Comments in the state ratifying conventions also suggest that those who adopted the Constitution viewed impeachment as a remedy for usurpation or abuse of power or serious breach of trust. Thus, Charles Cotesworth Pinckney of South Carolina stated that the impeachment power of the House reaches "those who behave amiss, or betray their public trust."60 Edmund Randolph said in the Virgina convention that the President may be impeached if he "misbehaves."61 He later cited the example of the President's receipt of presents or emoluments from a foreign power in violation of the constitutional prohibition of Article I, section 9. 62 In the same convention George Mason argued that the President might use his pardoning power to "pardon crimes which were advised by himself" or, before indictment or conviction, "to stop inquiry and prevent detection." James Madison responded:Washington Post[I]f the President be connected, in any suspicious manner, with any person, and there be grounds to believe he will shelter him, the House of Representatives can impeach him; they can remove him if found guilty...63
Oh, BTW, Cindy Sheehan is will be doing a comeback protest march soon...ugh.
Did you see the latest news release?
Shrillery: “Gasp, gasp, shriek, shriek...... I am simply outraged!! Although this commutation of sentence falls short of an outright pardon, I am extremely concerned about the evil BushCo White House. First, I understand that no Rodhams or Clintons received any large sums of money to ‘facilitate’ this exercise of executive clemency. 2nd, I see that no terrorists were released by this BushCo action. 3rd, I know of no secretive large donations of funds to the next presidential library. 4th, I know that no slutty blondes had to suck up to the President in order to obtain this favorable clemency action. Finally, I recognize that there is no long list of Clintonista felons and grifters to be pardoned by this administration. THEREFORE, I am convinced that this action by President Bush was deeply illegitimate and contrary to our system of government as I understand it and as it has operated in my time.”