Conyers office call report. Please read everyone interested in impeachment.

So I had a long and interesting conversation with Mr. Conyer's aide. Here is a summary of what I must consider to be Mr. Conyer's view of the situation. If anyone can rebut this, we should marshal our arguments and barrage the office with calls.

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It was the aide's position that many of the freshman congressman that were just elected are not able politically to stand either up or down on the position of impeachment because they feel they could lose their districts in the next election.

That's it in a nutshell. The freshman congress-critters won't go for it and put their asses in the breeze.

This can only mean that people need to really hammer their congressmen/women on the local level and then have THEM talk to Mr. Conyers. That, plus keep calling Conyers and have his office tell Mr. Conyers to remain sensitive to that type of message coming in from his fellow reps.

I told the aide he made a very good argument, but that what was missing from his analysis were a few things, most importantly the political fact that the republicans have understood for a long time now about how one creates ONE'S OWN REALITY. You could also call it implanting your message or educating the public, I suppose. The point, also, I went on, is that you must stop pre-evaluating the outcome of everything and having that determine the course of your present actions. Sometimes you have to lead because it is the right thing to do.

In response, he said that although there is very little precedent -only 2 impeachments have taken place- congress-led, people-following impeachments don't work well, he said. I responded that it would hardly be congress-led and that the people have been ahead of the politicians in the learning curve vis a vis the war. The conversation ended soon when he had to go, but he was a very intelligent and willing to talk young man. Let's continue persistently and courteously calling his office.

What do you all think? Do we still have a chance of convincing him? Let's do it. Now is the time.

But as for that, it is my understanding that contempt charges have been drawn up.

And how many of those freshmen are Blue Dogs who fear if they support impeachment they risk losing their centrist support next election? Which would make this, at least in part, yet another illustration of how compromising principles just to elect somebody with a 'D' after their name actually dilutes Dem strength and hands the Repugs default victories.

In avoiding impeachment, Congressional Democrats have had to adopt positions they can't defend.

Nancy has repudiated her own constitutents.

Mr. Conyers, Pelosi and Hoyers do not dispute impeachable offenses have occured.

Conyer's aide is putting freshman up as an excuse: what were they elected for if not to check the Executive? If they won't do their job, their election becomes meaningless to the voters that put them into office.

And I sense it will not sway them.

Democrats stand to inherit the fallout of Bush's abuses. They can pre-empt the inevitable blame that will be heaped on them by putting on the white hat first.

for DUers to e-mail, fax, or phone a message to Rep Conyers' office, with information from the Senate Watergate Report about the duties of congress in regard to executive office crimes and abuses of power. Though it is sinking rapidly on DU:GD, I am hoping people will read it and send the message.

In response to the idea that freshmen would face problems for supporting impeachment, I think that it would not be a significant problem if the leadership did its job. My OP has to do with the duty of the congress to inform the public of crimes and abuses of power in the executive office. If the leadership did this, in the context of impeachment, I do not think there is any evidence that the freshmen democrats would be punished for upholding the law of the land and honoring their oath of office.

I would also suggest politely pointing out that John Nichols has done an in-depth study of the results of attempts to impeach, and the consequences in following elections. There is no historic example that supports the theory that freshmen in congess would be penalized for supporting the rule of law, but there is plenty of evidence that shows the exact opposite to be true. It might be interesting to ask if there is any evidence they have that contradicts the historic record on this?

they might reevaluate that kind of thinking. By Nov. 2008 there will be very few people left, Rs included, who do not view Bushco as an illegitimate junta that stole the Presidency in 2000, destroyed Peace, started an illegal war with lies, tortures, imprisons innocents without rights, ruined the economy, and is the most corrupt bunch of bastards in American history.

Woe to those who are late to the table in this reality view! They will go the way of the Corrupt Bastards Club.

not set everything up to win the next election. That is the basis for corruption. It's also pretty damned pathetic behavior for someone who is supposed to be an adult.

impeachment and that they are just freshmen and can't challenge leadership, and the leadership claims the freshmen are opposed to impeachment because they feel it would hurt them in their district.

This amounts to both freshmen and leadership hiding behind each other.

The only way I see to resolve this is to get the freshmen and the leadership all together in the same room at the same time and talking about it all together. That way they can't keep using the other to hide behind.

