NC-11: Shuler ♥ Cheney?

The Asheville Citizen-Times ran this letter to the editor this morning, a telling indicator of Congressman Shuler's dwindling progressive support in the 11th District:

Polls show a majority of Americans favor impeachment of Vice President Dick Cheney for deceptions and abuses of power. However, Rep. Heath Shuler still supports the vice president. Shuler refuses to co-sign Articles of Impeachment against Cheney.

We, the people, cannot impeach. The Constitution gives sole power of impeachment to the House, actually requiring legislators to impeach a vice president for high crimes. Shuler is aware of Cheney’s crimes, yet will not co-sign, thinking that Cheney enjoys our confidence. Shuler looks the other way as the vice-president claims he is above the law. As long as Shuler neglects his oath of office, Cheney will escalate abuses of power. Sixteen patriotic Congress members have co-sponsored the resolution.

If those in high office are not held to account for unjust actions, then the document drafted to ensure justice is dead. If Shuler is unwilling to hold those in high office to account, as the Constitution prescribes, then he should also be removed from office.

Comments

Shuler is out of our District

but we came to Hendersonville to work in his behalf and spent a goodly sum on food lodging and creating promotional materials that were, at the time, better than hiw own. I'm done with Shuler. I'm done with anyone who is a Blue PIG Dog and with those who say one thing and then vote differently and whose responsiveness to issues (like the OLF) lags even Burr and Dole.

SE NC Dems

Stan Bozarth

I worked very hard for him, too

He's surrounded by people who don't respect progressive Democrats in the 11th. He's actually hired homophobes and nasty, sexist types in prominent positions. These folk kept low profile during the election but once I saw who he'd hired locally, I knew it was gonna get ugly.

Of course, from his campaign talk, there was no indication he would be voting with the President and against gay rights. Even with Republicans, he's going to have to answer for that next year.
 
News of the 10th district: See Pat Go Bye Bye,

Realism...

Anybody polled Heath's district on this? My guess is that the percentage favoring impeachment would be lower. And the percentage ranking impeachment among their top priorities is probably even lower. The fact is, Shuler wasn't elected on a platform of impeachment. He ran as an independent, conservative Democrat, and that's what his constituents expect. I disagree with him quite a bit, but I think he probably does represent his district on this and most other issues.

Impeachment is the least of my problems.

I can't stand that he voted for illegal eavesdropping. I just read The Prodigal Spy by Joseph Kanon, the author of Los Alamos. It is all about the red scare and the hearings, and it all started with Hoover's FBI wiretapping and collecting data on EVERYONE - then sifting through it to find those who were "guilty". And, those who they thought were guilty, but weren't? Tough.

Seems like we are on our way back to something like that now, if another Republican gets elected I think we will be living in a police state.

As for Shuler, his vote on Stem Cells was were he lost my support. I still won't oppose him, but he has surely lost any aid, donations, online activism, phone calls, etc. Then again, I'm sure he realizes he doesn't need us, incumbents win 99% of the time and the "netroots" isn't going to target a Dem seat in a so-so district.

One of the pitfalls of childhood is that one doesn't have to understand something to feel it. - Carlos Ruiz Zafon

Jesus Swept ticked me off. Too short. I loved the characters and then POOF it was over.
-me

Judging from his last two votes.........

I believe Heath Shuler is well on his way to abandoning the Democratic party and it's principles.

I also believe that he feels his hand in the Democratic Party will be strengthened as a result.

The very sad thing is.....I also believe he may be right about that. So very sad.

" I am not bound to win, I am bound to be true. I am not bound to succeed, but I am bound to live up to the light I have"

Abraham Lincoln

Marshall Adame
2014 U.S. Congress Candidate NC-03

I think it makes it clear...

that he was WILLING to stand up and fight against it, but that he thought it would hurt him at home. It's really an age-old struggle of voting for what you believe in, or what you believe your constituency wants. In most cases, it seems to me, that your constituency elects you to do what is right. They count on you.

Now, of course sometimes you might have your mind changed for you, that is what being a good person is all about, being open to change. But, WANTING one thing and giving in to something else. That seems weak. Especially since he didn't need the cover, Republicans won handily.

One of the pitfalls of childhood is that one doesn't have to understand something to feel it. - Carlos Ruiz Zafon

Jesus Swept ticked me off. Too short. I loved the characters and then POOF it was over.
-me

BooMan

reams Heath a new one, especially in comparison to Murphy.

It's called "Two profiles in Courage" and ends this way

[quoting WaPo's EJ Dionne:]

Most Democrats opposed the bill, but 41 (including Shuler) voted yes, allowing it to pass. (Murphy remained passionately opposed.)

I am proud of Patrick Murphy and I am ashamed of Heath Shuler, who knew better and, yet, acted like a coward. These are two profiles in courage. One man kept his, the other did not.

 
News of the 10th district: See Pat Go Bye Bye,