Has Obama committed any "Impeachable Offenses"?

Great Debates
1

I live in the Red State of Texas, and I have seen some bumper stickers saying “Impeach Obama!” Now, I’m sure the guy who had it on his rusty pickup next the sticker of Calvin peeing on a Ford logo did not put much thought into the legal implications of his statement. I guess he is just saying he hates Obama.

That’s all fine and good. People can have their views that they do not like someone for ideological reasons. I’m too old to worry about what the masses think. Hell, I’ve given up on humanity as a whole.

But still, I cannot help bu wonder about the guy who printed the sticker. Isn’t he kind of out there on this one? IMPEACH Obama?

Even if you disagree with him, what is the basis for using that sticker? What action of Obama’s has even remotely constituted an Impeachable offense?

At least Clinton and Bush, both of whom were subject to either Impeachment or desires for impeachment gave their opponents a window.

Clinton fell victim to a witch hunt and did lie under oath. I opposed his impeachment strongly, but at least there was something the right could hang their hat on.

Bush had a few items that were somewhat realistic charges. I never thought the war was impeachable (Congress gave him the power and he never gave an account under oath to constitute a crime of lying to take us to war), but certainly his decisions on torture and wire tapping could have been legitimate areas of complaint. Again, I opposed his impeachment as well, but like with Clinton, at least there was smoke to go with a desire to burn down our systems of democracy.

But Obama? What the hell has he done that you can hang your hat on if you are bumper sticker guy? I haven’t agreed with all of his policies, but there is nothing remotely IMPEACHABLE.

I guess we have gotten to the point where every president should be “impeached” according to the other side.

Am I missing something? What would you argue if you were bumper sticker guy? Because while I could see someone justifying an “Anyone Else in 2012” sticker, Impeach is ridiculous even for Peeing on Ford guy.

ETA- I changed by line to read I haven’t agreed with “all” of Obama’s policies. I have agreed strongly with quite a few. FWIW- Though it might be obvious, I voted for Obama.

2

“Impeach Obama! He’s Not Republican!”

3

The decision about whether to impeach a President is ultimately a political one. A hostile Congress could doubtless invent some impeachable office for Obama, but with Democrat majorities in both houses, those Texans are pissing in the wind.

4

Well, purely legalistically, Congress could impeach Obama for wearing a pale blue tie. That is, Congress’ power to impeach is absolute and unreviewable; an impeachable offense is whatever Congress says it is.

Practically speaking, however, Congress would never impeach unless they could allege and prove a violation of criminal law.

So far as I’m aware, there is absolutely none, zero, zilch, not the slightest hint of a scintilla of evidence that President Obama has committed any crime. So… the bumper sticker sentiment is absurd.

5

Not just ridiculous, asinine. Even if, like me, you are highly concerned with where it appears Obama is headed, I see zero grounds for even possible impeachment. But I’m optimistic, he’s only been at it a few months.:wink:

On second thought, maybe the “reason” the “Impeach!” crowd would give is the whole not born in the U.S. nonsense. At least that would theoretically qualify as “a reason”.

6

It’s just one instance in a long string of “turnabout is fair play” tactics. “You did it to my guy, so I’m gonna do it to your guy!”

7

“High crimes and misdemeanors” means you can impeach for just about anything, as far as I know. But that’s only a theoretical limit.

ETA: Seeing as how 18 other people answered after I hit reply but before I clicked submit…

8

Impeach him because he is not a natural born citizen.

9

That would certainly work.

Except for the whole “evidence” thing, of course.

10

Both impeachments of Presidents lacked that condition.

11

Is that a High Crime or a High Misdemeanor?

Seems like any crime there is his parents’.

12

Well, there ya go! Impeach him for failure to see that the (copyright) laws are faithfully executed!

13

Huh?

Jackson was nailed on violation of the Tenure of Office Act (which was admittedly tossed in to thwart Jackson by his political opponents). Technically a violation of the law then though.

Clinton got nailed for perjury.

14

If there were any truth to the Birther nonsense, Obama would be guilty of usurping the office of President. Obviously, that’s a big “if” that is not borne out by the facts.

15

I think most birthers believe Obama himself is complicit in the conspiracy to hide his birth country by hiding or forging or something his birth-certificate. I guess it’s an interesting hypothetical question of what we’d do if Obama was proved to have been born a citizen but was unaware of the fact. I mean, its hard to say it’s a crime, exactly,

That said, I suspect if you asked the guy he’d mumble something about taxes/healthcare/gov’t stimulus being unconstitutional and thus a crime worthy of impeachment. It doesn’t make much more sense then the Birther stuff, but it seems to be a more common complaint amongst certain groups.

16

Johnson. The first one. There was a move to impeach Jackson but it didn’t get anywhere.

Bricker specified *criminal *law, for one thing, and violating the Tenure of Office Act was a civil violation. For another, Johnson was also impeached for making speeches defaming Congress. That has never been a violation criminal law, and is actually sometimes required of a responsible citizen. :wink:

No, for claims of something that was described in such a way as to smell something like perjury, but without actually using the word. And for good reason.

17

Johnson. You got the wrong Andrew. (Though Lib might appreciate the sentiments! ;))

18

He dances suspiciously well for a male, which must be an offfence in some States.

19

Doh! :smack:

20

Impeach him for his bad verses!
Rhubarb! Rhubarb! Where’s me pitchfork?