Regardless of your opinion on impeachment, I think it will happen

I'm going to take out my crystal ball and say that I think impeachment is going to happen. Bush has already admitted openly to illegal activity: Wire tapping, secret prisons, etc. He has admitted to gross incompetence: No WMD found. I also think evidence that has already been uncovered will bring about the charge of deliberate misrepresentation and cherry picking of intelligence to push for war.

One thing we ALL agree on here (A rarity, to say the least) is that investigations should start. Who here really thinks those investigations will lead to nothing? We already KNOW this administration has committed impeachable offenses. Investigations will just make it official! It'll all come out and I don't see how it can be stopped.

Sure, you could say the Democrats just won't push for it. But I don't see how that can possibly happen. I don't think the Democrats would risk NOT impeaching after the investigations reveal, officially, that the president committed impeachable offenses. Furthermore, I think when it becomes official, the people will support it. The people will demand impeachment and if the Democrats don't do it, they'll look weak. Maybe I'm being naive, but it at least LOOKS like the people have finally woken up regarding this president. His idiot cowboy shtick doesn't work anymore.

Maybe it's all wishful thinking on my part...

I am a little (lot?) more cynical regarding the sheeple, but I'm always hoping to be wrong in my prediction regarding what they will do when confronted with reality.

must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants.

-- Thomas Jefferson

...you will know that you are correct. I think the GOP will demand it first, otherwise they will surely lose in '08

The GOP impeaching Bush is really the only thing they can run on, that will attract voters.

edited for spelling

resignation!

and it will come from us pressuring them to do so

My big fear is rushing into it. If it's built up properly, there can be no errors.

that we have smart reps now. I think it brilliant if they keep saying "no impeachment" but in the meantime expose every hideous working of this admin. Then the people will demand impeachment, and it will look as though the reps have only one choice but to do the peoples will. If this is the plan then i can wait.

I saw a poll last week that a full 45% already support impeachment. I can only imagine how far that number will go up AFTER investigations...

If the Democrats in the House and Senate play the investigations right the public will demand Bush's removal from office. However they must not overplay their hand and assure some dramatic committee hearings.

They could pull it off but I wouldn't bet on it.

First, nothing overt is gonna begin before January. In reality, make that maybe May. Second, any credible investigatin can easily take a year. Or more. Think Iran-Contra. Think Watergate. Think Whitewater, or 9-11 or whatever. Good investigatin or bad, they take a long time. Would anyone seriously contemplate BEGINNING impeachment proceedings when Bush has 6 months left in office? You'd have to be nuts. Wht DOES make a lot f sense is to have those investigations & start dumping the results into the public eye in about July or August 2008 & keep on dumping. A revelation a day keeps the Puggies at bay.

what happens when a "world leader" starts an unprovoked war?

and then Bush is off to the Hague

While most DUers realize the constitutional basis for impeachment, the average voter does not. Public support is absolutely essential. Otherwise, it will not only be a political disaster, it will serve to falsely exonerate Bush. The penalty of removal from office pales compared to the risks.

This is not the same as taking a "make nice" approach. It's trying to find the best course of action. Impeachment will monopolize the attention and energy of everyone in DC for many months. It will sideline everything else the Democrats are trying to accomplish. Pelosi knows that.

Now, IF there are major new developments coming out of an investigation, then all bets are off.