Posted on 08/21/2005 2:24:00 PM PDT by SmithL
COLUMBUS, Ohio - Ohio's House Democrats are considering impeachment proceedings against Republican Gov. Bob Taft, who pleaded no contest last week to four ethics violations.
House Minority Leader Chris Redfern said Sunday that Democrats had made no decision yet about whether to seek Taft's ouster - impeachment would be difficult if not impossible with Republicans controlling both houses of the Legislature.
But he said they had asked the Legislature's legal research arm to outline the impeachment process so they understand it when they meet Tuesday to discuss a response.
"Impeachment is such a serious thing, and it's not something to be careless about," Redfern said. "But we would all do well as members of the House to understand what the process is."
The House Democrats will also consider other alternatives, including asking Taft to resign, Redfern said.
Governor's press secretary Mark Rickel did not immediately return calls seeking comment Sunday.
Taft issued a public apology after entering his plea last week, but he said he would not step down as governor. He was fined $4,000 for failing to report golf outings and other gifts.
An article of impeachment would have to be approved by a majority of the 99-member House, something the Democrats - who hold 39 seats - couldn't achieve without the votes of at least 11 Republicans. If passed, an impeachment trial would be held in the GOP-controlled Senate.
Senate President Bill Harris said Sunday that talk of impeachment is unwarranted.
"Unless some other types of charges develop, I don't think there will be an attempt to impeach the governor," said Harris, a Republican. "I think he'll continue to do his best and continue to work hard."
The troubles surrounding Taft, the great-grandson of President William Howard Taft, are the latest blow to the GOP in the Republican-controlled state that won President Bush re-election.
A scandal that began with a prominent GOP contributor's investment of state money in rare coins has ballooned to include 15 state and federal agencies investigating allegations of risky investments and illegal campaign contributions to Bush.
Do It!
Impeachment for free golf outings paid for by friends and relatives, not reported.
(Denny Crane: "Sometimes you can only look for answers from God and failing that... and Fox News".)
(Denny Crane: "Sometimes you can only look for answers from God and failing that... and Fox News".)
Taft made a big mistake. Had he raped women, sold technology to the ChiComs, destroyed evidence, suborned and committed perjury, and intimidate witnesses, the Democrats would love him.
The gifts were worth about $5,800 and given over four years.
(Denny Crane: "Sometimes you can only look for answers from God and failing that... and Fox News".)
(Denny Crane: "Sometimes you can only look for answers from God and failing that... and Fox News".)
If he plead guilty and admitted his actions, I say keep him in office because he more honest than those politicans who want to impeach him.
That is indeed tiny. The Democratic governor of American Samoa has made off with a lot more, and since he controls the House, there is no chance for impeachment.
Yep, and then he'd be reelected.
There's some goomer up in Cleveland who is being accused of bribing city officials. How is this different from what Taft's "friends" did. Does anyone believe those golf games didn't include getting state contracts? If so, I have some swamp land for ya...
Nah, they aren't going to impeach him- just whine about it and get all the press mileage they can with him in office. Taft makes a good effigy of the Republican Party in Ohio and this is gonna hurt like hell the next election cycle.
Would the Governor's game be like this?:
1st hole.
Mr. Noe: Guv, I bet you $2000 that you come closer to the green than I do with this shot. You go first:
Guv: I dunno, you are a pretty good golfer, but you're on for 2G. Guv swings, drives about 100 yards.
Noe: Good shot. Noe Tees up, swings, drives about 50 yards. "Dangit, here is your $2000!
(18 holes later the good Governor is ahead by $36,000!)
Good sportsmanship!!
It seems the dems of Ohio are trying to destroy Blackwell's chances before the game even starts.
The dems are using impeachment carelessly after the Repubs impeached Clinton.
Yeah, but this fool has spent the past six years talking about ethics in his administration. He has stated multiple times that any state employee convicted of such crimes must resign. What a hypocrite!
I voted for him the first time, and was smart enough to sit out the governor's race in '02. He's another Voinovich, just dumber, if that's possible. And now he's really screwed things up for Ken Blackwell.
Impeachment is for High Crimes and misdemeanors folks.
L
Tell ya what. If he were a democrat, I'd sure be calling for impeachment, and I call for impeachment even though he is a repu, wait, rino. When he failed to report those "gifts", I think they became bribes.
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