house, due to CONflict of interests!
I forgot to mention that Nancy Pelosi is also connected with the telecommunication bill for immunity for the telecom. She has also been complicit with knowingly approve the rights to spy on Americans. I'm telling you that attention should be focus on her lack of response of doing her duty.
" 365 orca Says: If he don’t have the backing of John Conyers and Nancy Pelosi; Kucinich is staging a dog & pony show. "
Wrong analogy. Kucinich has presented clear justification to open investigations. If those investigations lead to crimes/high crimes. Then and only then will impeachment be a reasonably justified response.
Dog and Pony show is what McCain and Lindsey Graham went on in the Iraq market that had the blackhawk choppers and others , anll the extra troop presence, and the previous days of sterilization of that area. Not to mention the complete control of traffic and people the entire time. Because there was a car bomb that blew up and killed some people the very next day after Mccain left.
Now Kucinich may not get the support necessary to further his proposal of impeachment. It doesn't have to be Pelosi. Even Pelosi can't stop a large majority even on this issue if it existed. The votes of the republicans are needed to have any follow through of impeachment. The Democratic majority is simply not sizably forceful enough with its numbers of majority. Sure, the investigations should take place. Yet if crimes were determined and the House of Reps had to vote on punishment. A larger majority is required for Congress to issue that justice.
And we haven't even began the Senates participation in this with their slimmer majority.
I, as I think you might, believe holding crimes punishable is required. But to go through all of it and end with no responibility sentenced. A foolish partisanship display would be percieved. If it is done, It has to be with investigations, determinations of crimes, and appropriate punishment. Otherwise, the Dems will lose the House and perhaps the Senate indeed.
I know, I know..................................................
Pelosi must comply with the law and support this drive to hold Bush and Cheney accountable for high crimes. By talking impeachment off the table Pelosi is in violation of her oath of office and has involved herself in obstruction of justice and subversion. All criminals in the BUsh administration and otherwise must be held responsible for the deaths of over 4,000 of our service men and women ... they lied and invaded a country because they wanted to. The used propaganda and to sell their lies and they must face justice. Under no circumstances should any of them be allowed to live out their lives in privilege.
http://speaker.house.gov/contact/
Just go to google news
United Press International
Rep. Kucinich calls for Bush impeachment
Reuters - 3 hours ago
By JoAnne Allen WASHINGTON, June 9 (Reuters) - Democratic Rep. Dennis Kucinich defied his party leadership on Monday by calling for the impeachment of US President George W. Bush for launching the Iraq war -- but his move was not expected to go ...
Kucinich introduces impeachment resolution United Press International
Kucinich Reads Impeachment Articles Against Bush on House Floor Salem-News.Com
Baltimore Sun - The Associated Press - The Plain Dealer - cleveland.com - Swampland
all 2,183 news articles »
Its early yet...
g.mojoblue @ 363:
I never said that Kucinich should not be doing this, nor was it my intention to imply that. I agree wholeheartedly that someone needs to stand up to George W. Bush on behalf of the American people, even if only on principle. Unfortunately, this doesn't change the fact that the only impact it is likely to have -- if it succeeds -- is that George W. Bush will leave office at the end of his second term with an indelible stain on both his name and his Presidency...which, considering all the shenanigans he has and will have successfully gotten away with, doesn't even amount to a slap on the wrist in the scheme of things. In fact, if Kucinich is unsuccessful in his efforts to get the House to impeach Bush, I think the potential exists for this to backfire on the Democrats (although considering how passive and spineless and self-serving some of them have chosen to be instead of doing what they're supposed to do, one could argue that they have it coming to them for the dereliction of their duty to the American people). If the current House should find itself unable to succeed in doing what the 105th Congress was able to do -- namely, obtain a majority vote supporting the articles of impeachment against the President -- in spite of the fact that the charges against George W. Bush are considerably more serious than those leveled against Clinton, then I don't see that this puts the House Democrats in a very good light considering the fact that they hold the majority.
We will never be able to impeach these criminals since we simply don't have enough democrats in the senate. I'm more concerned about prosecuting these people after the congressional/presidential elections this fall.
Justice will be served.
Kucinich rocks. He is a true patriot.
Congressman deserves the respect and support of the AMERICAN PEOPLE.
He consistently fought for AMERICA even when there were those that has turn their back on him. He has been unrelentless in his mission of defending and preserving the US Constitution and the rule of LAW. He is ONE courageous Congress that WE AS AMERICAN should be proud to have on OUR SIDE. He has pave the way to bringing attention to the LAWLESSNESS of the BUSH/CHENEY Regime and their COHORTS.
OPEN YOUR EYES AMERICA..........allowing these criminals get away with murder and perjury is giving carte blanche and unprecedented power to existing and future criminals to infiltrate our Government and ultimately in every aspect of our lives.
The MESSAGE this administration and current congressional leadership IS CRIME PAYS. This IS the WRONG MESSAGE that is being put out there to our children; future leaders; and mostly to those who are currently committing CRIMINAL ACTS.
IT is time to RALLY with Congressman Kucinich in the fight for ACCOUNTABILITY.
IF AMERICA will NOT HOLD these CRIMINALS accountable........INTERNATIONAL COURT MUST do it's ROLE. If WE ARE to be ONE WORLD ORDER in and decide to succeed in GLOBALIZATION........THE PEOPLE OF THE WORLD MUST STAND UNITED AGAINST ALL CRIMES.
