Remember the furor and the comedic punch lines as a result of Sarah Palin’s statement, implying that she needed someone to clarify the role of the Vice President?
Well, brace yourselves for a similarly overwhelming media reaction to Joe Biden’s solution on where one can locate the definition of the Vice President’s role – Article I of the Constitution.
Problem being, it’s actually Article II.
To most, this will simply constitute another famous Biden gaffe. However, Biden was so forceful and patronizing in his argument during last night’s debate that Dick Cheney should realize ‘Article I of the Constitution defines the role of the vice president,’ that it bears pointing out.
The full excerpt from the debate follows (h/t to Michelle Malkin):
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.
Article I of the Constitution merely covers the Vice President’s role in tie-breaking votes. It encompasses the powers bestowed upon the Legislative Branch of government.
Article II on the other hand, focuses on the Executive Branch of government, comprising the President, the Vice President, other executive officers, and their role in government.
I’m not sure where Biden was going with this statement, perhaps hinting that Cheney should have stuck to tie-breaking votes rather than actually being a productive member of government, but surely this gaffe will become a sound bite for the media to use against him. Sarah knows…
Her statement to CNBC’s Larry Kudlow in late July was:
“As for that V.P. talk all the time,” she told CNBC’s Larry Kudlow in late July, “I tell ya, I still can't answer that question until somebody answers for me: What is it exactly that the V.P. does every day?"
“I’m used to being very productive and working real hard and in administration,” she continued. “We want to make sure that the V.P. slot would be a fruitful type of position, especially for Alaskans and for the things that were trying to accomplish up her for the rest of the us before I can even start addressing that question.”
The last sentence of the first paragraph has, of course, been taken out of context by the media over the last several months. It is obviously a rhetorical and somewhat amusing answer to a question in which she is trying to deflect attention to the possibility of her being named as running mate. Yet the MSM pounced, here at CNN, Rolling Stone, MSNBC, the LA Times, and the New York Times, among countless others.
Fortunately the even keeled media will make sure Biden pays for his gaffe, as he has paid so dearly for his several other gaffes.
This just in, icicles have been forming in hell.
Pay attention to your own words, Mr. Biden. To paraphrase - The idea ‘Biden’ doesn’t realize that Article 'II' of the Constitution defines the role of the vice president of the United States, that’s the Executive Branch. He should understand that. Everyone should understand that.
You certainly should, Mr. Biden. As for the media, this will just be another case of Biden being Biden.
Photo of Sen. Joe Biden by Joe Raedle/Getty Images
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Not to mention that, as
October 3, 2008 - 07:47 ET by HockeyKidAnd Snuffleupagus didn't catch it either, saying there were, "no major gaffes." I guess the MSM aren't as well-educated as they think they are.
Headline: "Biden Wins Debate, Knows Constitution"
Seriously, Joe, it's time you went back to doing what you do best: become a monk, so you won't have to hide when copying other people's work.
You've pointed out that you are both right.
October 3, 2008 - 07:44 ET by c5thenThe Constitution defines duties for the Vice President in both Article I - The legislative section, and Article II - The executive section.
So, is the office of the Vice President solely an Executive Branch position, or solely a Legislative Branch position, or maybe some of both?
Remember that originally the VP was the #2 vote getter in the Presidential election. So no one actually ran for the office, it was kind of a consolation prize. It was only after the 12th Amendment was ratified that the VP bacame a directly elected position.
Silly donkey, trolls are
October 3, 2008 - 07:51 ET by HockeyKidSilly donkey, trolls are for kids.
Biden was trying to accuse Cheney of meddling in legislative affairs when the Vice Presidency is clearly part of the Executive branch. He not only botched his point, but got his constitutional references wrong in the deal. AND continued to run against Bush/Cheney instead of McCain/Palin. Not a performance I'd like to claim as my all-time best.
Article I
October 3, 2008 - 08:04 ET by Rusty WeissI did include the mention of the Vice-President's role within Article I as: the role of the Vice President's as the "President of the Senate", where he can only vote to break ties - because the Vice President is not a member of the Senate.
Whereas Article II covers the Executive Power of the President and Vice-President, the qualifications for such roles, powers, and responsibilities. This more clearly defines the role of Vice-President than the previous Article's mention of a vote tie-breaker.
And "potato" used to appear
October 3, 2008 - 09:15 ET by PeskyDaneAnd "potato" used to appear in the dictionary with an "e" at the end. But we're all human beings, we all have brain farts, and we can give another one another a pass... oh, wait a second...
