Monday, July 30, 2007

A Necessary Step

The impeachment of Alberto Gonzales is a necessary step for Congress to take. First, they cannot stand idly by and allow a Constitutional officer to perjure himself repeated before Congressional committees. Second, this step throws Executive Privilege out the window. For Bush to prevent that his aides from testifying during an impeachment investigation is Obstruction of Justice. I doubt even the Roberts Supreme Court would back Bush on that. Gonzales will resign before it comes to that.

It is vital that the Senate not recess during the remainder of Bush's term lest Bush uses that opportunity to make a Recess Appointment, replacing Gonzales with and even bigger sycophant. My guess is, if given the chance, Bush will replace Gonzales with Harriet Miers.

Coup prediction: I put the odds at 20 to 1 against that Bush will try to use Article II, Section 3 of the Constitution. It would require a twisted interpretation of the text (but he has done that before) and would be nothing short of declaring a dictatorship. Still, for the first time in my life I can't completely rule it out.
he may, on extraordinary Occasions, convene both Houses (of Congress), or either of them, and in Case of Disagreement between them, with Respect to the Time of Adjournment, he may adjourn them to such Time as he shall think proper

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