I was interested to see some poll results conducted by the American Research Group. (Kudos to my friend Mark for pointing them out)
The discovered that respondents were almost even split (45% yes, 46% no) on whether the House should begin impeachment proceedings against President Bush and that a majority (54%) believed they should do so against Vice-President Cheney.
64% of all respondents disapproved of President Bush's commutation of Scooter Libby's prison time and 84% would oppose an eventual pardon for the vice-president's former chief of staff.
Apparently, most Americans don't buy the administration's mind-numbing Snow Job that the commutations 'strengthen the rule of law and increase public faith in government.'
Not surprisingly Democrats tended to support impeachment and oppose the clemency for Libby with vice versa being true for Republicans.
Bush obtained a massive 27% overall approval rating (67% disapproval).
But what interests me is the tendency among independents (by which I presume the pollsters include BOTH members of smaller parties and members of no party).
A majority of independents support impeachment for both Bush (50% for, 30% against) and Cheney (51% for, 29% against).
Independents are actually MORE opposed to Libby's commutation than Democrats (80% to 76%).
Independents are significantly MORE opposed to a potential pardon for the convicted felon than Democrats (97% to 82%).
Some have criticized House Speaker Nancy Pelosi for taking impeachment 'off the table.' It was a political decision, not a justice-related one. Can you blame her? The cardinal rule of politics is that when your opponent is commiting suicide, stay out of the way.
The fact that such a huge portion of independents have turned against Bush and Cheney has to be a serious worry for the 2008 GOP presidential contenders.
It also demonstrates that dissatisfaction with everything about the administration can hardly be blamed on partisan Democrats.
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