A new CNN/ORC International poll shows one third of Americans believe President Obama should be impeached and removed from office. That figure includes 57% of Republicans, 35% of independents, and 13% of Democrats. On radio this morning, Glenn reacted to the new poll numbers.
The CNN/ORC poll was conducted between July 18 and July 20. The poll asked telephone respondents: “Based on what you have read or heard, do you believe that President Obama should be impeached and removed from office, or don't you feel that way?” The results showed:
Should be impeached 33%
Don’t feel that way 65%
No opinion 1%
While 33% is by no means a plurality, Glenn found the partisan breakdown, which included 13% of Democrats supporting impeachment, to be interesting.
“Can you look up the polls on where the Democrats were on the impeachment of Bill Clinton? That didn't work because the longer that went on, the more people got tired of the Monica Lewinsky thing,” Glenn said. “This is actually gathering steam because the more things he does against the Constitution that, you know, people who understand the Constitution and understand separation of powers understand that any president that is doing what this guy should be doing should be impeached.”
Glenn believes the Democrats who support impeachment understand it doesn’t necessarily mean the president is removed from office, instead it is an investigation and trial surrounding any wrongdoing.
“There should be a trial on this, not necessarily removed from office. That's the verdict,” Glenn explained. “‘Do you impeach him?’ That means do you have a trial in the Senate, and see if what he's doing is right or wrong. I know an investigation is never going to happen because there's too many weasels, too many people that don't care about the Constitution, and the American people don't know the Constitution."
The general lack of knowledge about the Constitution was evident in the response to survey question 41, which asked: "In general, do you think Congress should attempt to impeach a President in order to express dissatisfaction with his policies or the way the president is handling his job, or do you think Congress should attempt impeachment only if there is evidence that the president has committed a very serious crime such as treason, bribery or other high crimes and misdemeanors?"
Express dissatisfaction 18%
Only serious crimes 79%
Never impeach (vol.) 1%
No opinion 2%
“The Constitution calls for high crimes and misdemeanors. That's what it is,” Pat said of impeachment. “Not treason or bribery, but high crimes and misdemeanors.”
“So in other words. If you want to abide by the Constitution, then it’s high crimes or misdemeanors,” Glenn concluded. “A plurality of Americans, 45%, believe Obama has gone too far in expanding his power. 30% said the President has been right in the terms of presidential powers. 22% said he hasn't gone far enough. 22% of Americans think he hasn't gone far enough! What kind of all-powerful president do you want? Don't answer that question, please.”
See the full poll results HERE.
Front page image courtesy of the AP
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