While its does seem more and more likely that The Dick will be thrown out on his ass in favor of a more electable VP, I can’t for the life of me see how he could be impeached. In the case of the presidential impeachment the Chief Justice presides over the Senate. In all other cases the constitution makes no exceptions, the President of the Senate presides; and guess who that is.
You're right Viv, and it's a fascinating possibility. However, here's what Wikipedia has to say:
"Otherwise, the Vice President, in his capacity as President of the Senate, or the President pro tempore of the Senate presides. This may include the impeachment of the Vice President, although legal theories suggest that allowing a person to be the judge in the case where she or he was the defendant wouldn't be permitted. If the Vice President did not preside over an impeachment (of someone other than the President), the duties would fall to the President Pro Tempore."
The PPT is Robert Byrd. I read his most recent book. I think he would do FINE.
I’d like to know where wiki is getting that from. It’s, unfortunately, not cited. I had not seen that and was going from a strait reading of the constitution which does not, explicitly anyways, anywhere allow for the Senate pro tempore to preside during impeachments. I can’t imagine that there is any case law on the topic; as far as I know, no VP has ever mattered enough to impeach.
What the hell could you even do about it anyway if The Dick wouldn’t back down about presiding? Impeachment is the great exception to jury trials in the constitution. There are no appeals and all procedural issues are handled by whoever is presiding.
If I had to take a guess, I’d say it never occurred to the founders. The Office of the VP is pretty well understood to have been kinda “tossed” in at the last minute and was not well thought out. If my memory of Madison’s notes is correct, the VP’s office didn’t even exist in any of the original proposals the convention started with.
It all seems like very murky water. I doubt either party would let it get to that point. Honestly I think the best we can hope for is that he is kicked out on his ass and lives long enough to be tried at some future, hopefully more sane, political environment.
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And so it begins. Buck up, Dems, and put on some jock straps, you're going to need them.
How many times are you guys going to fall for the 'Lucy and Charlie Brown football' scene?
Lucy and Charlie Brown football' scene 24 sec in...
While its does seem more and more likely that The Dick will be thrown out on his ass in favor of a more electable VP, I can’t for the life of me see how he could be impeached. In the case of the presidential impeachment the Chief Justice presides over the Senate. In all other cases the constitution makes no exceptions, the President of the Senate presides; and guess who that is.
You're right Viv, and it's a fascinating possibility. However, here's what Wikipedia has to say:
"Otherwise, the Vice President, in his capacity as President of the Senate, or the President pro tempore of the Senate presides. This may include the impeachment of the Vice President, although legal theories suggest that allowing a person to be the judge in the case where she or he was the defendant wouldn't be permitted. If the Vice President did not preside over an impeachment (of someone other than the President), the duties would fall to the President Pro Tempore."
The PPT is Robert Byrd. I read his most recent book. I think he would do FINE.
I’d like to know where wiki is getting that from. It’s, unfortunately, not cited. I had not seen that and was going from a strait reading of the constitution which does not, explicitly anyways, anywhere allow for the Senate pro tempore to preside during impeachments. I can’t imagine that there is any case law on the topic; as far as I know, no VP has ever mattered enough to impeach.
What the hell could you even do about it anyway if The Dick wouldn’t back down about presiding? Impeachment is the great exception to jury trials in the constitution. There are no appeals and all procedural issues are handled by whoever is presiding.
If I had to take a guess, I’d say it never occurred to the founders. The Office of the VP is pretty well understood to have been kinda “tossed” in at the last minute and was not well thought out. If my memory of Madison’s notes is correct, the VP’s office didn’t even exist in any of the original proposals the convention started with.
It all seems like very murky water. I doubt either party would let it get to that point. Honestly I think the best we can hope for is that he is kicked out on his ass and lives long enough to be tried at some future, hopefully more sane, political environment.
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