Portland Demands that Congressman Blumenauer Push for Bush Impeachment

Congressman Earl Blumenauer hosted a town hall yesterday at the Hollywood Theatre in Portland, Oregon. Blumenauer constituents as well as vocal Democratic and Liberal activists attended the open forum. A common theme of many of those who spoke directly to the Congressman, the Democratic Representative from Oregon's Third District, was that of impeachment proceedings against President Bush and Vice-President Cheney.

The focus of Blumenauer's Town Hall was an "Oregon Declaration of Peace." Blumenauer signed a large placard that read that he "commit[s] to support publicly the establishment of a comprehensive plan for a rapid end to the US war and occupation in Iraq." The pledge continued with the promise that Blumenauer "will vote no on any appropriations bill that would continue US military operations in Iraq."

The town hall began with the Congressman signing the pledge in front of the near-capacity crowd. Maggie Portofino of US Military Families Speak Out gave a brief introduction to the pledge and read it aloud for those in attendance. Blumenauer has indicated that this placard will be placed outside of his Washington office.

Blumenauer was the only member of the Oregon Congressional Delegation who was in attendance. He is also the only Oregon politician to publicly sign such a pledge. Blumenauer's voting record for Defense Department appropriations is a mixed bag, as he did vote twice in approval of an appropriations bills last year that earmarked more spending on military operations in both Iraq and Afghanistan (HR 5631, voted yes on 06/20/2006 and 9/26/2006).

Everyone was invited to sign up for a two-minute speaking slot, and upwards of forty people were given time to speak directly to Congressman Blumenauer. Some came with prepared statements addressing concerns over the Bush and Cheney Administration, but other topics and issues included the upcoming vote on the Peru Free Trade Agreement and the housing market troubles.

One impassioned woman, a Portland resident since the 1950's, asked, "Where has my country gone?" Many people expressed their disenchantment with the US government and Blumenauer in particular. Several people called the Congressman and all the Democrats in the House and Senate "cowards" and "spineless." A few people accused the Democratic Party member of being more concerned with their political lives, rather than the lives of US troops and civilians in Iraq.

One man, who introduced himself as a Veteran, was upset that he spent eight years defending the Constitution, only to have President Bush call it a "piece of paper." His comments brought a huge response from the crowd. Another Veteran accused Senate Leader Nancy Pelosi of having negotiated a secret deal to take Impeachment off the table. Others accused Pelosi of going so far as to making a deal with the devil.

A woman coming from Washington State called for the impeachment of Bush for his obstructionist tactics. Another gave an example of those tactics as the Bush's threatened veto of a bill that calls for universal healthcare coverage for children in the US. One person questioned how Bushy could ask Congress for $200 billion for continued operations in Iraq, but publicly says he will veto the child healthcare bill that will cost a comparatively paltry $7 billion.

The Town Hall ended with a woman asking the audience (many of whom were wearing red t-shirts with IMPEACH in white block letters) to stand up if they support impeachment proceedings against Bush. Everyone that could stand did, and then she urged the crowd to clap to really drive home the point . This lead to a round of chanting, "Stand Up Now!"

Congressman Blumenauer thanked the audience for their "words...passion and courtesy." He promised to follow up with a response in his blog later in the week. However, the crowd pushed on and forced Blumenauer to address the impeachment issue. Blumenauer hedged the question and said that he would think about it later that day, and address it soon.