c/o The Politico
Rep. Robert Wexler is still working towards getting hearings started for VP Dick Cheney. I don't think I'm violating any confidences to say that the support he's seen from the netroots has been really stunning to him. We have close to 200,000 signatures at WexlerWantsHearings.com and now he's looking for some of his fellow Congresspeople to join him in calling for hearings. Rep. Wexler sent this to C&L:
In our efforts to push for hearings on Kucinich's Articles of Impeachment for Dick Cheney, we have run into a number of different obstacles. Some of them , naturally, relate to the debate within my party as to the need for Impeachment and/or its effect on the agenda.
While I have been making my case for impeachment hearings to my colleagues (and will do so on the House floor this evening) and disagree with those opposing them, there is at least a rationale for the debate on either side.
The virtual media blackout, however, has no rationale. I am perplexed and dismayed at the fact that - with so much at stake - the mainstream media still largely continues to ignore this movement. Few papers in the country have reported on it. Few columnists have acknowledged it.
I understand that some in the media feel this movement will fail - but when three, and now four, Judiciary Committee members call for impeachment... that should at least warrant space at some point over four weeks.
Without public reaction, however, there is little incentive for the media to change its ways. I urge all of you to continue to put pressure on national and local media alike to give attention to this movement. The Netroots has been critical in the outreach effort. I hope that continues over the coming days.
If you haven't already signed on to www.WexlerWantsHearings.com, please do so.
Congressman Robert Wexler
Democrats.com has more:
In support of this action, PDA is asking that you make a phone call to your member of Congress on Wednesday, January 16 especially if your representative is a member of the House Judiciary Committee). Call the Capitol Switchboard at (202) 224-3121, and ask to speak to your Congress member (find your representative here). Tell them it is high time to hold Cheney accountable for his high crimes and misdemeanors.
A recent poll by the American Research Group, indicates that 54% of Americans want impeachment hearings to begin for Cheney, and 45% want hearings for Bush. That's an astounding number since Speaker Pelosi took impeachment off the table and the corporate media has refused to inform the electorate on this issue.
So please, make a call-(202) 224-3121--to your member of Congress on Wednesday January 16, and demand they uphold their sworn duty to uphold the Constitution and begin impeachment proceedings against Vice President Cheney--send them an email, too!
Wexler appeared on Thom Hartmann's show this morning (you can listen to the archives at the link) and a cogent point was made. I think many of us are frustrated by what we see as blatant law breaking and impatience for Congress (especially when Nancy Pelosi said that "impeachment was off the table"). However, there's a nuance that may be more palatable for gun-shy politicians who are insulated inside the DC bubble: tell them that you will support them in calling for hearings--not impeachment. Let the chips fall where they may. It's important to note that prior to the hearings of Nixon's Watergate scandal, the Republican majority and many Democrats all opposed impeachment. It was only during the discovery of the tapes during the hearings that it became untenable for the House to continue to protect Nixon. Certainly, it's not as satisfying in immediacy as many of us would like, but the process may ensure a more united Congress.
