WASHINGTON -- Nearly half of the US public wants President George W. Bush to face impeachment, and even more favor that fate for Vice President Dick Cheney, according to a poll out Friday.

[1]The survey by the American Research Group found that 45 percent support the US House of Representatives beginning impeachment proceedings against Bush, with 46 percent opposed, and a 54-40 split in favor when it comes to Cheney.

The study by the private New Hampshire-based ARG canvassed 1,100 Americans by telephone July 3-5 and had an error margin of plus or minus three percentage points. The findings are available on ARG's Internet site [2].

The White House declined to comment on the poll, the latest bad news for a president who has seen his public opinion standings dragged to record lows by the unpopular war in Iraq.

The US Constitution says presidents and vice presidents can be impeached -- that is, formally charged by the House -- for "treason, bribery, or other high crimes and misdemeanors" by a simple majority vote.

Conviction by the Senate, which requires a two-thirds majority, means removal from office.

Just two US presidents have been impeached: Bill Clinton was impeached in 1998 and acquitted in 1999; Andrew Johnson was impeached and acquitted in 1868. Disgraced president Richard Nixon resigned in 1974 when a House impeachment vote appeared likely.

In late April, left-wing Representative Dennis Kucinich, a long-shot Democratic presidential hopeful, introduced a resolution calling for Cheney's impeachment. To date, the measure has nine listed co-sponsors and a 10th set to sign on when the House returns to work next week.

But Democratic leaders appear unlikely to pursue such a course.
Copyright © 2007 Agence France Presse
 

Question:

Do you favor or oppose the US House of Representatives beginning impeachment proceedings against President George W. Bush?

7/5/07
Favor
Oppose
Undecided

All Adults
45%
46%
9%

Voters
46%
44%
10%

Democrats (38%)
69%
22%
9%

Republicans (29%)
13%
86%
1%

Independents (33%)
50%
30%
20%

3/15/06
42%
49%
9%

Based on 1,100 completed telephone interviews among a random sample of adults nationwide July 3-5, 2007. The theoreticalmargin of error is plus or minus 3 percentage points, 95% of the time. Of the total sample, 933 interviews were completed among registered voters.

Question:

Do you favor or oppose the US House of Representatives beginning impeachment proceedings against Vice President Dick Cheney?

7/5/07
Favor
Oppose
Undecided

All Adults
54%
40%
6%

Voters
50%
44%
6%

Democrats (38%)
76%
24%
-

Republicans (29%)
17%
83%
-

Independents (33%)
51%
29%
20%

Based on 1,100 completed telephone interviews among a random sample of adults nationwide July 3-5, 2007. The theoreticalmargin of error is plus or minus 3 percentage points, 95% of the time. Of the total sample, 933 interviews were completed among registered voters.