OH-10 Dem Candidate Rosemary Palmer: Says Impeaching Cheney Is Waste Of Time

CLEVELAND (TDB) -- Democrat Rosemary Palmer, who lost a son in Iraq and hopes to end U.S. Rep. Dennis Kucinich's run as a Cleveland-area congressman, says the House has wasted time debating Kucinich's resolution to impeach Vice President Dick Cheney. She says President Bush and Cheney already are the "lamest of ducks." Palmer's son, Marine Lance Cpl. Edward "Augie" Schroeder, died in August 2005. She is opposed to the war but sees the impeachment effort as a sideshow to more pressing issues.

Her campaign bio is here and the full-text of her statement describing the impeachment effort as senseless is as follows:

"The idea of impeaching those responsible for an unnecessary war is certainly enticing, especially for those of us who have lost loved ones in Iraq. Impeachment would serve as retribution to those who have led the United States into a quagmire that has cost the lives of perhaps half a million people. But as a Gold Star Mother, I believe it is a waste of time.

"Any move to impeach the Vice President or President at this late stage of their term is an exercise in futility. The Bush Administration is the lamest of ducks. We know it and, no doubt, they know it too. But more important, impeachment would waste the time needed to address the challenges facing the United States and the 10th Congressional District.

"I believe that the American people want Congress to spend its energies on economic development, job creation, education and the environment. I believe the American people want Congress to work on solving the crisis in health insurance coverage, education and public infrastructure. And I believe the American people expect Congress to get our troops out of Iraq.

"Our country is in dire need of solutions to extremely pressing problems. We have people out of work, out of health insurance, losing pensions, losing homes, and, worst of all, losing hope. It is important that Congress act to achieve a better tomorrow rather than reproach the mistakes of yesterday.

"It is time to see the Bush Administration for what it is – running out of time and into the history books. It is time to get to work reinventing Cleveland. It is time to give hope back to the citizens of Northeast Ohio."