First, I don't think you understood my post. Speaker Boehner could establish an impeachment committee in the House to subpena documents relevant to Obama's constitutional qualifications to serve as president without so much as committing in advance to even a vote on an impeachment. The purpose would be to secure the documents and information necessary to determine whether impeachment is warranted.
Second, I have no difficulty distinguishing this matter from the different circumstances faced by Gingrich. I don't want to assume that you think that, because Gingrich failed, the power to conduct impeachment inquiries should be forever abandoned.
Obama's origins raise important constitutional questions and we shouldn't shrink from them merely because we are afraid that some folks might criticize us for insisting on the truth.
No, I think I did. What I am saying is that convening an impeachment hearing would be politically stupid. First, the "committee" is already established, it will either be the Judiciary or the House Committee. Either way, it takes a majority of Committee members to initiate proceedings. That vote would be political suicide for the Republicans. In a time where the country is facing double-digit unemployment, the Republican would be painted as hunting for witches. It would be a political disaster.
I'm not saying impeachment is foreclosed for any future presidents ( or even this president). I'm saying that whatever party initiates impeachment proceedings again, had better be sure they've got the goods before they start. That's the practical political reality.