It’s a well-calculated political move, and it sounds great.

House Republicans on Tuesday prevented Democratic leaders from blocking a resolution to impeach Vice President Dick Cheney.

The vote to table the privileged resolution, offered by Ohio Democrat Dennis Kucinch, began as a largely party-line vote to kill the measure, but Republicans developed a strategy to force Democrats to debate the resolution by supporting Kucinich. GOP leaders felt as though it was in their interest to debate the measure because it would make Democrats look bad…

Republican lawmakers and aides credited Rep. John Shadegg (R-Ariz.) for coming up with the idea.

See, there were 81 House Democrats (including Conyers and Ellison) that originally voted for the articles to be debated when they were sure it would be tabled (appeasing while not actually having to take action). However, when it was clear they wouldn’t be tabled, they opposed it being brought to the floor.

Via Michelle. Don Surber explains:

Call this Steny stymied. Democratic Congressman Dennis Kucinich called for an up-or-down vote on impeaching Vice President Cheney. On Saturday, I pointed out the irony.

The No. 2 Democrat in the House tried to ditch the proposal like Ugly Betty at the Junior Prom. House Republicans decided to have a little fun with it. They voted to allow Kucinich to proceed with his little resolution.

Sure, expose to the nation just what kind of loony bins voters sent to the House of Representatives. Congress has the lowest job approval rating of anyone ebver in Washington. 11%. Cheney’s numbers are better!

Sure, show the public just what these lifer politicians are doing in Washington.

Ouch.