# Why are the House Pubs so against impeachment? **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [July 7, 2014, 11:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-the-house-pubs-so-against-impeachment/692588 "2014-07-07T23:40:07Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Buck\_Godot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/buck_godot/32/6573_2.png) [@Buck\_Godot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Buck_Godot)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2014, 3:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-the-house-pubs-so-against-impeachment/692588/41 "2014-07-08T15:09:35Z")
> [@adaher](#): > > Delaying the business mandate in the health care law was patently illegal. The law gives him no such discretion. He did it because it’s an inconvenient law. Same goes for the individual mandate. Although he’s using all kinds of clever legal tricks to avoid crossing the line: the business mandate is in effect(for some businesses) and the individual mandate is in effect(for some individuals). But in neither case is it lack of resources or prosecutorial discretion. It’s political convenience. He may not be in violation of the letter of the law, but he’s certainly violating the spirit of it for political gain. The fact that Republicans are attempting to make hay out of this exemplifies the extent to which they have embraced partisanship at the expense of the American people. If they really were concerned about the damage that the ACA could do to the people and business they would have welcomed a delay in the implementation of certain aspects of it, so as to cause the least harm. In fact they should have passed the legislation themselves. As it is their goal was clearly to make the implementation of the ACA as painful as possible in hopes that the negative publicity would blow back in Obama’s direction. I truly believe that if there was a magic button that they could press that would cause 20 million Americans to lose their health care, and unemployment to rise to 10% they would press it just so that it would make Obama look bad. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2014, 3:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-the-house-pubs-so-against-impeachment/692588/42 "2014-07-08T15:12:45Z")
> [@adaher](#): > > It’s a reasonable distinction, John. Refusing to enforce duly enacted laws of Congress is an impeachable offense. Using the wrong fork for his salad is an impeachable offense. ---
**Author:** ![Saint\_Cad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saint_cad/32/18907_2.png) [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2014, 3:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-the-house-pubs-so-against-impeachment/692588/43 "2014-07-08T15:26:36Z")
Obama’s a longshot but I’m sure it would not be difficult to come up with some impeachable offenses against Holder. ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2014, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-the-house-pubs-so-against-impeachment/692588/44 "2014-07-08T16:12:56Z")
Yeah, he’s black, too. The GOP is instead trying some weird, poorly thought out lawsuit against Obama, reasons and methods TBD. I mean WTF. ---
**Author:** ![42fish](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/4/b487fb/32.png) [@42fish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/42fish)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2014, 5:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-the-house-pubs-so-against-impeachment/692588/45 "2014-07-08T17:09:08Z")
> [@ElvisL1ves](#): > > The GOP is instead trying some weird, poorly thought out lawsuit against Obama, reasons and methods TBD. I mean WTF. I suspect the GOP leadership has decided that they have to _something_ to satisfy the Tea Party/nutbar wing, but they know impeachment is a loser of a strategy. So the lawsuit will, they hope, satisfy the radicals while not making as much of a spectacle as impeachment would. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2014, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-the-house-pubs-so-against-impeachment/692588/46 "2014-07-08T17:28:27Z")
> [@42fish](#): > > I suspect the GOP leadership has decided that they have to _something_ to satisfy the Tea Party/nutbar wing, but they know impeachment is a loser of a strategy. So the lawsuit will, they hope, satisfy the radicals while not making as much of a spectacle as impeachment would. [Perhaps, but it’s never going to happen.](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=727953) ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2014, 5:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-the-house-pubs-so-against-impeachment/692588/47 "2014-07-08T17:33:44Z")
> [@adaher](#): > > Wouldn’t ruin the country anymore than defunding the INS would ruin the country. Which refusing to use it is effectively doing. You know, without the benefit of the taxpayers actually saving money in the process, since the INS will find something to do with the money if they aren’t deporting as many people. Probably build an awesome new HQ with all sorts of amenities, hire some more clerical workers and middle managers. Heck, I’m just not seeing any obvious check points on what the Tea Party types are willing to do, including completely defunding ICE or the IRS, damn the consequences. ---
**Author:** ![Happy\_Fun\_Ball](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/happy_fun_ball/32/17664_2.png) [@Happy\_Fun\_Ball](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Fun_Ball)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2014, 7:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-the-house-pubs-so-against-impeachment/692588/48 "2014-07-08T19:20:28Z")
Adaher, maybe you should read [this](http://www.bu.edu/law/central/jd/organizations/journals/bulr/documents/JOHNSEN.pdf) (pdf) and then compare what Obama has done with his signing statements (hint: Obama is not a fan of the Unitary Executive Theory though I agree he, too, abuses his power as President). Also, you opinion that delaying the ACA was illegal is IMHO stupid; the executive branch has delayed the implementation of countless laws over the years when the resources needed to implement them was not available. This has been done regardless of which party held the presidency. Check out the implementation of Medicare Part D or No Child Left Behind for examples. Finally, why do you say that Obama is not using the INS? He has deported more people than any President before him even though the immigration rate has be down since 2008. Please explain this to me… ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2014, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-the-house-pubs-so-against-impeachment/692588/49 "2014-07-08T19:25:59Z")
> [@adaher](#): > > Wouldn’t ruin the country anymore than defunding the INS would ruin the country. Which refusing to use it is effectively doing. As an update on what I wrote before, [Obama actually requested $3.7 billion in funding.](http://www.nytimes.com/2014/07/09/us/obama-seeks-billions-for-children-immigration-crisis.html?hp&action=click&pgtype=Homepage&version=LedeSum&module=first-column-region®ion=top-news&WT.nav=top-news) So yes, by all means let’s see House Republicans reject that request and defund ICE Obama isn’t using it enough, or whatever the pretzel logic is today. ---
