Like many here I have been frustrated by the Democratic leadership's timidity in taking strong action against the Iraq war and on intitiating impeachment proceedings. I don't understand Pelosi's reluctance on getting out in front of an issue that the American people clearly support.
To be fair, I realize that the conservative chokehold on the main stream media gives any criticism of Democratic political moves a large podium and amplifier. But I also see the growing influence of blogs combined with a growing skepticism in large swaths of the electorate.
I believe that our continuing pressure on members of Congress does exert an influence and we need to keep it up even if we don't see immediate results. In that spirit I sent this email to Nancy Pelosi today:
Dear Speaker Pelosi:
You decision to "remove impeachment from the table" should receive your serious review at this point. I understand your initial decision that "more important issues" must take priority. The Iraq war with its atrocious cost of life and treasure certainly merits your attention. The health care and environmental crises also demand your attention.
Things have now changed. President Bush’s commutation of Libby’s prison sentence cannot be ignored. It is the most flagrant in a long string of actions by an administration that thumbs its nose at the rule of law. The president obstructed justice by protecting Libby and thereby preventing the implication of both the vice president and president.
As pressing as Iraq, health care, and the environment are, the rule of law and the sanctity of our Constitution take precedence over all else. The Constitution needs your protection and it needs it now.
I fear if you do not take clear strong leadership and take up impeachment proceedings in the House then this may be the last chance we have to uphold an American ideal.
I cannot ask you to ignore your political instincts. The American public, however, will richly reward bold leadership next year if you unequivocally take a strong stand now. The low poll ratings of Congress reflect the electorate’s disappointment with not using the power of the purse to stand up to Bush on Iraq. They perceive a Democratic party without a spine.
You can dispel that misperception by putting impeachment back on the table. Impeachment embodies the founder’s remedy for exactly what ails our system today. Now is exactly the place and time to use it. Whether it succeeds in ultimate removal from office does not matter. What matters is that you saw the importance and acted.
Your continued reluctance to use impeachment when it is clearly indicated will exact a political cost far beyond its risk.
Please reconsider. Now is not the time for political machinations; now is the time to lead. Impeachment is needed right now.