(Angus Reid Global Scan) – Some adults in the United States believe legal charges should be sought against their president, according to a poll by Rasmussen Reports for AfterDowningStreet.org. 32 per cent of respondents believe George W. Bush should be impeached and removed from office, while 58 per cent disagree.

The coalition effort against Saddam Hussein's regime was launched in March 2003. At least 2,157 American soldiers have died during the military operation, and more than 16,000 troops have been injured.

Pre-war speeches by Bush mentioned specific chemical agents, such as mustard gas, sarin and VX nerve gas as banned substances allegedly secured by Iraq. State secretary Colin Powell assured the United Nations (UN) Security Council in February 2003 that Hussein possessed biological weapons.

The final report of the Iraq Survey Group—presented to the U.S. Congress on Sept. 30, 2004—concluded that Hussein's regime did not possess chemical, biological or nuclear weapons, and had not implemented a significant program for their development.

American voters will renew the House of Representatives and one-third of the Senate in November 2006. 30 per cent of respondents say they would be more likely to vote for a congressional candidate who promised to work for the impeachment of the current president.

In the U.S., the federal process for impeachment begins with a vote in the House of Representatives, followed by a trial in the Senate. Only two American presidents—Andrew Johnson in 1868 and Bill Clinton in 1998—have been impeached by the lower house. Both Johnson and Clinton were later acquitted by the upper house. In April 1974, Richard Nixon resigned after impeachment hearings had started.

Polling Data

Should U.S. president George W. Bush be impeached and removed from office?

Would you be more likely or less likely to vote for a congressional candidate who promised to work for the impeachment of George W. Bush?

Source: Rasmussen Reports / AfterDowningStreet.org
Methodology: Telephone interviews with 1,000 American adults, conducted on Dec. 9 and Dec. 10, 2005. Margin of error is 3 per cent.

Original Story at Rasmussen Reports