When Nancy Pelosi took impeachment "off the table" during the 2006 campaign, what was her justification? She said the most important reason to elect a Democratic majority was to give them "subpoena power."
Well We the People beat the unbeatable Bush-Rove political juggernaut, elected Democratic majorities, and made Pelosi the Speaker of the House. And then the Democratic chairs of the various committees started issuing subpoenas. And then White House counsel Fred Fielding told the Democrats (politely and very slowly) to go Cheney themselves.
So now Speaker Pelosi has to make a decision - whether to enforce those hard-earned Democratic subpoenas, or simply throw them into the trash can.
So which decision do you think Pelosi will make?
House Democratic leaders have decided to postpone a vote on a criminal contempt resolution against White House chief of staff Joshua Bolten and former White House counsel Harriet Miers for several weeks, and possibly longer, according to top lawmakers and aides...
Democrats had vowed to take up the issue when Congress returned from its August break, with Democratic leaders declaring that any failure to do so would undermine the ability of Congress to conduct its constitutionally mandated oversight role.
“Congress will act to preserve and protect our criminal justice system and to ensure appropriate congressional oversight in all areas essential to the well-being of the American people,” Pelosi said back then.
But Pelosi decided to delay a vote until at least late September, and possibly into October. Democrats said they are not yet ready for such a vote because they have not briefed lawmakers on what it would mean and how the controversy would play out, both legally and politically.
“I don’t think anything is going to happen on that for a while,” said House Democratic Caucus Chairman Rahm Emanuel (Ill.). “When you decide to do that, you have to make your best case. You want everyone to understand what’s happening and why.”
Emanuel said Pelosi and other top Democrats have not begun those consultations yet — and he was unsure when they would.
Conyers said it was critical for Congress to enforce its subpoenas against executive branch officials, including senior White House aides.
“Otherwise, we just become a [social] club,” Conyers said, adding that he would be reviewing the issue with Pelosi soon.
I really don't like to be critical of Democratic leaders, but Nancy Pelosi is making one catastrophic mistake after another. And when you try to figure out who's giving her such awful advice, it always seems to be House Democratic Caucus Chairman Rahm Emanuel.
Emanuel fancies himself as a really tough guy, but he's a pathetic joke. Remember how Emanuel was going to stop Dick Cheney's constitutional defiance by cutting off the funds for his office? Yeah, what a farce that was.
And now Emanuel says Democrats can't enforce their subpoenas because "You want everyone to understand what's happening and why."
What's happening and why? Hello?? George Bush committed innumerable crimes but he doesn't want to turn over the evidence or produce the witnesses because if he did he would be impeached, convicted, and then indicted and jailed for the rest of his worthless life. So instead of producing the witnesses and documents, he's telling Congress to go Cheney itself.
Is there a Democrat in Congress who doesn't understand that? What the hell does Emanuel think he needs to explain to them?
As of today I'm calling on Rahm Emanuel to resign his position as House Democratic Caucus Chairman, to be replaced by someone who will not run away with his tail between his legs whenever Dick Cheney growls.
It's time for a real tough guy (or gal) - someone with real combat experience with live artillery, not cloakroom backstabbing, which is the only form of "combat" Rahm Emanuel has ever seen.
With our Constitution in crisis, it's time to call in the Marines. Jack Murtha, your country needs you! Will you heed the call?
