Biden countered that “the Constitution is very clear” about the VP's role in the Senate - which is to break a tie vote only. He also said the Constitution made it crystal clear that the VP is part of the executive branch -- there is no ambiguity about the VP straddling both the legislative and executive branches. Biden added:
"The only authority the vice president has from the legislative standpoint is the vote, only when there is a tie vote. He has no authority relative to the Congress. The idea he's part of the Legislative Branch is a bizarre notion invented by Cheney to aggrandize the power of a unitary executive and look where it has gotten us. It has been very dangerous."
It's amazing that Palin would choose to defend the dangerous position of Dick Cheney, the most unpopular, reviled VP in American history. Neither Palin or McCain have ever mentioned Cheney - not during the convention or at any campaign speech. The fact that Palin would agree with Cheney's over-reaching goals as VP is stunning. Cheney has accumulated unprecedented power as VP, for himself and for Bush, by playing light with the law. His counsel has been responsible for writing dozens of "special executive orders" to get the Bush agenda under the radar of the law. I guess we know what type of VP Palin would be if (god forbid) she were to get the chance.
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Biden ... said Article I made it crystal clear that the VP is part of the executive branch -- there is no ambiguity about the VP straddling both the legislative and executive branches.
Yes, he did say that.
Too bad it's not in Article I, but Article II.
Palin's desire to continue Cheney's lead is frighening and needs to be highlighted by the mainstream media.
Nonsense. What she said is that she wants to be able to continue fulfilling whatever role the President defines. And Biden wants the exact same thing.
You should read the transcript:
IFILL: Governor, you mentioned a moment ago the constitution might give the vice president more power than it has in the past. Do you believe as Vice President Cheney does, that the Executive Branch does not hold complete sway over the office of the vice presidency, that it it is also a member of the Legislative Branch?
PALIN: Well, our founding fathers were very wise there in allowing through the Constitution much flexibility there in the office of the vice president. And we will do what is best for the American people in tapping into that position and ushering in an agenda that is supportive and cooperative with the president's agenda in that position. Yeah, so I do agree with him that we have a lot of flexibility in there, and we'll do what we have to do to administer very appropriately the plans that are needed for this nation. And it is my executive experience that is partly to be attributed to my pick as V.P. with McCain, not only as a governor, but earlier on as a mayor, as an oil and gas regulator, as a business owner. It is those years of experience on an executive level that will be put to good use in the White House also.
IFILL: Vice President Cheney's interpretation of the vice presidency?
BIDEN: Vice President Cheney has been the most dangerous vice president we've had probably in American history. The idea he doesn't realize that Article I of the Constitution defines the role of the vice president of the United States, that's the Executive Branch. He works in the Executive Branch. He should understand that. Everyone should understand that.
And the primary role of the vice president of the United States of America is to support the president of the United States of America, give that president his or her best judgment when sought, and as vice president, to preside over the Senate, only in a time when in fact there's a tie vote. The Constitution is explicit.
The only authority the vice president has from the legislative standpoint is the vote, only when there is a tie vote. He has no authority relative to the Congress. The idea he's part of the Legislative Branch is a bizarre notion invented by Cheney to aggrandize the power of a unitary executive and look where it has gotten us. It has been very dangerous.
I read the transcript. She was talking about what I said: molding the role of VP to support the President's agenda.
Last time I'll reply but, sorry, that's not what she said/meant...
"Yeah, so I do agree with him (Cheney) that we have a lot of flexibility in there ("there" being the Constitution).
The Constitution gives the VP power for one thing only - breaking a tie in the Senate. There is no flexibility there for molding any other position.
I really think she didn't even understand the question and had no idea what a good answer would be and why ... So she agreed with Cheney not even knowing what she was agreeing to exactly. I think people are giving her waaaay too much credit for knowing what she is talking about and the implications.
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