Kucinich files papers to impeach Cheney



Kucinich had announced he was postponing the announcement because of Cheney's health.
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Democratic presidential candidate Dennis Kucinich filed articles of impeachment Tuesday against Vice President Dick Cheney, saying his action is driven by a desire to defend Americans' right "to have a government that is honest and peaceful."
The Ohio congressman said Cheney manipulated and fabricated intelligence on weapons of mass destruction to justify the Iraq war.
Kucinich said it was important to introduce the legislation "because the threat of war against Iran is very real."
"This vice president cannot be permitted to continue to violate both the U.S. Constitution and the U.N. Charter," he added.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., said impeachment is off the table.
Here's the procedure
Under the House impeachment process, Kucinich's articles would be reviewed by the House Judiciary Committee, which would decide whether to conduct an impeachment inquiry. The committee would seek authority from the entire House before beginning an inquiry.
Kucinich had said earlier Tuesday that he was planning to postpone his plans to introduce the articles of impeachment due to Cheney's health concerns.
Cheney was taken to his doctor's office for an ultrasound of a blood clot in his leg Tuesday. He later returned to the White House to resume his normal schedule, said Megan McGinn, a spokeswoman for the vice president.
On Kucinich's campaign Web site, he questions in a video whether the Bush administration's aggressive actions toward Iran already have raised concerns over impeachment
Copyright 2007 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.