Impeachment is wrong.
Investigation is good.
Please note that based on the information available, I think Bush has probably broken numerous laws (e.g., warrantless wiretapping, authorizing torture, etc.) and I strongly believe that his view of Presidential authority is unconstitutional.
But the Republican's haven't run Congress for the last 12 years and the White House for the last 6 years by chance. They plan. They run their party like a business. They have everything from 72 hour plans up to 10 year plans (and probably longer.)
If we plan and we play this right, we can use the Democratic Majority in Congress to win a bigger majority in 2008 and to guarantee the White House in 2008.
But if talk about "impeachment" then we will fall right into a Republican trap. They are dying to run in 2008 arguing that they are going to protect the US while Democrats want to weaken our security and are just being obstructionists and playing partisan games.
If we do this right, by 2008 the public will be demanding impeachment.
Framing the Issue: Congress' Duty of Oversight
I am not a linguist and would appreciate hearing the insight of any linguists regarding the best way to frame this issue.
My goal would be to completely avoid the word "impeachment" from now till 2008.
But Congressional Democrats should initiate investigations into the Administration's activities regarding
* Negligence of Ignoring Warnings of 911 Attack
* Misleading Congress and the public on the basis for invading Iraq
* Authorizing NSA to violate Federal Law by bypassing warrants
* Authorizing CIA to run secret prisons where other agents performed torture on US detainees
* Failure to adhere to Constitutional requirements for speedy trials
Investigations are a part of their oversight responsibility.
I believe that the last elections were not only a referendum on Bush in general and the Iraq war in particular, but I think the public was also expressing concern about having a rubber stamp Congress that wasn't providing us with the appropriate checks and balances. The average American doesn't have the time or interest in making sure the President meets his duty under the Constitution. They fully expect Congress to do that.
"Strategic" Investigations: Timing is Everything
I don't think the Democrats beat Bush as much as Bush lost. For the last year, everything has gone wrong. Bush & Rove try to gain control of the Agenda, but reality kept getting in the way. There would be a negative Bush story for a week and then they would get something out there that would distract the media for a few days and then something else would go wrong.
We need that to happen again in 2007. But rather than relying on luck, the Democrats are going to have to plan for it.
They should plan to run these multiple investigations in a way that every week or every other week, there is something big to report. We need to control the news cycle every week next year. We need headlines that say Libby is a criminal. Cheney told Libby to be criminal. Bush knowingly violated wiretapping law. Bush knowingly allowed torture in violation of federal and international law. Bush failed to prosecute environmental cases -- he let big companies pollute our children's air and water. etc.
We don't want all the big stories to hit at once or even too close together. We want to stagger them so we control the news. Speaker Pelosi should always have a story in her hand like a card that she is ready to play.
Meanwhile, Back at the "Frame the Issue" Ranch
We control Congress and if we want to keep it we have to control the issues -- and the frame of the issues.
We know how the Republicans are framing the issues. It is our turn. We need simple frames and we need everyone to chant them.
Habeas Corpus Frame As an Example
For example, for the issue of habeas corpus, the Republicans don't explain what it means or why it is important. They say: "The Democrats want to give terrorists equal rights."
Well, even though that is not true. It makes us sound weak. To reinstate habeas corpus we need to focus on:
"America is the shining city on the hill and to remain that way we need to preserve the rule of law and our way of life as an example for all."
"Republicans are weak on terror. In 5 years they haven't convicted a single terrorist. Heck they haven't even tried anyone as a terrorist."
Bush and the Republican War in Iraq has created a training ground for terrorists.
Bush and the Republicans have made the world less safe.
I'm sure there are dozens more. We need a strong and simple statement for every issue.
By the End of 2007, the Public Will Be Demanding Impeachment
If we do this right, by this time next year the public will be demanding impeachment.
We need to be sure to not just incriminate Bush, but we need to incriminate the "Republican Party" and the "Conservative Agenda".
We already saw Republican's running from their own party label this last election. We need to keep them running. We need to make the words "Republican" and "Conservative" be loaded with negative connotations. Just like they succeeded at doing for 20 years with the word "liberal".
If we do it right, we could get voters to elect a bar of soap for President -- over any Republican. And we will also increase our majority not only in Congress, but in state legislatures and governorships around the Country.
UPDATE: In a comment below, Corey has made the point I am trying to make much better than I have been able to do:
Right now all we should be calling for is "oversight".
Once all the evidence sees the light of day I believe even a good portion of Republicans will be calling for Bush's impeachment.
We need to make sure this is both treated and perceived as a process mandated by the Constitution of our country and not a political act to destroy the President.
Thank you Corey.