RNC says Democrats have an Impeachment Agenda - They do?

In the latest mailing from the RNC, Ken Melhman claims that Democrats "secret agenda" is to Impeach President Bush after the November elections. [On no, our dasdardly plan to return the "Rule of Law" to the Nation has been discovered!]

The word is out. Their position is clear. Last week, Sen. Russ Feingold floated a reckless plan to censure the President, and some Democrat leaders have ecstatically jumped on Feingold's bandwagon.

They have? Since when?

And, if they gain even more power in November, they won't stop there.

...31 House Democrats are calling for a committee to look into impeachment. Their leader? John Conyers, who would become House Judiciary Committee chairman under Democrat control.

The Democrats' plan for 2006? Take the House and Senate, and impeach the President. With our nation at war, is this the kind of Congress you want? [Money Pitch Edited Out]

<> What I have to say to this is, "Really now"? Because when I read the mailing from Democrats.org they say something completely different The DNC is certainly not waiting around for Democrats on the hill to gather up their torches and pitch forks and storm the White House... no. their focus is on the grass roots.

They want the American people to do the storming...

Impeachment Resolutions Sweep America!

From California to Vermont, from Wyoming to North Carolina, from New Hampshire to New Mexico, impeachment resolutions are sweeping America!

They are popping up in Town Meetings, City Councils, and Democratic Committees. And when they pass, they make headlines locally and even nationwide.
http://impeachpac.org/...

Let's turn this local activity into a nationwide grassroots movement! We've collected everything you need to know here:
http://pdamerica.org/...

On the issue of the Feingold Censure Resolution, the Dems in Congress aren't exactly jumping out of their seats with Joy and the DNC isn't exactly pulling punches about their behavior.

Support Feingold - Censure Bush - Stop Cowering!

It's been 10 days since Senator Russ Feingold (D-WI) introduced a resolution to censure George Bush for illegally wiretapping American citizens. Just two Democrats have joined him: Tom Harkin (D-IA) and Barbara Boxer (D-CA).

Polls show Americans support Feingold's censure by 48%-43% - including 29% of Republicans. Rightwinger Bill Kristol called it a smart move and says it helps Democrats. When the Republican Party ran attack ads against him in Wisconsin, Feingold got a standing ovation.

So why are the other 41 Democrats still cowering?

Technically I believe John Kerry has also expressed support for the Censure Resolution - so there are 3 Real Democrats in the Senate and 40 cowards.

If this language from the DNC sounds a lot like a DKos post, you haven't read the best part yet...

Call your Senators at 202-224-3121 and deliver a simple message:
"I urge you to support Senator Feingold's bill to censure George Bush."
And for Democratic Senators, add this:
"And stop cowering in fear of Republican thugs!"

If you have time, join Jane Hamsher in visiting the local office of your Senator:
http://www.firedoglake.com/...

Aye Carumba!, they're not asking for money or donations - which the RNC mailing does - they're asking people to get involved, call their Senator and go visit a blog!.

(Minor Tangent: I prefer calling the Capital Operator at 888-355-3588 - it's toll free and they'll connect you to anyone in the building. It's fast, easy and you don't have to keep a rolodex of Congressional Phone Numbers)

Oh and by the way -- it turns out that the RNC can't count.

33 Congress Members With Courage

Congressman Bob Filner from San Diego has signed onto H Res 635. There are now 33 Congress Members supporting Congressman John Conyers' bill to create an investigation into possible grounds for impeachment. Filner's name is not yet in the official list, because Congress is out of session this week, but Congressman Conyers' staff confirms that he has agreed to co-sponsor. Learn more and ask your representative to join the list:
http://www.afterdowningstreet.org/...

Again, no asking for money -- just asking for involvement. They even go so far as to include a link to a flyer, like an indie band trying to get people out to their latest gig.

Download the New Flyer from Afterdowningstreet.org.

Also in my mailbox I received a posting from Fact Check.org. The subject?

RNC Mischaracterized Feingold Censure Resolution

No, Really?

A GOP radio ad accuses Democratic Sen. Russ Feingold of Wisconsin of proposing to censure President Bush "for pursuing suspected members of al Qaeda," which isn't true. Feingold has stated he supports wiretapping suspected terrorists. His measure would censure Bush for ordering wiretaps on US soil without a court warrant, for failing to notify all members of the Senate and House intelligence committees, and for "efforts to mislead the American people" about the legality of the program.

...

When Feingold introduced his resolution to censure the president on March 13 he stated clearly on the Senate floor:

Feingold: No one questions -- no one questions -- whether the government should wiretap suspected terrorists. Of course we should and we can under the current law.

He also stated in a March 12 press release:

Feingold: This issue is not about whether the government should be wiretapping terrorists -- of course it should, and it can under present law.

The resolution would censure Bush for the way in which he ordered wiretaps, not for the wiretaps themselves. It would condemn him for "unlawful authorization of wiretaps of Americans within the United States without obtaining the court orders required " (emphasis added), and also for "failure to inform the full congressional intelligence committees," and for "his efforts to mislead the American people" about the legalities of the program.

...

Republicans hope to convince voters that Democrats intend to impeach the President if they gain control of Congress. Republican National Committee Chairman Ken Mehlman said March 20 on CNN's Situation Room: "the [impeachment] talk originally came up from a number of different people, including John Conyers, a gentlemen who if the Democrats took control, would be the chairman of the House Judiciary Committee. And what I think is important for people to understand is this is their agenda."

So this is their bold new strategy, grossly overstate Impeachment talk in Congress to scare the base into coughing up the cash - while the President has an approval rating that's been hovering in the mid-thirties ever since Katrina? (Bush's Currently at 36%- Newsweek 3/15)

Ya gotta be kidding me. But then again, maybe it's not so dumb after all.

Newsweek also polled several other questions which indicate that Mehlman may have a point to use this strategy :

• Support for Feingold's Censure Motion : 42%+ / 50%- with 8% unsure
  
• Is the Censure Resolution Simply Partisan or the Right thing to do: 53% Partisan/33% Right thing/14% Unsure
  
• Should Congress take action to Impeach? : 26%+ / 69%- / 5% Unsure

Some of these numbers may be soft now, but the more they complain about it, the more the issues from Katrina to the NSA Taping, the Scooter Libby Trial and revelations that our soldiers still aren't receiving proper armor and are losing their benefits, not to mention the War Crimes! the more it's likely these issues will stay in the public consciousness right into November.

More from the RNC Mailing...

Democrat leaders' talk of censure and impeachment isn't about the law or the President doing anything wrong. It's about the fact that Democrat leaders don't want America to fight the War on Terror with every tool in our arsenal. Your immediate action will send these reckless Democrats a message and help preserve our Republican majorities.

All they really want is preserve their Majority, period.

Do they actually continue to think banging on that old "Treason" drum is going to get out the vote with the Popularity of the War circling the drain?

• Bush's Handling of Iraq : 29% Approve / 65% Disapprove-
• Handling of Terrorism : 44% Approve / 50% Disapprove)
• Not only that, the National Security Gap between Republicans and Democrats has shunken to just 5 points (Rep 45% / Dem 41%), which is up from a 30 point split (Rep 51% / Dem 19%) in 2002.

One thing is certain, Feingold's measure seems to be having the effect of turning November into a Referendum on Bush, at least in the eyes of the RNC and Ken (I'll-be-out-the-closet-any-minute-now) Mehlman. If they decide to use a National Strategy that attempts to hold Congress by defending this President -- I for one say "Bring it On, Bitch!".

Vyan