quote:Originally posted by themax:
And Mott's question remains unanswered. What is impeachment?
I'll step in the batters box and take a swing:
Impeachment is nothing more than an indictment upon someone (President or whomever) by the U.S. House of Representatives. Charges are drawn up, the House votes. Majority rules. The person is then impeached (happened only twice: Andrew Johnson in 1868 I believe, Bill Klinton in 1998). Then, the impeached person is tried in the Senate with the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court as the Senate trial judge, in session. Again, majority rules. If the majority rules the impeached person guilty, then that person is removed from office. Andrew Johnson was 1 vote away from being removed from office. Bill Klinton's trial happened, but he was not voted out of office.
Again, it is either majority rule or 2/3 rule of vote in the Senate to remove someone from office. The House impeachment proceedings do not remove one from office.
Think of it like this: the House is like a Grand Jury- they determine if charges are warranted. Impeached is akin to indicted. The Senate is the trial, and find the defendant/impeached one guilty or not.
I find it amuzing: "We must impeach (whomeever)" and they think that will remove someone from office. Nope, does not. Too many Americans, sadly, do not know the Constitution at all.....I carry a small copy of the Constitution, Bill of Rights with Amendments, and Declaration of Independence all the time. I received this copy from the American Legion when I attended Boys State in 1989. It is our country, our government. To not know what it is about or how it is run is a shame and disgrace.