One way that might occur, is if we ask Dennis to ask for a meeting. If they are unwilling to meet, then Dennis could continue to bring up privileged resolutions until they agree to discuss this in an open and above board manner.

That's just a thought, perhaps their are other ways to accomplish a "summit" as well?

Their districts were already represented by people who were very good at doing that. Those people—Republicans—LOST because their constituents hate Bush and were unhappy their fawning, ass-licking performance in Congress. This is so obvious it should pretty much go without saying. No, what we've got here is nudge-wink politics, yes Cheney's bad (ha ha!) but no, we're not going to actually DO anything about it because aren't we all really in the same club, after all, and we've got to concentrate on setting the table for '08, don't you stupid liberals understand anything? All of which would be fine, IMO, except that I'd bet you even-up that Cheney's planning to suspend those '08 elections given a timely excuse, along with the rest of the Constitution that these gutless fools allegedly swore to uphold. Christ on a cracker--what are they afraid of?

And like the GOP Senators, the "freshman congressman" need to be put on the spot to vote up or down on torture and war crimes. We can ask them all a simple question: Why Does "Our Side" Get to Benefit From Ongoing Torture?.

Also, his "precedent" argument is bogus. The public/electorate is way ahead of Congress on this impeachment.

But the real problem is his claim that what others may or may not do somehow relieves everyone of their oath to ACT to defend the Constitution. The defeatist notion that fear of unsuccessful result is somehow a justification for inaction. They repeat many of these false meme mantras to themselves, just to keep their heads up their a well, in the sand let's say.

A failed impeachment -- even if killed by frightened House frosh -- would still be a formal objection/accusation that would send a message to the world, to history, and to our children that someone stood against the war criminals.

Failure to impeach is complicity -- approval -- exoneration of the regime.

For more help on dealing with the "beltway-blinded" you might also want to review this PDF file pamphlet: "Talking Impeachment in a Foreign Land (the DC Beltway)"

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if they move on Impeachment. They will only benefit. They all need to hear that. Freshman and Leadership.

Arizona

Harry Mitchell
AZ- 5th
Harry Mitchell Campaign
P.O. Box 23748
Tempe, AZ 85285
Election Results: Defeated J. D. Hayworth by over 8,000 votes Committees: Science and Technology, Transportation and Infrastructure, Veterans’ Affairs

Gabrielle Giffords
AZ- 8th
Giffords for Congress
P.O. Box 27565
Tucson, AZ 85726
Election Results: Defeated Randy Graf 54%-42%-
Committees: Armed Services, Foreign Affairs, Science and Technology

California

Jerry McNerney
CA- 11th
McNerney for Congress Committee
PO BOX 12022
Pleasanton, CA 94588
Election Results: Defeated Richard Pombo 53%-47%
Committees: Science and Technology, Transportation and Infrastructure, Veterans’ Affairs

COLORADO

Ed Perlmutter
CO- 7th
Perlmutter For Congress
2545 Youngfield Street
Golden, CO 80401
Election Results: Defeated Rick O’Donnell 55%-42%
Committees: Financial Services, Homeland Security

CONNETICUT

Joe Courtney
CT- 2nd
Courtney for Congress
P.O. Box 1372
Vernon, CT 06066
Election Results: 83-vote victory over Rob Simmons
Committees: Education and Labor, House Armed Services


Chris Murphy
CT- 5th
P.O. Box 127
Cheshire, CT 06410

Election Results: Defeated Nancy Johnson 56%-44%
Committees: Financial Services, Oversight and Government Reform

FLORIDA

Kathy Castor
FL- 11th
Castor for Congress
P.O. Box 5419
Tampa, FL 33675

Election Results: Defeated Eddie Adams 70%-30% Committees: Rules, House Armed Services

Tim Mahoney
FL- 16th
Tim Mahony for Congress P.O. Box 71373
Washington, D.C. 20024
Election Results: Defeated Joe Negron 50%-48%
Committees: Agriculture, Financial Services

Ron Klein
FL- 22nd
Klein for Congress
2385 Executive Center Drive Suite 100
Boca Raton, 33431
Election Results: Defeated E. Clay Shaw 51%-47%
Committees: Financial Services, Foreign Affairs

GEORGIA

Hank Johnson
GA- 4th
Hank Johnson for Congress
5240 Snapfinger Park Drive
Suite 140
Decatur, GA 30035
Election Results: Defeated Catherine Davis 78%-22%
Committees: Armed Services, Judiciary, Small Business

