Hoyer on Impeachment: No Thoughts
Rep. Dennis Kucinich (D-Ohio) is back on with his plans to introduce articles of impeachment against Vice President Dick Cheney, scoring a symbolic victory for the anti-war liberals.
But, bad news for impeachment backers: as of now, it's not happening.
This is in no way a statement one way or the other about the validity of such charges, merely a reality check based on a run-in Capitol Briefing just had with House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-Md.), who is the man in charge of scheduling legislation for the House floor.
We caught up with Hoyer and showed him a copy of the press release announcing Kucinich's planned 5 p.m. presser to roll out the impeachment articles. [Check The Sleuth for the back-and-forth in that process.]
After explaining that Kucinich himself was hand delivering the releases to reporters in the Speaker's Lobby, just off the House floor, Hoyer was asked for his thoughts on the matter.
"My thought is, he was busily engaging in handing that out," Hoyer said, politely handing the impeachment release back to Capitol Briefing. "Beyond that, I don't have any thought about it."
Ouch.
Earlier in the day, a different reporter asked Hoyer about Kucinich's plan, prompting Hoyer to deflect the issue and say it was a matter for the Judiciary Committee. Then, he added that House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) wanted to focus on "substance", an apparent dismissal of the issue.
"Some time ago Speaker Pelosi indicated that what we need to do is focus on the substance of the issues at hand, and that's what we're going to do," Hoyer told reporters. "That's as far as I'm going to go."
By Paul Kane |
April 24, 2007; 4:45 PM ET
Dem. Leaders
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Posted by: Robert F. Stahl | April 24, 2007 6:26 PM
Eh, nobody pays any attention to what Dennis Kucinich does anyway.
Posted by: jt | April 24, 2007 6:37 PM
Democrats are todays heros, this criminal administration will be gone befor summer. I wish them success cause america needs this action
Posted by: jwh | April 24, 2007 8:55 PM
I now have more respect for Dennis Kucinich then any other member of congress. Finally, someone in our government displays the qualities that the founding fathers envisioned when they wrote The Constitution and created our representative democracy. Dennis Kucinich deserves the utmost respect of all god-fearing, freedom loving, true patriotic Americans and citizens of the world.
Posted by: Greg C. | April 24, 2007 10:13 PM
The Democrats are correct to focus on substance -- EXCEPT that the Deluder-in-Chief has veto power, and can block any legislation that is actually needed and worthwhile. I used to think that impeaching Bush and Cheney was simply a fun diversion from the real job that Congress has to do. But, if everything is going to get vetoed now, impeachment may be the only way for our nation to move forward. The George-and-Darth duo still have 21 months in office. :o[
Posted by: oldhonky | April 24, 2007 11:12 PM
Another circus to feed the Democratic rage, just a different clown doing it.
Posted by: John D. Froelich | April 24, 2007 11:48 PM
Steny Hoyer. Now there is a man of principle and courage! What is that duty that is top priority for members of Congress? To protect and defend the Constitution of the United States? Guess ole Steny didn't take that too seriously. Not to worry. Steny is busy doing things of substance. Like being a good little errand boy for Ms. Nancy. It's not bad enough that we have criminals like Bush and Cheney leading this country down a hell hole. We have to put up with Pelosi and Hoyer as our saviours from them. At least there is one person in Congress who understands what it means to protect and defend the Constitution of the United States. By the way, his name isn't Steny.
Posted by: Tom (for Impeachment) Krebsbach | April 25, 2007 2:00 AM
Pelosi wants to focus on substance? Let's see first she spends congressional time chatting with Joe Wilson and his lovely "covert?" wife Valerie Plame with a non story and then takes more time chatting with the Attorney General Gonzales about the Presidents LEGAL employment practices. And in between time she lets the hypocrite Albert Gore bloviate about "global warming" and hock his movie. It would have been better if congress stayed home...and saved on the electricity bill.
