General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: They told Gore not to investigate the 2000 election for the good of the country.. [View all]Martin Eden
(12,864 posts)Serious impeachable offenses should be thoroughly and impartially investigated. If the evidence makes a very strong case for high crimes, then impeachment is warranted -- regardless if the opposition party refuses to do their duty for our country. This assumes a very strong case both legally and before the US voting public.
Failure to pursue the truth and to impeach when warranted is worse than failure to convict because it encourages more serious abuses of power in the future. The consequences of the Iraq War are far worse than what was anticipated in the short term political calculations of taking it "off the table."
Here's some speculation of my own:
Kerry would have won in 2004 if he had stood firmly against the Iraq War Resolution in October 2002 rather than voting for it.
Hillary's presidential prospects would have improved as well.
If the Democrats had taken a strong principled stand against the rush to war in Iraq they would have been proved right by subsequent events, much to their long term political benefit.
If noting else, impeachment in 2007 would have brought the war crimes of GW Bush and Dick Cheney before the public in much clearer focus -- to the long term detriment of the Republican Party, even if (or because) they voted along party lines in blocking a justified impeachment.