A useful definition of a wedge issue is one that unifies a party while splitting the opposition.
By that definition, Republican calls to impeach President Obama look like a wedge issue — in favor of Democrats. As a recent CNN poll shows, 65 percent of Americans oppose impeaching Obama, including 86 percent of Democrats, 63 percent of independents and even 42 percent of Republicans. …
The CNN poll also shows, however, that the proposed Republican lawsuit against Mr. Obama for his handling of the health care law is much more effective at consolidating the Republican base. CONT.
Brendan Nyhan (Dartmouth), New York Times
