Posted on 09/02/2010 2:16:50 PM PDT by jongaltsr
Question. Can "We" as citizens call for impeachment of the President and can we do it by ballot?
I know the Senate and House have procedures to do so - but - can we as citizens bypass them and demand impeachment by ballot or other more expedient means.
Would love to find someone who is more knowledgeable on the ins and outs of impeachment.
I would love to get your two cents on this subject but meanwhile if there are any constitutional scholars who know of other methods of getting rid of this "dolt", I would love to explore the possibilities.
Thanks "Ya all".
Nope and nope.
Longer answer forthcoming.
There is no constitutional means for doing so.
It is possible if there is a full moon.
No.
Every 4 years.
Nope? and why not.
He was elected by the citizens on a ballot - why can’t he be impeached on a ballot?
What you suggest sounds like a recall? With a recall, first the state voters essentially hold a no-confidence vote in the executive (aka usually the governor/mayor) and if the people do not want said magistrate returning, they choose from a list of alternatives. Recalls were a product of the first Progressive Era.
What charge would the impeachment be based upon?
Of course there’s no “impeachment by popular demand”.
All impeachment power under the constitution is invested in Congress. The House votes for “articles of impeachment”, which if passed the person is “impeached”. A subsequent trial takes place in the senate. If the person is found guilty there by 2/3 majority, he is removed from office.
If we can prove he stole my green sweater.
It seems to me that that would be entirely in keeping with the basic principles of the Constitution.
The framers wrote it just that way because they understood how tyrannical governments can become and when that happens, they provided the tools for the people to retake control.
That was the basis for the American Revolution.
” He was elected by the citizens on a ballot - why can’t he be impeached on a ballot? “
Not exactly —
He was elected by the States, through ‘Electors’ in the Electoral College - which traditionally (but not always) reflect the consensus of the voters in their state...
Cumbersome, yes, but it kept us from President Al Gore.....
There is hope however that one or more of the plaintiffs suing on the Natural Born Citizen issue may get standing and proceed on those grounds.
If he was found to not be an NBC, that in itself is cause for removal, and running for Prez knowing you were not qualified would be a High Crime and/or Misdemeanor,
He was elected by the Electoral College, not by you or I. Impeachment is not a popularity contest. It is a process that is initiated as a result of illegal activity on the part of the offending party. If you want to get rid of Obama, vote in November and in 2012.
Why am I answering these questions on FR?
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