Posted on 08/09/2005 6:27:59 AM PDT by Maria S
Westchester County District Attorney Jeanine Pirro's announcement yesterday that she intends to challenge Hillary Clinton for her Senate seat has already sent Mrs. Clinton's media spinners into overdrive - with at least one news outlet claiming that her husband was never impeached.
After recycling the old news that Pirro's hubby Albert was convicted of tax fraud and had fathered an out-of-wedlock child, the New York Daily News insisted that Bill Clinton was "nearly impeached for lying about his relationships with Paula Jones and Monica Lewinsky."
Nice try. On December 19, 1998, Mr. Clinton became the first elected president in U.S. history to be impeached. [Impeached President Andrew Johnson wasn't elected - a fact that matters in a process that otherwise involves the House "overturning the will of the people."]
And since the Clinton co-presidency was sold as a "buy one, get one free" deal - the taint of impeachment tarnishes Hillary as well.
Each time the press insists on re-airing Mr. Pirro's dirty laundry, Jeanine Pirro's campaign should waste no time in treating the public to a little impeachment history lesson.
Yes, He WAS impeached but the Senate failed to convict. Nevertheless, he was impeached. Those silly Dems and their lib media friends are trying to change the meaning of words.
Sure, just like he NEARLY got a BJ from Monica.
House impeachment = criminal trial
Senate hearing = sentencing
Bill Clinton's deal was rather like having a guy convicted of child molestation, and then being given a suspended sentence.
You know, kinda like what goes on in court rooms around this country every day.
So - indicted but not convicted?
I think that many people's misunderstanding of the word directly results from successful spinning.
Completely impeached and completely disbarred.
No He was convicted, but given a cigar for his troubles.
Kill A Commie For Mommie
Seven Dead Monkeys Page O Tunes
Yes....though........... IMHO...not convicted because of an absence of any action by the Senate. (Dole just brought forth some procedural actions, just played it up for a bit..then allowed the Dems/MSM control the proceedings to its inevitable non-action.
From a definition in Webster’s Main Entry: 1im•peach
Function: transitive verb
Etymology: Middle English empechen, from Middle French empeechier to hinder, from Late Latin impedicare to fetter, from Latin in- + pedica fetter, from ped-, pes foot -- more at FOOT
1 a : to bring an accusation against b : to charge with a crime or misdemeanor; specifically : to charge (a public official) before a competent tribunal with misconduct in office.
From the U.S. Constitution:
The Constitution deals with the subject of impeachment and conviction at six places. The scope of the power is set out in Article II, 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."
Other provisions deal with procedures and consequences.
Article I, Section 2 states:
"The House of Representatives . . . shall have the sole Power of Impeachment."
Similarly, Article I, Section 3, describes the Senate's role:
"The Senate shall have the sole Power to try all Impeachments. When sitting for that Purpose, they shall be on Oath or Affirmation. When the President of the United States is tried, the Chief Justice shall preside: And no Person shall be convicted without the Concurrence of two thirds of the Members present."
The same section limits the consequences of judgment in cases of impeachment:
"Judgment in Cases of Impeachment shall not extend further than to removal from Office, and disqualification to hold and enjoy any Office of honor, Trust or Profit under the United States: but the Party convicted shall nevertheless be liable and subject to Indictment, Trial,. Judgment and Punishment, according to law."
Of lesser significance, although mentioning the subject, are: Article II, Section 2:
"The President shall have Power to grant Reprieves and Pardons for Offences against the United States, except in Cases of Impeachment."
Article III, Section 2:
"The Trial of all Crimes, except in Cases of Impeachment, shall be by Jury . . . ."
"I think that many people's misunderstanding of the word directly results from successful spinning."
Ever since I first learned the meaning of impeachment (long, long before Clinton), people misunderstood its meaning. No spin needed.
Impeached and convicted of perjury. Quite the President.
"GET YOUR PEANUTS, POPCORN, ICE COLD BEER HERE!!!"
Oh boy; oh boy; oh boy; (rubbing hands together) I can't wait for this movie to start....hehehehehe
Convicted but not removed. It still gripes me to have to type that.
While I agree that many always misunderstood the word, I also believe that clear and accurate reporting during the Clinton fiasco would've properly educated a certain percentage of the populace.
For the most part, in the MSM, that never happened.
I have heard otherwise intelligent and educated people say that the Senate did not remove him from office because he was found 'innocent' of the charges and so the 'impeachment' didn't count. I heard it from a very liberal minister who was speaking from the pulpit. No, I don't go to church there anymore.
"Not sure that was intentional."
ROTFLOL!! Believe me .. Hillary's media spinners know perfectly well what "impeached" means.
They're just counting on the American public being too stupid to know [BIG MISTAKE].
I think you mean to say, 'Trent Lott did not do his duty.' Bob Dole retired after the 1996 election.
It was Trent Lott that failed to conduct a Senate trial of Clinton.
Guess I confused one Republican 'spineless wonder' for the other.
Bob Dole was certainly retired by Jan 1999 as he was being the 'statesman' spokesman for Viagra.
Bringing up impeachment, especially in NY will do far more harm to Pirro's campaign that anything else. It is a subject best left alone.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.