HAWAII

Mazie Hirono
HI- 2nd
Friends of Mazie Hirono
PO Box 677
Honolulu, HI 96809
Election Results: Defeated Bob Hogue 61%-39%
Committees: Education and Labor, Transportation and Infrastructure

ILLINIOS

Phil Hare
IL- 17th
313 17th Street
PO Box 4183
Rock Island IL 61204
Election Results: Defeated Andrea Zinga 57%-43%
Committees: Education and Labor, Veterans’ Affairs

INDIANA

Joe Donnelly
IN- 2nd
Donnelly for Congress
P.O. Box 1961
South Bend, IN 46634
Election Results: Defeated Chris Chocola 54%-46%
Committees: Financial Services, Agriculture, Veterans’ Affairs

Brad Ellsworth
IN- 8th
Ellsworth for Congress
PO Box 62
Evansville, IN 47708
Election Results: Defeated John Hostettler 61%- 39%
Committees: Agriculture, Armed Services, Small Business

Baron Hill
IN- 9th
The Committee to Bring Back Baron
PO Box 1071
Seymour, IN 47274
Election Results: Defeated Mike Sodrel 50%-46%
Committees: Energy and Commerce, Science and Technology

IOWA

Bruce Braley
IA- 1st
P.O. Box 390
Waterloo, IA 50704
Bruce Braley
Election Results: Defeated Mike Whalen 55%-43%
Committees: Transportation and Infrastructure, Oversight and Government Reform

David Loebsack
IA- 2nd
PO Box 1457
Iowa City, IA 52244
Election Results: Defeated Jim Leach 51%-49%
Committees: Armed Services, Education and Labor

KANSAS

Nancy Boyda
KS- 2nd
Nancy for Congress
PO Box 1474
Topeka, KS 66601-1474
Election Results: Defeated Jim Ryun 51%-41%
Committees: Armed Services, Agriculture

KENTUCKY

John Yarm
KY- 3rd
1815 Brownsboro Rd - Suite 100
Louisville, KY 40206
Election Results: Defeated Anne Northup 51%-48%
Committees: Education and Labor, Oversight and Government Reform

MARYLAND

John Sarbanes
MD- 3rd
John Sarbanes for Congress
Monica S. Henderson, Treasurer
3600 Clipper Mill Rd. Suite 107
Baltimore, MD 21211
Election Results: Defeated John White 65%-33%
Committees: Education and Labor, Oversight and Government Reform, Natural Resources

MINNASOTA

Keith Ellison CURRENT CO-SPONSOR OF HR #333
MN-5th
Ellison for Congress Committee P.O. Box 11818,
Minneapolis, MN 55411
Election Results: Defeated Alan Fine 56%-21%
Committees: Financial Services, Judiciary

Tim Walz
MN- 1st
Tim Walz for US Congress
PO Box 938
Mankato, Minnesota 56002

Election Results: Defeated Gil Gutknecht 53%-47%
Committees: Agriculture, Transportation and Infrastructure, Veterans’ Affairs

NEW HAMPSHIRE

Carol Shea-Porter
NH- 1st
PO Box 453
Rochester, NH 03866
Election Results: Defeated Jeb Bradley 52%-48%
Committees: Armed Services, Education and Labor

Paul Hodes
NH- 2nd
Paul Hodes for Congress
26 South Main Street #253
Concord, New Hampshire 03301
Election Results: Defeated Charles Bass 53%-46%
Committees: Financial Services, Oversight and Government Reform

NEW JERSEY

Albio Sires
NJ- 13th
PO Box 300
West New York, NJ 07093
Election Results: Defeated John Guarini 78%-19%
Committees: Financial Services, Foreign Affairs

NEW YORK

Michael Arcuri
NY-24th
Arcuri for Congress
P.O.Box 8508
Utica, NY 13505
Election Results: Defeated Ray Meier 54%- 45%
Committees: Transportation and Infrastructure, House Rules

Yvette Clarke
NY- 11th
Clarke for Congress
504 Flatbush Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11225
Election results: ran uncontested
Committees: Education and Labor, Homeland Security, Small Business

