Gateway Pundit says it best: “The Republicans outmaneuver the Pelosi Congress.” Yesterday, Rep. Dennis Kucinich took his resolution to impeach Cheney to the House floor. Rep. Steny Hoyer attempted to table the resolution, which, if passed, would have killed it. But the tables turned on the Democrats. Jonathan E. Kaplan from The Hill reports: “The vote to kill Kucinch’s privileged resolution began as a largely party-line affair, but halfway through the vote, Rep. John Shadegg (R-Ariz.) persuaded Republican leaders to get rank-and-file GOP lawmakers to change their votes to force the debate.” Of course, once the Republicans began switching their votes, Democrats did, too, and the resolution was NOT tabled. Now, the resolution will go to the House Judiciary Committee for review. No, Republicans aren’t trying to impeach Cheney! Bloggers agree that this was a crafty move to outsmart the Democrats and embarass the leadership, which already faces extremely low approval ratings. Brian Faughnan and Michelle Malkin covered yesterday’s “circus,” to use Malkin’s words. Jules Crittenden has coverage today, too. Mike Carney at OnDeadline noted why this is so detrimental to the Dems: “Debate over Cheney’s impeachment is in direct opposition to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s wishes. She has repeatedly said an impeachment of Cheney or President Bush is off the table. Thus, failing to table this measure is a essentially a jab in Pelosi’s ribs.” California Conservative agrees, adding, “This is the Democrats’ worst nightmare. With this vote, the Nutter base of the Democratic Party will demand action. In fact, they’ll demand the House Judiciary Committee to pass articles of impeachment against Cheney.” Some of the Democrats are really mad at the liberal “Nutroots.” In fact, Roll Call reports today: “‘For them it’s about politics and scoring cheap political points. In the end, this issue was disposed of,’ said Pelosi spokesman Nadeam Elshami, referring to a subsequent vote by the House to refer the bill to the Judiciary Committee, where it is expected to languish.” Don Surber reports the “line of the day” from Democratic Rep. Alcee Hastings: “‘Dennis Kucinich is on a quest of his own. He sees flying saucers and he acts like one, too.” And Hoyer continues to insist that impeachment isn’t part of the leadership’s agenda, but QandO says,
