New Broom Coalition

Olver critic ponders a run
By Evan Lehmann, Eagle Washington Bureau
Article Last Updated: 12/04/2007 10:00:17 AM EST

http://www.berkshireeagle.com/headlines/ci_7629688

Tuesday, December 04
WASHINGTON — Aides to U.S. Rep. John W. Olver know Robert Feuer as the man who pushed over the first domino.

Feuer, a Stockbridge lawyer, caused an Internet cascade when he blogged about the Amherst Democrat's refusal to support impeachment last summer.

This, despite Olver's eye-popping assertion in a meeting with Feuer and other local activists in July that he didn't trust President Bush to abstain from bombing Iran and perhaps cancel the 2008 presidential elections amid public uprisings.

Olver has since expressed regret at his wording.

But the Web storm has persisted, even strengthened with the addition of prominent activist Ralph Nader, who criticized Olver in an online video for failing to act on his deep distrust of the administration.

Thank Feuer for that, too. He made Nader aware of the issue during a book signing in Connecticut and then sent Nader a description of Olver's remarks.

None of those tactics have pushed Olver toward pursuing the impeachment of Bush or Vice President Dick Cheney, something for which Olver expressed support last year by co-sponsoring a measure to investigate possible prosecutions.

So, now, Feuer is considering a challenge to Olver on a larger stage: in the 2008 election for his House seat.

"It was a kiss of death," Feuer said of Olver's comments about Bush. "He hasn't left us any choice but to field a challenger."

Feuer was introduced as that candidate last week at an impeachment event at Dartmouth College featuring U.S. Rep. Dennis Kucinich, a Democratic presidential aspirant and a champion of impeachment activists.

Feuer was taken aback by the sudden applause, but maintains that he has not made a decision. He made no indication that he corrected the crowd.

"I was sitting there in quite a bit of shock," he said, adding that there's "some probability" he will challenge Olver.

One way or another, either Feuer or someone else from a tight knot of activists within the umbrella group Northeast Impeachment Coalition will challenge Olver next year, he said.

"All this Congress has done is fight impeachment," Feuer said. "All it's done is quell the sentiment that the president must be impeached."