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Poll: More Americans Favor Impeaching Bush

By Jeralyn, Section Other Politics
Posted on Wed Jan 25, 2006 at 11:00:51 AM EST
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While Republicans would have you believe the majority of Americans trust Bush to make appropriate decisions on his own to eavesdrop on our fellow citizens, the latest Zogby poll disagrees.

a poll released last week by Zogby International showed 52 percent of American adults thought Congress should consider impeaching Bush if he wiretapped U.S. citizens without court approval, including 59 percent of independents and 23 percent of Republicans. (The survey had a margin of error of 2.9 percentage points.)

Given those numbers, impeachment could become an issue in this fall's congressional elections, and dramatically raise the stakes. If Democrats win control of the House of Representatives, a leading proponent of starting an official impeachment inquiry, Rep. John Conyers, D-Mich., would become chairman of the House committee that could pursue it.

As of now, I favor working to take back the White House and Congress in 2006 and 2008 rather than expending energy on impeachment, but if this President keeps going the way he has been, that could change.

[hat tip Patriot Daily.]

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    • Poll: More Americans Favor Impeaching Bush | 33 comments (33 topical)
    Re: Poll: More Americans Favor Impeaching Bush (none / 0) (#1)
    by Fr33d0m on Wed Jan 25, 2006 at 11:45:09 AM EST
    Lets add what Kargo X said to that thought

    Re: Poll: More Americans Favor Impeaching Bush (none / 0) (#2)
    by roger on Wed Jan 25, 2006 at 11:45:58 AM EST
    What is there to wait for? W stole his office, committed war crimes, and then proceded to illegally wiretap americans. Maybe if he got a bj.......

    Re: Poll: More Americans Favor Impeaching Bush (none / 0) (#3)
    by roy on Wed Jan 25, 2006 at 11:56:07 AM EST
    As of now, I favor working to take back the White House and Congress in 2006 and 2008 rather than expending energy on impeachment...
    Congress doesn't have impeachment power in order to influence elections, they have it to uncover and punish crime. I still favor impeachment. Not to hurt Bush (unless the impeachment reveals that he broke the law), but to send a message to all politicians that they're not above the law. If you do something that looks a whole lot like a crime, and you don't reveal strong evidence that it's not a crime, you get formally charged and investigated and may go to trial. Just like we peons. Bush may need to learn that now, and I want Hillary and whoever else to know it for 2008. Plus, I bet the Daily Show coverage of an impeachment would be awesome.

    Re: Poll: More Americans Favor Impeaching Bush (none / 0) (#4)
    by chupetin on Wed Jan 25, 2006 at 12:27:30 PM EST
    Good luck in getting impeachment proceedings from a Republican dominated Congress that places party affiliation above country.

    Re: Poll: More Americans Favor Impeaching Bush (none / 0) (#5)
    by squeaky on Wed Jan 25, 2006 at 12:37:05 PM EST
    Chupetin-I agree. The house has to call for impeachment, and impeachment is not on the agenda. A famous Senator recently characterized the conditions in the House
    The House "has been run like a plantation, and you know what I'm talking about," said Clinton, D-N.Y. "It has been run in a way so that nobody with a contrary view has had a chance to present legislation, to make an argument, to be heard."
    Re: Poll: More Americans Favor Impeaching Bush (none / 0) (#6)
    by jimakaPPJ on Wed Jan 25, 2006 at 12:51:09 PM EST
    et al - The problem is this. The Zogby poll is incomplete and inaccurate. Indeed, you have to wonder if it is not pure politics being pursued here. Why? Because what Bush has admitted to having done, after careful legal research and discussions and briefing Congressional leaders, including the Senate Intelligence committee, is to tap calls from known/suspected terrorists outside the US to numbers within the US and from US numbers to known/suspected terrorists outside the US. That is not "domestic spying" by any stretch of the imagination and it is pure nonsense for Zogby to claim so by the wording of the poll. And it is far from "high crimes and misdemeanors." Now, if you want to challenge what he is actually doing, fine. Have at it. And if want to prove he is doing otherwise, fine. Have at it. But please, Mr. Zogby. Don't pee on my shoes and tell me you are doing it because my feet are on fire. I know better. And I sure know when you are playing partisan politics.

