The third-ranked House Democrat is giving voters an ultimatum: elect us to a majority in the House or Republicans will impeach President Barack Obama.
South Carolina Rep. James Clyburn told reporters that Speaker John Boehner’s lawsuit against Obama a “precursor to impeachment” and declared that the only way to avoid that outcome is to put Democrats in control.
“If the Republicans maintain control of the House, Barack Obama will be impeached. There were 225 votes for this lawsuit — well beyond the 218 that’s needed to impeach. That’s my expectation. I hope I’m wrong. But I don’t think so,” Clyburn said, in audio posted by the South Carolina Radio Network.
He added: “They would just love to be able to open the history books years from now and say, yeah he may have been the first African-American president, but he was also an impeached president.”
Democrats are hyping instances of House Republicans floating or sympathizing with the prospect of impeachment, seeking to fundraise off the prospect. Boehner insists the GOP has no plans to impeach Obama.
Generally I vote for democrats. But having said that … I do not respond well to threats or ultimatums. Even if they are from someone I respect.
He ain’t wrong. We won’t win back the House. But if we did, that’d shut down impeachment, cold. I didn’t hear it as a threat or ultimatum.
If wishes were fishes, we would all be casting nets.
I think we can make some headway, but I don’t think we are quite there yet for taking back the House. 2016 is my bet for that.
If is an “interesting” story developing, however. Boehner introduces the lawsuit, and in the same breath brings up the impeachment word. And proceeds to do so every time its brought up.
And then when Democrats point that out…republicans immediately accuse Dems of using it as a political weapon.
Sahil? This word “ultimatum?” It does not mean what you seem to think it means.
In diplomacy, an “ultimatum” is threat to declare war if a demand is not met. In common parlance, an ultimatum is a threat to do a thing if a demand is not met.
This is not an “ultimatum.” It is a prediction about future actions of persons over whom he, the Democrats, or for that matter, Boehner, have no control. It may or may not be accurate, it may or not be hyperbolic and it may or may not be melodramatic. But it is not an ultimatum, nor does it contain any threat.
Not an “ultimatum,” nor is it a threat. It is merely a warning about what he thinks other people will do in the future if given the chance.