**Author:** ![astorian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ad7895/32.png) [@astorian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astorian)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2014, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-the-house-pubs-so-against-impeachment/692588/50 "2014-07-08T19:53:27Z")
I can’t speak for Republicans in Congress, but… while I have no use for Obama, if I were in Congress, I couldn’t see any grounds upon which to impeach him. ---
**Author:** ![Finagle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/b19c9b/32.png) [@Finagle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Finagle)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2014, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-the-house-pubs-so-against-impeachment/692588/51 "2014-07-08T20:07:14Z")
“Why are the House Pubs so against impeachment?” I’m guessing that the House Pubs are against impeachment in the very same way that I’m against personally sleeping with as many supermodels as possible. The theory sounds nice, but any attempt to implement it would just result in embarrassment for everyone. ---
**Author:** ![Merneith](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/57b2e6/32.png) [@Merneith](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Merneith)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2014, 8:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-the-house-pubs-so-against-impeachment/692588/52 "2014-07-08T20:22:19Z")
But you know who’s not in the House and thinks impeaching Obama is a _great_ idea? [Sarah Palin](http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/07/08/sarah-palin-impeach-obama_n_5567401.html). > **[Exclusive--Sarah Palin: 'It's Time to Impeach' President Obama](https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2014/07/08/exclusive-sarah-palin-time-to-impeach-president-obama/)** > > Enough is enough of the years of abuse from this president. His unsecured border crisis is the last straw that makes the battered wife say, > [@](#): > > President Obama’s rewarding of lawlessness, including his own, is the foundational problem here. It’s not going to get better, and in fact irreparable harm can be done in this lame-duck term as he continues to make up his own laws as he goes along, and, mark my words, will next meddle in the U.S. Court System with appointments that will forever change the basic interpretation of our Constitution’s role in protecting our rights. > > It’s time to impeach; and on behalf of American workers and legal immigrants of all backgrounds, we should vehemently oppose any politician on the left or right who would hesitate in voting for articles of impeachment. > > The many impeachable offenses of Barack Obama can no longer be ignored. If after all this he’s not impeachable, then no one is. ---
**Author:** ![adaher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dec6dc/32.png) [@adaher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adaher)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2014, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-the-house-pubs-so-against-impeachment/692588/53 "2014-07-08T20:29:41Z")
She’s wrong. There is no irreparable harm that he can do. And Republicans shouldn’t let him drive them crazy. Just ignore him. He has no power and he can’t make the agencies do what he wants anyway. If information doesn’t filter up to him, it’s reasonable to suspect that information isn’t filtering down either. And if he does succeed in actually doing something, it can be undone by the next President not too long from now. ---
**Author:** ![Finagle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/b19c9b/32.png) [@Finagle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Finagle)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2014, 8:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-the-house-pubs-so-against-impeachment/692588/54 "2014-07-08T20:30:27Z")
> [@Merneith](#): > > But you know who’s not in the House and thinks impeaching Obama is a _great_ idea? > > [Sarah Palin](http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/07/08/sarah-palin-impeach-obama_n_5567401.html). > > [http://www.breitbart.com/Big-Government/2014/07/08/Exclusive-Sarah-Palin-Time-to-Impeach-President-Obama](http://www.breitbart.com/Big-Government/2014/07/08/Exclusive-Sarah-Palin-Time-to-Impeach-President-Obama) She just seems generally opposed to anything or anyone going full term. ---
**Author:** ![msmith537](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d9b06d/32.png) [@msmith537](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/msmith537)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2014, 8:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-the-house-pubs-so-against-impeachment/692588/55 "2014-07-08T20:30:47Z")
> [@adaher](#): > > Although he’s using all kinds of clever legal tricks to avoid crossing the line: Otherwise known as “following the letter of the law”. ---
**Author:** ![Superdude](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/superdude/32/13450_2.png) [@Superdude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superdude)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2014, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-the-house-pubs-so-against-impeachment/692588/56 "2014-07-08T20:33:13Z")
> [@adaher](#): > > And if he does succeed in actually doing something, it can be undone by the next President not too long from now. I can’t think of too many things that Hillary would undo, though. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2014, 8:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-the-house-pubs-so-against-impeachment/692588/57 "2014-07-08T20:36:21Z")
> [@Merneith](#): > > But you know who’s not in the House and thinks impeaching Obama is a _great_ idea? I’m offended at the use of the word “idea” in this context. > [@adaher](#): > > And Republicans shouldn’t let him drive them crazy. Just ignore him. He has no power and he can’t make the agencies do what he wants anyway. Yup, that’s the Republican view on governing alright: all you need to do is obstruct. ---
**Author:** ![adaher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dec6dc/32.png) [@adaher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adaher)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2014, 8:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-the-house-pubs-so-against-impeachment/692588/58 "2014-07-08T20:51:39Z")
Republicans control the House. How many of their bills has the Senate even brought up for a vote? ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2014, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-the-house-pubs-so-against-impeachment/692588/59 "2014-07-08T20:52:59Z")
Yeah, that’s the ticket: the party that controls the House sets the agenda, and the party that controls the Senate and the presidency needs to follow or get lost. I don’t think the House has voted on a ton of Senate bills lately… ---
**Author:** ![Merneith](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/57b2e6/32.png) [@Merneith](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Merneith)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2014, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-the-house-pubs-so-against-impeachment/692588/60 "2014-07-08T20:57:20Z")
> [@Finagle](#): > > She just seems generally opposed to anything or anyone going full term. Nice. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-the-house-pubs-so-against-impeachment/692588.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-the-house-pubs-so-against-impeachment/692588.md?page=4)