    Re: Poll: More Americans Favor Impeaching Bush (none / 0) (#7)
    by Edger on Wed Jan 25, 2006 at 01:27:46 PM EST
    Jim: et al - The problem is this. The Zogby poll is incomplete and inaccurate. Indeed, you have to wonder if it is not pure politics being pursued here. You appear here to attempt to cast doubt on Zogby's objectivity. Perhaps in the hope that "shooting the messenger" will discredit the message? It's an old tried and true, and worn out tactic of bushco supporters. As transparent as most of your worn out tactics. Sadly, repeating the same tactics while hoping for a different result is one defintion of insanity.
    Zogby International's polling reputation may be second only to that of the hallowed Gallup Organization, which makes having a Zogby Poll extremely desirable for advocacy groups across the political spectrum. For years, Zogby has been regularly exalted as "the nation's most accurate pollster," in the words of FOX's Bill O'Reilly Because Zogby works for both left and right, it's often assumed that he serves the causes of truth and objectivity. Unlike partisan pollsters, who are known for giving their own parties some padding in surveys, Zogby is generally invited on the air without anyone from the "other side" for balance. "I can't think of any pollster other than Zogby who regularly works for people on both sides and is touted by people on both sides," notes University of Virginia political analyst Larry Sabato. "That's quite an accomplishment.
    Re: Poll: More Americans Favor Impeaching Bush (none / 0) (#8)
    by Dadler on Wed Jan 25, 2006 at 01:43:12 PM EST
    Encouraging, but about as surprising as 4 out of 5 dentists surveyed recommend sugarless gum for their patients who chew gum. When the number climbs higher than 50 percent, I'll really start getting my chops on.

    Re: Poll: More Americans Favor Impeaching Bush (none / 0) (#9)
    by Dadler on Wed Jan 25, 2006 at 01:44:05 PM EST
    I should've said "significantly" higher than 50 percent.

    Re: Poll: More Americans Favor Impeaching Bush (none / 0) (#10)
    by roy on Wed Jan 25, 2006 at 01:54:29 PM EST
    Edger, The ad hominem attack on Zogby was only part of Jim's point. He mainly argued that the wording of the poll didn't accurately describe the situation. From Zogby's site, the actual question was:
    If President Bush wiretapped American citizens without the approval of a judge, do you agree or disagree that Congress should consider holding him accountable through impeachment?
    Which actually seems OK to me. Maybe something more explicit would be appropriate, like "If President Bush wiretapped non-US citizens outside US borders and recorded their calls to US citizens inside US borders...". But there's something to be said for brevity. As for reputations, the poll was commisioned by AfterDowningStreet.org, which is partisan.

    Re: Poll: More Americans Favor Impeaching Bush (none / 0) (#11)
    by jimakaPPJ on Wed Jan 25, 2006 at 02:11:37 PM EST
    edger - Appear? Attempt? No, I just noted that the poll is about something that hasn't happened. roy - Brevity is fine as long as it is accurate. The poll question posits something that has not happened. Thus it is not accurate. For example: If John has killed Paul, should he be executed? Since it has not been proven that John has killed Paul, the question is useless. And yes the group in question is left wing. And that is why Zogby should have excercised better judgement and not ran it. Doing the wrong thing for both sides is not a good argument for fairness.

    Re: Poll: More Americans Favor Impeaching Bush (none / 0) (#12)
    by Sailor on Wed Jan 25, 2006 at 03:27:27 PM EST
    The Zogby poll is incomplete and inaccurate.
    Nice allegation, now prove your point. (And please show work.) bush admitted he broke the law, violated the Constitution and insists he'll do it again. He also, with his signing statements, has shown he has no intention of following a law that congress has passed. What more does impeachment offenses consist of?

    Re: Poll: More Americans Favor Impeaching Bush (none / 0) (#13)
    by jimakaPPJ on Wed Jan 25, 2006 at 04:45:41 PM EST
    sailor - I have previously shown that the poll question is incomplete and misleading. What else do you need? And no, he did not break the law. He stated what he did. It is your opinion that his actions "broke the law." That is called a "difference of opinion."

    Re: Poll: More Americans Favor Impeaching Bush (none / 0) (#14)
    by jondee on Wed Jan 25, 2006 at 04:56:44 PM EST
    Of course, if we find out monkey boy is wiretaping peace groups(highly likely) along with the spying, you'll be the first one to condemn it wont you Jim? lol

    Re: Poll: More Americans Favor Impeaching Bush (none / 0) (#16)
    by desertswine on Wed Jan 25, 2006 at 07:08:25 PM EST
    Impeach him? Send him to the Hague.

