by Martin W. Schwartz

Created on: January 26, 2007   Last Updated: April 27, 2007

George W. Bush has not been impeached YET for two reasons. First and foremost, he has not committed a "high crime or misdemeanor" which are the only offenses specified in the U.S Constitution for which an impeachment of a president may be initiated. Being dumb, arrogant, unable to take advice, incompetent or incapable of admitting wrong, are not things envisioned by the Framers of the Constitution when they wrote the impeachment provisions. Until Mr. Bush can be shown to have violated a specific law, or at least probable cause that he has done so, there are no grounds for impeachment.

Contrast this with Bill Clinton who lied under oath (perjury) or Andrew Johnson who ignored a law passed by Congress (although it was later found to be unconstitutional after his acquittal in the Senate), and you can understand why they were impeached and why Nixon would have been had he not resigned. Until Mr. Bush can be charged with a similar offense, his conduct, however reprehensible it might be, is not something for which he may be impeached.

A second reason why Mr. Bush will likely not be impeached, is the alternative if he is convicted in the Senate and removed - President Dick Cheney. Better the Devil you know!

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