Why wasn’t Bush removed from office by Congress?

[Cleita]

So why didn’t our Democrats in Congress do this back when Bush declared war on Iraq? That irrational act alone proved he was incapable of discharging the powers and duties of his office. Yes, we would have gotten Cheney for awhile, but a man with his heart condition would have to be removed as well.

The Constitution of the United States of America

Article. II.
Section. 1.

Clause 6: In Case of the Removal of the President from Office, or of his Death, Resignation, or Inability to discharge the Powers and Duties of the said Office, the Same shall devolve on the Vice President, and the Congress may by Law provide for the Case of Removal, Death, Resignation or Inability, both of the President and Vice President, declaring what Officer shall then act as President, and such Officer shall act accordingly, until the Disability be removed, or a President shall be elected.

Section. 4.

The President, Vice President and all civil Officers of the United States, shall be removed from Office on Impeachment for, and Conviction of, Treason, Bribery, or other high Crimes and Misdemeanors.

Amendment XX

Section. 4. The Congress may by law provide for the case of the death of any of the persons from whom the House of Representatives may choose a President whenever the right of choice shall have devolved upon them, and for the case of the death of any of the persons from whom the Senate may choose a Vice President whenever the right of choice shall have devolved upon them.

Amendment XXV

Section 1. In case of the removal of the President from office or of his death or resignation, the Vice President shall become President.

Section 2. Whenever there is a vacancy in the office of the Vice President, the President shall nominate a Vice President who shall take office upon confirmation by a majority vote of both Houses of Congress.

Section 3. Whenever the President transmits to the President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives his written declaration that he is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office, and until he transmits to them a written declaration to the contrary, such powers and duties shall be discharged by the Vice President as Acting President.

Section 4. Whenever the Vice President and a majority of either the principal officers of the executive departments or of such other body as Congress may by law provide, transmit to the President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives their written declaration that the President is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office, the Vice President shall immediately assume the powers and duties of the office as Acting President.

Thereafter, when the President transmits to the President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives his written declaration that no inability exists, he shall resume the powers and duties of his office unless the Vice President and a majority of either the principal officers of the executive department or of such other body as Congress may by law provide, transmit within four days to the President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives their written declaration that the President is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office. Thereupon Congress shall decide the issue, assembling within forty-eight hours for that purpose if not in session. If the Congress, within twenty-one days after receipt of the latter written declaration, or, if Congress is not in session, within twenty-one days after Congress is required to assemble, determines by two-thirds vote of both Houses that the President is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office, the Vice President shall continue to discharge the same as Acting President; otherwise, the President shall resume the powers and duties of his office.

[Malva Zebrina]

1. Because the system is broken

I believe that.

[AlCzervik]

2. broken indeed

and the democrats let Bush scare them and bully them into this, spineless. Who in the right mind would let a complete moron like sthe shrub have that kind of unchecked power. It's really insane.

[kentuck]

3. The Democrats couldn't even bring it up for a vote.....

The Repubs control the House... ???????

[Cleita]

6. The pukes have a small margin of majority.

I think anti-war Republicans like John McCain could have been persuaded to cross the aisle.

[Pepperbelly]

9. a small majority is all it takes to control the House which is where ...

these matters must start. McCain nor Chaffee would do you a bit of good in the place controlled by Delay and Hastert.

It cannot happen as long as there are more gops in the Congress than Democrats.

[Fridays Child]

4. Impeachment is executed by the House.

And the Repukes have a large majority in the House.

[Mel]

14. Ding Ding Ding

Mary Pat is correct Impeachment is executed by the House.

Might I add from observation it's not going to happen because right wing radicals control the House.
To any who haven't watched the house of reps. at work you should it will disgust you. To the ones who think the democrats are spineless they may see it differently after watching them in the House it's insane. Republicans are running the house like a dictatorship and we the people need to work as hard as we can to get them the hell out!!
This right here is where we start Richard Morrison is going up against Tom Delay the bug man.
Here's Richard Morrison's home page donate to him so we can give Tom Delay a run for his money from what I understand Old Tom's numbers aren't looking to good either!
http://www.morrisonfor22.com/

[indepat]

5. Because it is evident almost every Repuke in Congress believes

a Republican President can do anything he wants, to hell with the powers of Congress under the Constitution, the separation of powers, the law, our Constitution, international law, international treaty, end of story. The proof is in the pudding for all to see. The Congress and the Supreme Court have totally failed in their duties and most, IMNSHO, warrant impeachment, but that ain't going to happen.

[Cleita]

7. Although I thought it should have happened back then, what's

to stop them now? I think there are more Republicans who would do this now after all that has happened. I don't think we have the luxury of waiting until November to oust Bush.

[Pepperbelly]

10. i think you are optimistic about the gops and love of country. nt

[Cleita]

11. Maybe so, but remember it was the Republicans who

brought down Nixon.

[Pepperbelly]

12. no, it was gops who ...

made him believe that fighting was futile.

The Democrats had the votes to impeach him. I do not know that they had enough to convict in the Senate but they had enough to impeach.

[Cleita]

13. One can hope that at least enough of them find a conscience

and decide to do the right thing. It's really no skin off their backs because another Republican named by Congress would have to finish out his term. Hopefully, they will find another wimp like Gerald Ford who will do little damage until voted out.

On edit: I want to see Bush tried and convicted, not just voted out of office so he can live the rest of his days in Crawford in comfort without paying for his crimes.

[Old and In the Way]

16. Articles of impeachment need to be voted out of committee

In Nixon's case, I think there were 2 Republicans who sided with the Democrats...one was Bill Cohen, my Rep from Maine. I like to think he did the right thing for this country. A good man (Cohen, not Nixon).

[Nlighten1]

8. 95 to 3...that is why

[PaDUer]

15. Negroponte

first ambassador to Iraq. NOT good!--Human Rights Abuser!

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/afp/20040506/pl_afp/us_iraq_negroponte

[Cleita]

17. Kick

Just in case anyone else is interested.