    Re: Poll: More Americans Favor Impeaching Bush (none / 0) (#17)
    by jimakaPPJ on Wed Jan 25, 2006 at 08:09:57 PM EST
    jondee - The day you can prove that Bush has ordered a "peace" group to be wiretapped I will condemn the actions. scar - Flynt has his dictionary out trying to figure out the meaning of "is." He will be available later. ;-)

    Re: Poll: More Americans Favor Impeaching Bush (none / 0) (#18)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Wed Jan 25, 2006 at 10:00:44 PM EST
    The day you can prove that Bush has ordered a "peace" group to be wiretapped I will condemn the actions Does the NSA count?

    Re: Poll: More Americans Favor Impeaching Bush (none / 0) (#15)
    by scarshapedstar on Thu Jan 26, 2006 at 12:37:50 AM EST
    Not enough bl*wjobs yet. I wonder... *looks suspiciously at Condiliar* Where's Larry Flynt when you need him?

    Re: Poll: More Americans Favor Impeaching Bush (none / 0) (#19)
    by kdog on Thu Jan 26, 2006 at 03:43:33 PM EST
    Many think Bush broke the law. Bush thinks he didn't. Many think what Bush tells them to think.
    The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.
    The law says he did.

    Re: Poll: More Americans Favor Impeaching Bush (none / 0) (#20)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Thu Jan 26, 2006 at 04:45:00 PM EST
    Jim says: The day you can prove that Bush has ordered a "peace" group to be wiretapped I will condemn the actions Condemn away, Jim. And no, he did not break the law. He stated what he did. It is your opinion that his actions "broke the law." That is called a "difference of opinion." No: it is Bush's opinion (and yours, evidently) that he didn't break the law with his warrantless wiretapping. But the law says differently: the law says that to wiretap a US citizen you have to get a warrant. So the "difference of opinion" is between what Bush says and what the law says.

    Re: Poll: More Americans Favor Impeaching Bush (none / 0) (#21)
    by Edger on Thu Jan 26, 2006 at 04:58:10 PM EST
    The ACLU of Georgia released copies of government files on Wednesday that illustrate the extent to which the FBI, the DeKalb County Division of Homeland Security and other government agencies have gone to compile information on Georgians suspected of being threats simply for expressing controversial opinions. ... ...more than two dozen government surveillance photographs show 22-year-old Caitlin Childs of Atlanta, a strict vegetarian, and other vegans picketing against meat eating, in December 2003. They staged their protest outside a HoneyBaked Ham store on Buford Highway in DeKalb County. Good Gawd... Now it's terrist Vegans!

    Re: Poll: More Americans Favor Impeaching Bush (none / 0) (#22)
    by jimakaPPJ on Thu Jan 26, 2006 at 07:11:14 PM EST
    kdog - Here's that word again. UNREASONABLE Jesurgislac - I just scanned it, but I see no mention of listening to telphone conversations, nor do I see any evidence that the "spying" was done on private actions. Am I wrong? And no, it is between what Bush's lawyers say and what you say. edger - Here again, based on the information in your post, all of this was public information. How can "public" infromation be spied on?

    Re: Poll: More Americans Favor Impeaching Bush (none / 0) (#23)
    by Edger on Thu Jan 26, 2006 at 07:18:31 PM EST
    Guess it depends on what the meaning (or non-meaning) of was is. Or is was. Or goalpost is. Or was. Or if there was or is any meaning at all to anything you have to say. Or have said. Or pretend to say. Or will say.

    Re: Poll: More Americans Favor Impeaching Bush (none / 0) (#24)
    by Edger on Thu Jan 26, 2006 at 07:51:55 PM EST
    The day you can prove that Bush has ordered a "peace" group to be wiretapped I will condemn the actions. Threatened by shadows at night, and exposed in the light. Shine on you crazy diamond. Well you wore out your welcome with random precision, rode on the steel breeze. Come on you raver, you seer of visions, come on you painter, you piper, you prisoner, and shine...

    Re: Poll: More Americans Favor Impeaching Bush (none / 0) (#25)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Fri Jan 27, 2006 at 02:19:37 AM EST
    Jim: And no, it is between what Bush's lawyers say and what you say. No, Jim. The law says: You can't wiretap the phone calls of a US citizen without getting a warrant. That's the law, not my opinion. (Indeed, that's the US Constitution.) Bush's lawyers say the President's entitled to make any wiretaps he wants without bothering to get a warrant. That's against the law. To argue that this is just a matter of opinion is as absurd as arguing that the President is entitled to order a burglary.