Ms Polosi, the social security scheme is financially upside down, illegals are invading our country and burdening the hospitals, schools and prisons, a whopping 30% of welfare money actually goes to the recipient, we have an archaic income tax system, etc...just for starters.
Oh by the way, the terrorists no longer have to infiltrate our government they have the Democrats. When the going gets tough the Dems tuck tale and run. So terrorists go out in the streets, shoot your guns and celebrate the Democrats are on your side.
As for Kucinich like many other Democrats, he just takes up space.
Posted by: Substance? | April 25, 2007 2:14 AM
By the way, chatting means trying to score political points.
Posted by: Substance? | April 25, 2007 2:17 AM
Buhs will be impeached.
When Republicans realize it is the only way to save thie r party they will be all for it.
After the November Elections it might not matter if the Repugs are with it or not.
The Dems will definitely pick up more seats. There are certain states at this time passing legislation for Impeachment.
Its just a matter of time.
Posted by: Langx | April 25, 2007 3:13 AM
Defeatocrats on their hate quest continue to spew venom and vitriol!
Posted by: DontbeaBabyKiller | April 25, 2007 3:27 AM
I find it interesting that the WP has front page articles on concussions of football players and food safety related to pet food, yet relegates the impeachment issue to two highly opinionated minor columns. Way to bury a news story, WP.
I long for the days when straight and serious reporting was actually expected of journalists and news media. We are as propagandized by the US media as the Soviets were by Pravda. But US propaganda is so much better, with that subtle marketing touch.
Posted by: Karen Russ | April 25, 2007 6:36 AM
I think he is more of a hero than McCain!
Posted by: Proud Dem | April 25, 2007 8:38 AM
It sounds like Kucinich got a few of his interns on Washingtonpost.com to make a few comments.
Langx, I'm sorry sweetheart, impeachment is not a matter for the states, it's for the big boys on capitol hill.
Bush and Cheney will not be impeached, if that saddens you I suggest you go have a good cry on your pillow, get it out of your system, and try to focus o nthings that actually matter.
Posted by: GMU Politico | April 25, 2007 9:52 AM
reading some of these comments it amazes me how far our countrymen have come from being a revolutionary idealists to a complacent criminal fear mongers. Impeach the VP sends a messages to the American people and the world that we are not
going to let America become Orwells 1984, This administration has reduced all foreign flags to their personal toilet paper and now the are doing the same to out own flags!
Posted by: Jeremy Opio | April 25, 2007 10:05 AM
I still wonder when Polosi is going to bring
Sandy Berger in for a chat with congress. He actually performed a criminal act that anybody else would be behind bars for years.
And maybe William Jefferson Democrat from Louisiana could follow. I guess chatting with them isn't scoring political points...darn.
Posted by: Substance? | April 25, 2007 10:14 AM
Which are you a foreigner, terrorist or just an extremist?
Posted by: Jeremy Opio | April 25, 2007 10:23 AM
Jeremy Opio are you a foreigner, terrorist or just an extremist?
Posted by: Substance? | April 25, 2007 10:26 AM
For those rightie mental midgets out there (you know who you are), it is obvious you don't even care what the evidence for impeachment against Cheney is. To you war-mongering pseudo-Christian Islamophobes, it's all a means to an end, right? Did Cheney lie, mislead, cherry-pick, and badger intelligence officials in order to sell an uncessary war? And is there copious evidence of this (on the record) compiled by Kucinich? Who CARES, right? You got to spill some Muslim blood in Iraq (regardless of whether it was completed unrelated to 911)so Cheney's ok by you - as are all the other GOP liars and enablers who should be tried for war crimes.
Your star has fallen, righties, and the American people are siding with the Democrats now. Stick a fork in yourselves - you're done.
Posted by: Uncle Sam | April 25, 2007 10:50 AM
CUT OFF THE SNAKES HEAD. SOUNDS LIKE A PLAN TO ME. USAF 66-72.
