No underlying crime? No fucking underlying crime?
I got your underlying crime right here. And your civil cause of action (no shit, this would be a fabulous class action lawsuit). And your impeachable offense.
From a quick, random google, this is how the crime is codified in the State of Washington:
Every person who shall, maliciously and without probable cause therefor, cause or attempt to cause another to be arrested or proceeded against for any crime of which he or she is innocent:
(1) If such crime be a felony, is guilty of a class C felony and shall be punished by imprisonment in a state correctional facility for not more than five years; and
(2) If such crime be a gross misdemeanor or misdemeanor, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.
When committed by a government official, this is democracy's worst nightmare, the most terrifying crime a government can commit against its citizens: using the ultimate power of the state, the power to prosecute and imprison, for the purpose of intimidation. For political gain.
This is fucking Kafka.
Now add to that, the purpose of the intimidation was to terrorize minority (Democratic) voters away from the polls. Isn't that a civil rights violation too?
"No underlying crime." Not just a very specific, heinous crime, but if this isn't a high-crime impeachable offense, I don't know what is.
Now, malicious prosecution is also a tort. Victims can sue for compensation. How about a class action lawsuit against--Rove, Miers, Gonzales. And who else in the White House was in on the conspiracy?