7/8/07: This morning on ABC’s This Week, House Judiciary Committee Chairman John Conyers (D-MI), who has previously declared impeachment “off the table”, brought up the results of the recent American Research Group poll showing that nearly
half of Americans want the House of Representatives to begin impeachment proceedings against President Bush, and 54 percent favor impeachment hearings for Vice President Cheney.
Transcript:
STEPHANOPOULOS: One of those individuals is the former
White House deputy political director, Sara Taylor. Her lawyer wrote a
letter yesterday saying that she wants to testify, but the White House
won’t let her.In that case, who would you hold in contempt, the individual or the White House? Her lawyers think she wants to testify.
CONYERS: Well, I certainly wouldn’t hold her in contempt. And we”re
in negotiations with Mr. Fielding in the White House. We”re hoping that
as the cries for the removal of both Cheney and Bush now reach 46
percent and 58 percent, respectively, for impeachment that we could
begin to become a little bit more cooperative, if not amicable, in
trying to get to the truth of these matters.We have so much more work to do, George, as you know. And we keep
getting stalled. They keep pressing us. We”re seeking cooperation. This
is not partisan in any way whatsoever. I would have the same attitude
if it were a Democratic president.STEPHANOPOULOS: Congressman, we”re just about out of time. But I’m
surprised you put impeachment on the table there. Are you open to
pursuing that?CONYERS: No, I didn’t put impeachment on the table. I was just
telling you that 46 percent of the American people polled want Bush
impeached, and 58 percent want Cheney impeached. I’m saying”STEPHANOPOULOS: But not you?
CONYERS: They”re saying that we could – we could move – no, well, if
I – if I wanted impeachment, I would probably be on your program next
Sunday.STEPHANOPOULOS: OK. Well, Mr. Chairman, thank you very much.
Watch the video at http://thinkprogress.org/2007/07/08/conyers-impeachment/.