.
What Kucinich said!
.
Bluestocking @ 374:
The problem is you give Democratic party no options. You accuse them of not having a spine: "one could argue that they have it coming to them for the dereliction of their duty to the American people" but then say: "in fact, if Kucinich is unsuccessful in his efforts to get the House to impeach Bush, I think the potential exists for this to backfire on the Democrats".
So my obvious conclusion for your argument would be to do what most Democrats are doing. Nothing. Damned if they do and damned if they don't. The FACTS. That's all I care about. The record. The facts are out there and in plain view and it is up to us to make sure the White House stenographer Corps (The "LiBeRaL" media) do REAL reporting. Then MAYBE...
Why do you think congress has an approval rating below Bush and yet we see a Democratic landslide this November?
Ron @ 211:
Kucinich is analogous to "Great American".
Everyone knows this will go nowhere, including DK, yet it is important the public be made aware that Bush and Cheney have committed treason to help the oil companies and war contractors make trillions, though readers here are aware, most Americans, probably 75%, still don't know what's going on...the corporate entertainment media is keeping them dumbed down so even though this is just a gesture to make a zombie public more aware at least it's that, every little bit helps...keep going Dennis America needs you!
I agree with a comment above that Bush and Cheney, Wolfowitz, Feith, Rice, Bolten and a few others should be put on trial in an international court for war crimes and crimes against humanity...probably the most guilty are all those who attended Cheney's secret energy task force meeting...these are the real criminals...until we put CEOs of war corporations and oil corporations in jail for war crimes and crimes against humanity this stuff will continue, politicians just act as a buffer for them, though they're supposed to be elected by the people to protect us from corporate criminal activity.
Drive-by (luv it that there's nearly 400 comments but can't read 'em all and gotta go).
Yesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyes. Getting the nazis out is fine, but the collaborators should not be forgotten nor given the power. Nancy, there's a Cindy waiting for your spot. You cannot be forgiven for covering for George W. Bush. He is a war criminal and you are far more than his enabler. Remove Pelosi; impeach Bush; convict and remove Bush; indict; convict; and hang the war criminals. Yes, hang them. I may be against the death penalty, but W isn't. Pelosi might be, but her first priority appears to have been protecting Bush.
It's sad more people arn't behind him.
I have long been waiting for this day of impeachment, years in fact. What a pleasant surprise to hear the articles read so carefully, and awesome timing with Bush out of the country, Obama rising, and corruption worsening in the ME. You the man Dennis!
At the very least Dennis is proving to non-Americans that we all can't be thrown into the Greedy Neo-Colonial Military-Industrial IllumiNazi bag! Genuine and progressive in Washington- I like it.
Kucinich is recreating Groundhog Day. Last November he introduced a resolution to impeach Dick Cheney. Republicans called his bluff and voted unanimously for the resolution. As soon as House Dems realized they would be forced go on the record and vote to impeach the Vice President in a time of war, they turned tail and ran like a bunch of scared jackrabbits. Kucinich is pulling the same stunt again; this time with George Bush. Neither the Republicans, the news media, Nancy Pelosi, John Conyers, nor the American public will fall for the same scam again. This impeachment nonsense is going nowhere. It's nothing but political grandstanding horsecrap.
finally
Good for Kucinich! Even though there is no hope of a conviction I think the articles of impeachment should be adopted. I am also impressed with Conyers. I honestly believe he is waiting until Bush is out of office to haul Rove in before Congress. Once the scumbag-in-chief is out of office he can't pardon anyone. Say buh bye to your freedom, Rove!
CowboyBob in Austin @ 30:
No they have to drag it out up til the general. During impeachment hearings I don't think Bush can pardon anyone.
It will sit in Conyer's file cabinet like the articles he did on cheney.
At least it is on record but it will go nowhere.
Remember in the debates when Tim Russert (or, more likely, one of his lackey staff) had dug up that "flying saucer" detail from the Shirley MacLaine book and brought it up during the debate to try to humiliate and discredit Dennis? Russert (he of the noble bluecollar father) is a lowly, creepy worm. Dennis is a mensch.
Since impeacment doesn't stand any chance as long as we only has a one vote majority in the Senate perhaps it's better to wait until January, after we've gotten a far stronger majority, then charge Bush with war crimes and drag him before a tribunal. Honest, we'll give him all the same rights that he's givien to the prisoners at gitmo.
Uncle Joe Hussein Mccarthy @ 23:
You don't "need the senate" to impeach... you need the senate to conduct the trial. It's the responsibility of the House to IMPEACH. What the hell are they waiting for?
Ha ha ha. Uh Dennis, the time for impeachment was several years ago.
so far he is the second democrat to issue impeachment articles. mckinney was the first. it's too bad their are so few to do what is right.
I absolutely agree with Kucinich but unfortunately with Pelosi as the Speaker the thing will not get a vote in the House. Even some right wingers are saying that Bush and his cronies should not be allowed to walk away from their CRIMES.
God I wish this guy had gotten the dem nomination, would of been the first time I voted for a democrat.
He said War Crimes on TV !
orca @ 388:
This isn't some sort of "scam", nor is it political grandstanding, nor is Kucinich bluffing.
Kucinich is doing what any good congressman (nay, what every congressman) should be doing right now. It's not his fault the party leadership is comprised of cowards.
Is it time to impeach Pelosi and Reid for failing to protect the US form Bush and the Constitution.
langx @ 390: