For I'll go no more a Roving...

[jhetley]

Contrary to the spasms of joy seen elsewhere, I doubt muchly that the departure of Karl will mean a damn thing.  Nothing short of the impeachment and conviction of both Bush and Cheney on charges of treason* will help.  Even a clean sweep of the next elections will still leave their precedents and rulings in place.  Can you really see a Democratic president acting to diminish his own powers?

*Yes, Bill, I believe that the precise Constitutional definition applies.  If Iraq doesn't "aid and comfort" our enemies, I'd hate to see what would.

Comments

[wcg.livejournal.com]

I agree that Rove's departure at this point is pretty meaningless. As for the treason charge, it'd never fly in Congress where the proceedings would have to take place. Furthermore, Cheney is the president of the Senate, so he'd get to oversee his own impeachment trial. I think James Madison overlooked that little complication.

You're right about the very bad precedents set by this administration. I'm more concerned by the gross liberties taken with the office of the vice presidency than I am anything else, because I think those pose the greatest threat to the stability of the government.

[jhetley.livejournal.com]

Oh, I don't think impeachment is actually possible. Part of that is the basic fact that the Democrats expect to be in power in their turn, and to use those same powers for _their_ agenda.

As far as "treason" goes, if you use results to measure intent, you could construe the Iraq mess as a direct attack on the US military.

[slithytove.livejournal.com]

Can you really see a Democratic president acting to diminish his own powers?

No. I can see Gingrich doing it. But although I admire Newt, I wouldn't want to see him president. Jimmy Stewart for President. Newt for éminence grise.

[sclerotic-rings.livejournal.com]

You're probably right. This is purely an attempt to keep Rove's pasty ass from discovering whether he's a boar or a sow, because any further attempts to keep him out of jail are going to be spun as "flogging a dead horse". However, never assume that he isn't going to be running things from home: Karen Hughes quit, too, and that hasn't stopped her from continuing to further the Bush credo.