Kirsten Gillibrand
NY- 20th
Representative-Elect Kirsten Gillibrand
PO Box 1279
Hudson, NY 12534
Election Results: Defeated John Sweeney 53%-47%
Committees: Armed Services, Agriculture

John Hall
NY- 19th
John Hall for Congress
PO BOX 274
Hopewell Junction, NY 12533
Election Results: Defeated Sue Kelly 51%-49%
Committees: Transportation and Infrastructure, Veterans’ Affairs

NORTH CAROLINA

Heath Shuler
NC- 11th
Heath Shuler for Congress
PO Box 97
Hazelwood NC 28738
Election Results: Defeated Charles Taylor 54%-46%
Committees: Natural Resources, Small Business, Transportation and Infrastructure

OHIO

Zachary Space
OH- 18th
714 North Wooster Avenue
Dover, OH 44622
Election Results: Defeated Joy Padgett 62%-38%
Committees: Agriculture, Transportation and Infrastructure, Veterans’ Affairs

Betty Sutton
OH- 13th
Betty Sutton for Congress
1700 W. Market Street, #155
Akron, OH 44313
Election Results: Defeated Craig Foltin 61%-39%
Committees: Budget, Rules

Charles Wilson
OH- 6th
800 Main Street
Bridgeport, Ohio 43912
Election Results: Defeated Charles Blasdel 62%-38%
Committees: Financial Services, Science and Technology

PENNSYLVANIA

Jason Altmire
PA-4th
Citizens for Altmire
P.O. Box 1776
Freedom, PA 15042
Election Results: Defeated Melissa Hart 52%-48%
Committees: Education and Labor, Transportation and Infrastructure

Chris Carney
PA- 10th
Carney for Congress
P.O. Box A
Clarks Summit, PA 18411
Election Results: Defeated Don Sherwood 53%-47% Committees: Transportation and Infrastructure, Homeland Security

Joe Sestak
PA- 7th
PO Box 16
Media, Pennsylvania 19063
Election Results: Defeated Curt Weldon 57%-43%
Committees: Armed Services, Education and Labor, Small Business

Patrick Murphy
PA- 8th
Patrick Murphy for Congress PO Box 868
Levittown, PA 19058-0868
Election Results: Defeated Mike Fitzpatrick 50%-50%
Committees: Armed Services, Intelligence

TENNESEE

Steve Cohen
TN- 9th
707 Adams Ave.
Memphis, TN 38105
Election Results: Defeated Mark White 60%-22%
Committees: House Judiciary, Transportation and Infrastructure

TEXAS

Ciro Rodriguez
TX- 23rd
246 West Harding
San Antonio, TX
Election Results: Defeated Henry Bonilla in a runoff election 54%-46%
Committees: Appropriations, Veterans’ Affairs

Nick Lampson
TX- 22nd
Lampson for Congress
P.O. Box 58606
Houston, Texas 77258-8606
Election Results: Defeated Shelly Sekula-Gibbs 52%-42%
Committees: Agriculture, Science and Technology, Transportation and Infrastructure

VERMOUNT
Peter Walsh
VT- At Large
Welch for Congress
P.O. Box 1086
Montpelier, VT 05601
Election Results: Defeated Martha Rainville 53%-45%
Committees: Oversight and Government Reform, Rules

WISCONSIN
Steve Kagen
WI- 8th
Kagen 4 Congress
100 W. College Ave.
Appleton, WI 54911
Election Results: Defeated John Gard 51%-49%
Committees: Agriculture, Transportation and Infrastructure


http://www.democraticfreshmen.org/index.php?option=com_frontpage&Itemid=1

Impeachment. I even went so far as to send him a pocket copy of the Constitution.
Hall is declining at this point to support Impeachment. He is on Karl Rove's hit list and I believe afraid to stir the waters as his margin of victory was so small in the district. I also have a suspicion that Emanuel has gotten to him.

From Firedoglake
http://www.firedoglake.com/2007/09/07/rahm-emanuels-war/

Renner’s work was well researched and didn’t go into other races that paint an even worse picture of Rahm’s role. Many of the ones he didn’t address involved the eventual progressive winners who were opposed by Rahm but won anyway, and who want to get along with Rahm now– such as John Hall who Rahm opposed in the primary in favor of an establishment “centrist.” Hall beat her and then went on to win the seat against a Republican incumbent in a red district and votes as though he represents a blue district.