Biden v. Palin on Dick Cheney

[ProSense]

PALIN: No, no. Of course, we know what a vice president does. And that's not only to preside over the Senate and will take that position very seriously also. I'm thankful the Constitution would allow a bit more authority given to the vice president if that vice president so chose to exert it in working with the Senate and making sure that we are supportive of the president's policies and making sure too that our president understands what our strengths are. John McCain and I have had good conversations about where I would lead with his agenda. That is energy independence in America and reform of government over all, and then working with families of children with special needs. That's near and dear to my heart also. In those arenas, John McCain has already tapped me and said, that's where I want you, I want you to lead. I said, I can't wait to get and there go to work with you.

<...>

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.

link

Zing!

[curious one]

1. No surprise there. She displayed her ignorance against a constitutional lawyer.

[ProSense]

4. Her notes failed her. n/t

[rateyes]

2. That's another win for Biden. She likes Cheney, and he doesn't.

And, neither do 80%, or more, of the American people. He was able to make Palin look just like a Dick Cheney, and that's good for us.

[ProSense]

3. These are the Palin responses

that the asshole pundits will have no explanation for as they claim (as I heard one just say) "fall off the stage."

[ProSense]

5. Palin wants to control the Senate.

FAIL

[phleshdef]

6. My dirty mind is my own worse enemy... "John McCain has already tapped me"

[SCDem]

7. Sounds as if she thinks purpose of Senate is to serve the Pres.

It sounds as if Palin thinks that the Senate and all of government is there to serve the President. "in working with the Senate and making sure that we are supportive of the president's policies and making sure too that our president understands what our strengths are."

I think she needs to go back to school - 3 Equal Branches!

[ProSense]

8. Exactly.

Moron.