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Rep. Dennis Kucinich (D-Ohio), a long-shot presidential candidate, plans to force the House to vote this week on whether to impeach Vice President Dick Cheney. If he pulls it off, it could make for an uncomfortable situation for Democratic leaders and centrist Democrats. Liberal activists are pushing for impeachment, while leaders worry such a move could turn off independent voters. They have made it clear that impeachment of Cheney or President Bush is off the table. Kucinich says he will offer a privileged resolution on Tuesday requiring House members to vote on what to do with the impeachment measure, which currently has 22 sponsors. When the motion is offered, it can either be passed, sent to a committee or killed with a “motion to table.” Sending it to committee avoids an immediate floor vote and might be the most appealing option to the Democratic leadership. The Kucinich campaign says “dozens” of supportive organizations will be lobbying House members on the resolution. The lawmaker is expected to offer more details Monday night in a conference call open to the public. His presidential campaign will provide additional details on its website. Kucinich is not the only candidate disparaging Cheney. During the weekend, Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) referred to the vice president as “a crazy uncle in the attic.” He was riffing on reports that he and Cheney are distantly related. Also, a new book by New York Daily News Bureau Chief Tom DeFrank said that former President Gerald Ford questioned whether Cheney should have been on the presidential ticket with Bush in 2004. |