    Re: Poll: More Americans Favor Impeaching Bush (none / 0) (#26)
    by jimakaPPJ on Fri Jan 27, 2006 at 06:50:50 AM EST
    Jesurgislac writes:
    Bush's lawyers say the President's entitled to make any wiretaps he wants without bothering to get a warrant
    Taping the telephone conversations between terrorists outside the country and who they are talking to inside the country is very "reasonable." And that is exactly Bush's claim. Read the transcript of yesterday's press conference. He said that two, maybe three times. It would be unreasonable to not do so. edger - Well, was it public or was it not?

    Re: Poll: More Americans Favor Impeaching Bush (none / 0) (#27)
    by Edger on Fri Jan 27, 2006 at 07:02:30 AM EST
    He said that two, maybe three times. I watch people on the train to work every morning, reading, with their lips moving, repeating things out loud, two, three, sometimes four, maybe even five times before they catch a clue what the words mean. I guess at only two, maybe three, bush is in what? The top 99 percent? Hey, not bad... 8-/

    Re: Poll: More Americans Favor Impeaching Bush (none / 0) (#28)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Fri Jan 27, 2006 at 07:20:16 AM EST
    According to an e-mail received today, ImpeachBush.org and VoteToImpeach.org are currently sponsoring an ad in the New York Times, which can be viewed here. See the related links on those sites.

    Re: Poll: More Americans Favor Impeaching Bush (none / 0) (#29)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Fri Jan 27, 2006 at 07:28:20 AM EST
    The current issue of The New York Review of Books (9 Feb. 2006), which just arrived a couple of days ago, includes the following: "On NSA Spying: A Letter to Congress."

    Re: Poll: More Americans Favor Impeaching Bush (none / 0) (#30)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Fri Jan 27, 2006 at 08:03:04 AM EST
    If NSA surveillance finds its way to the Supreme Court, and they determine that it is not legal, then Bush should do hard time, right? Right?

    Re: Poll: More Americans Favor Impeaching Bush (none / 0) (#31)
    by pigwiggle on Fri Jan 27, 2006 at 09:11:34 AM EST
    Jim- You are missing the big red flag here. If the president simply wanted to bug a few calls coming in or out of the US the FBI and FISA would be more than adequate; or even just the FBI sans FISA (legal or not). What the president did was ask the NSA to do it. The NSA produces the kind of technology that isn't used to spy on individual phone calls, but is rather used to filter millions and millions of calls. To surreptitiously plug into the telecommunications of other countries and simultaneously listen to hundreds of thousand of conversations for flagged words like 'jihad' and so forth. It's like taking an 18-wheeler for a beer run; plausible, but unlikely. I'm not buying it.

    Re: Poll: More Americans Favor Impeaching Bush (none / 0) (#32)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Fri Jan 27, 2006 at 10:58:26 AM EST
    Taping the telephone conversations between terrorists outside the country and who they are talking to inside the country is very "reasonable." And if it's so very "reasonable", warrants can (and must) be applied for. Up to 15 days after the wiretap, if necessary. And that is exactly Bush's claim. Read the transcript of yesterday's press conference. He said that two, maybe three times. Unfortunately, he did not explain why, if that's what he wanted to do, warrants were not applied for. It's very, very simple, Jim: the law says that anyone who wants to wiretap a conversation someone inside the US is having must have a warrant. To allow for times when a wiretap is genuinely urgent, the law permits applying for a warrant up to 15 days after the wiretap. But a warrant is required, or the action is illegal. Bush can keep saying he thinks it was "reasonable" to break the law: but no doubt, Nixon thought it only "reasonable" to break the law when he sent men to do a burglary.

    Re: Poll: More Americans Favor Impeaching Bush (none / 0) (#33)
    by Edger on Fri Jan 27, 2006 at 05:52:04 PM EST
    Bush can keep saying he thinks it was "reasonable" to break the law: but no doubt, Nixon thought it only "reasonable" to break the law when he sent men to do a burglary. Jesurgislac, Nixon was a truthless evil little crook to be sure, and we celebrated when he was forced to resign. I hope that Bush never gets off that easy though:
    To say this goofy child president is looking more and more like Richard Nixon in the summer of 1974 would be a flagrant insult to Nixon. Whoops! Did I say that? Is it even vaguely possible that some New Age Republican whore-beast of a false president could actually make Richard Nixon look like a Liberal?


    Poll: More Americans Favor Impeaching Bush | 33 comments (33 topical)