Posted by: KKB | April 25, 2007 11:21 AM
I have come to believe that Bush and Cheney SHOULD be impeached--for the good of the future of the U.S. With so many millions of Americans believing that Bush and Cheney deliberately mislead Congress and the American public into illegally invading a sovereign state, we NEED to put this administration on trial and determine if they acted illegally. Let's not leave the issue hanging. Impeach!
Posted by: Don | April 25, 2007 12:01 PM
In 2004, Kucinich was also a lone voice in the woods when he said the US needed to withdraw form Iraq, which the vast majority of thinking Americans has finally come around to accept. He must feel vindicated by this truth. If ever a VP and President deserved impeachment, it is Cheney and Bush. At this point of time, impeachment is the exclusive remedy available. I am baffled why Pelosi says she refuses to consider this remedy. I am sure she believes impeachment is justified; however, she is perhaps simply fearful that Dems would suffer the same political backlash that repubs suffered when they impeached (but failed to convict) Clinton. However, these situations are apples and oranges. Clinton's offense had no parallels with Bush and Cheneys' many, many crimes against this nation and humanity including their causing the unjustified deaths of hundreds of thousands of people through deliberate deceit. Many polls confirm that a high percentage of Americans support Kucinich's impeachment desires. And I support you Dennis. However, I am concerned that your refusal to recognize and confront the political realities in Congress and the media will only help to defeat your justified efforts and suggest that your honorable objectives are not supported by the many Americans who DO support such. You are easily marginalized as a fringe voice if you do not marshal your political resources better. And that's a real shame. For example, you should have announced your impeachment measure with thousands of people standing behind you; I am sure MoveOn.org would have supplied the warm bodies, along with many other groups. This would have changed the complete tenor of the news reporting.
Posted by: Patrick Henry | April 25, 2007 12:23 PM
All that want impeachment are arms of the terrorists or terrorists themselves. I want you to know that the terrorists are really pulling for you.
Posted by: Substance? | April 25, 2007 1:32 PM
Hey Steny! Don`t expect folks to send any more cash to the DNC until impeachment is back on the table. Oh, and GROW A PAIR!
Posted by: braultrl | April 25, 2007 2:00 PM
"No Thought Hoyer." Has a nice ring doesn't it? It's a pretty good description for all the Democratic "leadership" in congress for the last few years. Democratic party leaders failed to assert themselves in defense of country and Constitution and waited for citizens to point the way, Although the people have rejected Bush, Democrats like Hoyer still refuse to stand up. Maybe "No Guts Hoyer" is an even better appelation? So Pelosi wants to focus on substance. Now we know what the Democrats think about the Constitution and the rule of law.
Posted by: MMMiller | April 25, 2007 2:06 PM
"No Thought Hoyer." Has a nice ring doesn't it? It's a pretty good description for all the Democratic "leadership" in congress for the last few years. Democratic party leaders failed to assert themselves in defense of country and Constitution and waited for citizens to point the way, Although the people have rejected Bush, Democrats like Hoyer still refuse to stand up. Maybe "No Guts Hoyer" is an even better appelation? So Pelosi wants to focus on substance. Now we know what the Democrats think about the Constitution and the rule of law.
Posted by: Anonymous | April 25, 2007 2:48 PM
Q: How many House Democrats does it take to change a lightbulb?
A: changing lightbulbs is off the table.
Posted by: Ben Masel | April 25, 2007 3:16 PM
Why are these reporters counseling us not to impeach, and why should we listen to them?
Posted by: sean | April 25, 2007 3:58 PM
We dismiss Kucinich as delusional but I believe eventually historians will vindicate some of his extravagant calls for justice in the context of the political times we are living.
Posted by: Antonio | April 25, 2007 5:14 PM
What "high crimes and misdemeanors" has Cheney committed? He's never been under oath, so you can't get him from perjury. No charges on the accidental shooting of his friend. Unless and until someone finds a crime to stick him with, he and Bush are both safe from impeachment. Incompetence in the job isn't sufficient cause.
