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July 17th, 2008 8:56 pm
Conyers to hold hearings on Bush presidency
By Deb Price / Detroit News
WASHINGTON -- Rep. John Conyers announced Thursday he will hold Judiciary Committee hearings next week on the "imperial" Bush presidency -- a step the Detroit Democrat's allies on the political left quickly trumpeted as "impeachment begins."
Conyers, however, was careful in his news releases not to use the word "impeachment," which House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and other House leaders have repeatedly said is off the table.
Instead, Conyers said the hearing next Friday will look at "credible allegations of serious misconduct" by Bush administration officials and "what many would describe as a radical view" of power.
"As chairman of the Judiciary Committee, I believe it is imperative that we pursue a comprehensive review commensurate to this constitutionally dangerous combination of circumstances. Next Friday's hearings will be an important part of that ongoing effort," Conyers said.
The White House did not return a call about the hearing. But Pelosi's spokeman said she supports Conyers.
"The speaker supports this hearing and appreciates Chairman Conyers' strong leadership to ensure proper oversight and accountability," said Pelosi spokesman Drew Hammill.
Rep. Dennis Kucinich of Ohio, who was a Democratic presidential candidate, has introduced 35 articles of impeachment against President Bush, largely around his handling of the Iraq war. On June 11, the U.S. House voted 251-166 to send Kucinich's bill to Conyers' committee in what was seen as way to kill it.
But Democracy.com -- one of several left-wing activist groups pushing for Bush's impeachment -- sent out an email before Conyers' announcement Thursday titled, "Impeachment begins July 25." The group, which did not respond to an interview request, urged impeachment supporters to attend the hearing.
"This is not yet a true impeachment hearing," the group wrote in a widely distributed email. "but it is our opportunity to push for one, and it represents a tremendous victory...."
Conyers has already held numerous hearings looking into whether Bush has overstepped his constitutional powers, leading two veteran political analysts to conclude that the hearings essentially will be a sideshow to appease the powerful left wing of the Democratic Party, which through the Internet has become a formidable mobilizing and fund-raising force.
Michael Franc, a political analyst at the Heritage Foundation, said the Internet-based left of the Democratic Party "can't be dismissed as the crazy uncle in the attic. They are a powerful force in Democratic politics."
But Franc said the Democratic left "tends to criminalize differences of opinion on policy, vision and the use of power." As a result, Franc said, Conyers' hearing -- part of a larger, continuing spotlight on the Bush White House -- could backfire if a Democrat is elected president.
David Bositis, a political analyst at the Joint Center for Economic and Political Studies, said "actual impeachment hearings could make voters sympathize with Bush at the very time his record-low poll ratings make him useful to Democrats in the upcoming high-stakes presidential and congressional elections.
"Bush serves a great use, because the Democrats are going to wrap George Bush around every Republican in the country," Bositis said. "Why risk a good thing?"
Conyers to hold hearings on Bush presidency
By Deb Price / Detroit News
WASHINGTON -- Rep. John Conyers announced Thursday he will hold Judiciary Committee hearings next week on the "imperial" Bush presidency -- a step the Detroit Democrat's allies on the political left quickly trumpeted as "impeachment begins."
Conyers, however, was careful in his news releases not to use the word "impeachment," which House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and other House leaders have repeatedly said is off the table.
Instead, Conyers said the hearing next Friday will look at "credible allegations of serious misconduct" by Bush administration officials and "what many would describe as a radical view" of power.
"As chairman of the Judiciary Committee, I believe it is imperative that we pursue a comprehensive review commensurate to this constitutionally dangerous combination of circumstances. Next Friday's hearings will be an important part of that ongoing effort," Conyers said.
The White House did not return a call about the hearing. But Pelosi's spokeman said she supports Conyers.
"The speaker supports this hearing and appreciates Chairman Conyers' strong leadership to ensure proper oversight and accountability," said Pelosi spokesman Drew Hammill.
Rep. Dennis Kucinich of Ohio, who was a Democratic presidential candidate, has introduced 35 articles of impeachment against President Bush, largely around his handling of the Iraq war. On June 11, the U.S. House voted 251-166 to send Kucinich's bill to Conyers' committee in what was seen as way to kill it.
But Democracy.com -- one of several left-wing activist groups pushing for Bush's impeachment -- sent out an email before Conyers' announcement Thursday titled, "Impeachment begins July 25." The group, which did not respond to an interview request, urged impeachment supporters to attend the hearing.
"This is not yet a true impeachment hearing," the group wrote in a widely distributed email. "but it is our opportunity to push for one, and it represents a tremendous victory...."
Conyers has already held numerous hearings looking into whether Bush has overstepped his constitutional powers, leading two veteran political analysts to conclude that the hearings essentially will be a sideshow to appease the powerful left wing of the Democratic Party, which through the Internet has become a formidable mobilizing and fund-raising force.
Michael Franc, a political analyst at the Heritage Foundation, said the Internet-based left of the Democratic Party "can't be dismissed as the crazy uncle in the attic. They are a powerful force in Democratic politics."
But Franc said the Democratic left "tends to criminalize differences of opinion on policy, vision and the use of power." As a result, Franc said, Conyers' hearing -- part of a larger, continuing spotlight on the Bush White House -- could backfire if a Democrat is elected president.
David Bositis, a political analyst at the Joint Center for Economic and Political Studies, said "actual impeachment hearings could make voters sympathize with Bush at the very time his record-low poll ratings make him useful to Democrats in the upcoming high-stakes presidential and congressional elections.
"Bush serves a great use, because the Democrats are going to wrap George Bush around every Republican in the country," Bositis said. "Why risk a good thing?"
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