[Texgreen] Grant County (NM) Dems endorse Bush impeachment

[margaret]

[Support for the state resolution was brought before county Democrats=20
by Kyle Johnson, who is registered with the Green Party.]


http://www.scsun-news.com/news/ci_5197003%20

Grant County Dems endorse Bush impeachment
By Levi Hill Sun-News bureau chief
Article Launched: 02/10/2007 01:00:00 AM MST

SILVER CITY =97 The Grant County Democratic Party has signed a =
resolution=20
in support of New Mexico Senate Joint Resolution 5, which calls on=20
Congress to commence an investigation and impeachment proceedings=20
against President George Bush and Vice President Richard Cheney.

The move by county Democrats was debated by those who attended a=20
Wednesday meeting. But Matt Runnels, chairman of the Grant County=20
Democratic Party, said the resolution simply confirms what was done at=20=

the state Democratic convention last March.

"It was local activists getting out and expressing their opinion and=20
using democracy to their advantage," Runnels said.

But the local and state resolutions beg the question of the role state=20=

government should take in national affairs. Runnels said Grant County's=20=

role is one of bolstering support.

"It will show Sen. (Ben) Altamirano and some of our other state=20
legislators that the Democratic Party of Grant County is supporting=20
that resolution," Runnels said.

The first hearing of the state resolution was supposed to be Friday,=20
but it was postponed a week, until 8:30 a.m. Feb. 16.

Support for the state resolution was brought before county Democrats by=20=

Kyle Johnson, who is registered with the Green Party. Johnson brought=20
the issue before the party as a form of reassertion for the actions=20
taken at the state Democratic convention last year.

Johnson said the provision for impeaching a president is not limited to=20=

the federal government and could be initiated at the state level. He=20
said several states have tried to pass a resolution calling for=20
impeachment, but have failed. "Things can originate in a state=20
legislature," Johnson said. "It has not been used to impeach a=20
president yet, but has been used for federal judges."

Johnson said he believes that the state resolution is a mechanism and,=20=

once passed, will go to Congress, where the House of Representatives=20
must open a limited debate on the issue. "Once it passes, it can then=20
be conveyed to the U.S. Congress by any congressman or senator," he=20
said.

Gilbert Gallegos, spokesman for Gov. Bill Richardson, said if the=20
resolution passes it will not have to go to the governor for a final=20
approval.

Gallegos said the resolution would probably have to go before the=20
voters for final approval if it passes the Legislature. But that would=20=

not happen until 2008, when Bush's term ends.

Grant County Republicans are frowning on the resolution.

"It is inappropriate for the state to play a role in that process and=20
we need to look at taking positive, constructive actions not=20
destructive actions," said Diana Garretson, chairwoman of the Grant=20
County Republican Party.

Garretson added the state should focus on issues closer to home and so=20=

should county parties.

"If we take care of our government here, the clean-up is going to=20
filter up," she said. "My concern is local government, because that is=20=

what we can make a dent in."

She added the impeachment of Bush is finger-pointing and the issue is=20
about more than one man.

"If they want to impeach someone, impeach all the Democrats who voted=20
for the war. Collectively, we made a mistake," she said.

Johnson said it is the duty of elected officials to uphold and defend=20
the Constitution and the impeachment of Bush would have a wide effect.

"When people take an oath of office, that oath contains language that=20
says they will uphold and protect and defend the Constitution of the=20
United States," Johnson said. "The policies being applied (by the Bush=20=

Administration) undermine and offend all Americans. There is no valid=20
argument on whether we should or should not. It is of vital importance=20=

in regard to all other issues."

Many Grant County residents agreed with the resolution and do not see a=20=

problem with the state getting involved.

"I think yes because it is the people that vote and the people have a=20
right to a voice. Every state should have a role in that process,"=20
Valerie Trujillo said.

Helen Francis said, "Yes I think so. I don't think it has to be=20
either/or. I think we can do both and in this case we should do both."

But not everyone agreed the state should take a role in seeking=20
impeachment.

"It is not fair at this time," said Bill Massengill. "We have to give=20
(the president's) new thing a chance. It may be wrong, but we have got=20=

to give him a chance."


Levi Hill can be reached at lhill@scsun-news.com=