Posted by: dc law student | April 25, 2007 6:26 PM
Possible charges of being guilty of high crimes and misdemeanors committed by VP Cheney: 1. false pretense for the invasion of Iraq by falsely claiming that Saddam had WMDs. 2. ordering the outing of Valerie Blame by his chief of staff Scotter Libby. 3. conflict of interest in contracts to rebuild Iraq. The Founding Fathers left the high crimes and misdemeanors vague so Congress could have some leeway in the interpretation of charges. Republicans used this leeway while attempting to impeach former president Bill Clinton for perjury in a non-security issue matter.
Posted by: afam212 | April 25, 2007 11:17 PM
It is clear that Democrat House Majority
Leader And Madame Speaker AWOL Bush's
Co-President Damascus Nancy Pelosi Errand
Boy Democrat Flunky Gutless Punk is just
another typical Yellow Coward Democrat Hack
Just Like Nutty Nancy Pelosi And that both
Nancy Pelosi and Steny Hoyer plus Democrat
Senate Majority Leader Harmless Reid Are
As Out Of Touch With Reality As Liar in Chief George W Bush and Vice Liar Draft
Dodger Delusional Dirty Dick Cheney! What
Does Bush and Cheney and Karl Rove have on
Madame Pelosi,Steny Cockroach Hoyer and
Las Vegas Land Baron Harmless Harry Reid
that they are afraid to Impeach Bush and
Cheney? We need to bury them in Nasty E-mails,and angry telephone calls demanding
Impeachment of Bush and Cheney and Pelosi,
Cockroach Hoyer and Land Baron Reid Resign
From Congress in Shame and Disgrace for
Refusing To Do So! Vote All Incumbents Out
in 2008!
Posted by: Sherry Kay | April 26, 2007 1:25 AM
We all know how well Dicky Boy can handle a loaded gun. He should ask George to look down the barrel to see where the bullet comes out.
Posted by: Robert James | April 26, 2007 9:13 AM
Clinton was impeached for perjury in a civil lawsuit. That's a crime in any state. Misleading Congress when you're the VP isn't a crime, especially if it's lobbying. Lying isn't a crime unless you're under oath, which he wasn't. Or when you're testifying in front of a congressional committee, which he hasn't. Conflict of interest isn't a crime. Civil offense, maybe, but not a crime. Outing Valerie Plame may have been a crime, but Fitzy couldn't prove it enough to charge him. Cheney's slimy and incompetent, but I'm still looking for a crime.
Posted by: dc law student | April 26, 2007 11:55 AM
Bush and Cheney are dictators who strike fear into anyone who does not concur with them. Where is the democracy in this country? When will the bloodshed of our soldiers and innocent women and children of Iraq be stopped?
Posted by: Born in the USA | April 26, 2007 12:29 PM
if you were next in line for the presidency after cheney is impeached and after W cracks up, would you be pressing for impeachment?
she just has a talent for trying to be strategic, something way too complex for (R)'s.
it may or may not work. impeachment is an act of substance, IMHO
Posted by: py | April 26, 2007 8:59 PM
if you were next in line for the presidency after cheney is impeached and after W cracks up, would you be pressing for impeachment?
she just has a talent for trying to be strategic, something way too complex for (R)'s.
it may or may not work. impeachment is an act of substance, IMHO
Posted by: py | April 26, 2007 9:08 PM
Impeaching Cheney is a terrific idea. Since Bush is just a figurehead, getting rid of Cheney would send Bush to look for a new mentor. He could hardly do worse than Cheney -- now that Negroponte has disgraced himself. Kucinich is one smart guy. Too bad nobody is listening to him.
Posted by: Southern Girl | April 27, 2007 7:16 PM
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Stenny is absolutely right. Do not waste time on impeachment. Chaney is a great political issue for 2008. Keep the jerk in office, he kills himself by his own comments.