Only by really torturing and parsing the english language could blow off such an obvious screw-up. Have another cup of kool-aide.
I want to know exactly how
October 3, 2008 - 08:04 ET by ThisnThatI want to know exactly how was Cheney the most dangerous vice president we’ve had probably in American history. Does Biden care to cite specific examples? I can't beleive a VP candidate would say something like this -- this is very inflammable and very hatefull. In fact, I think Biden had several moments during the debate where he slipped up and simply expressed extreme hate, rather than try to make a point.
___________________________________
If you can read this, thank a teacher. If it is in English, thank a Soldier. - My barber
I especially liked when ...
October 3, 2008 - 12:43 ET by kirch66Obamabot Biden's record skipped and he began repeating "JUST LIKE BUSH! JUST LIKE BUSH! JUST LIKE BUSH!" which bring the question, is Obama-Biden REALLY running against Bush in this election? Does BDS really win elections when Bush isn't even running? I bet shiney objects are a source of intense concentration for democratic voters too! Oh look! - a chanting line hating Bush, let's all go along!
"The moment you give up your principles and your values, the moment you laugh at those principles and those values, you are dead, your culture is dead, your civilization is dead. Period." - Oriana Fallaci
Article I
October 3, 2008 - 08:07 ET by Rusty WeissThe McCain camp also had this to say:
Article 1 of the Constitution does not, in fact, define the role of the Vice President of the United States. It defines the role of the legislative branch, otherwise known as the branch in which Joe Biden has served for the last 36 years.
Link
Hmmm
October 3, 2008 - 08:22 ET by Copperhead RidgeDoes he think Cheney is even more dangerous than Aaron Burr?
I realize that he shares something in common with Burr. They both shot someone with a firearm. At least Cheney's shot wasn't fatal.
Hey, Joe, I'm guessing that you'll be the next Richard M. Johnson if King Hussein is elected.
Hey Joe
October 3, 2008 - 08:47 ET by T-Bone MassAnswer me this, when did the US and France kick Hezbollah out of Lebonon?
Was it before or after the germans bombed pearl harbor. Mr Foriegn Policy expert.
Also, when was the last time you were at Katies Rest in Wilmington, it closed 25 years ago.
ruduce principle?!?
October 3, 2008 - 09:03 ET by briefsynopsisSorry Guys but if Joe and Barry are going to reduce mortgage principle, I can see the election lost for the Home Team.
Palin beat that man in every objective category!
"if good isnt that good, and bad isnt really that bad, then all we have left are perceptions, and those we can manage!".
Value producers are people too!
Mortgages
October 3, 2008 - 10:07 ET by GOPG8RI agree about the mortgage issue. So now judges will be able to say how much your house is really worth? You will now be able to declare bankruptcy and have a judge lower your principal??? I can't believe that Obama/Biden aren't laughed off the ballot for suggesting that.
With the way things are going we will need to elect economists to Congress so they can understand and run Wall Street. And apparently they will need to become judges too.
GOPG8R:
October 3, 2008 - 10:17 ET by j. frank wilsonBankruptcy judges routinely cram down debt relief. Why should home mortgages be exempt from the customary purview of their duties?
The debt backed by real
October 4, 2008 - 01:19 ET by Dan The Man 2The debt backed by real estate has intrinsic value. The value of the loan should cover the price of the real estate. This is the basic idea behind equity and loans given on equity. Bankruptcy is based on ones inability to pay debts that have no equity. Any equity is sold to cover the debt for that particular item. This is just my take, of course I await your expert opinion as you have one on everything
Once judges have reign over equity then we are lost.
Nuke em til they glow then shoot em in the dark.
Mr. Weiss:
October 3, 2008 - 10:12 ET by j. frank wilsonAnd what was Gov. Palin's answer to the question - do you agree with Vice President Dick Cheney's contention that his office is part of the Legislative and not the Executive Branch of the Federal Government?
Gov. Palin either didn't understand the question or her collection of approved answers did include a reponse to this inquiry.
In either case, she did not answer the question. Period. Sen. Biden sited the wrong Article. He got the answer correct, however. Vice President Cheney's unitary Executive theory is crazy and dangerous and very, very wrong.
Focus
October 3, 2008 - 11:06 ET by Rusty WeissPalin actually did respond that she agreed with the interpretation.
How is asserting the President's policies a dangerous tactic?
In the Couric interview, she expanded on her respect for Dick Cheney on promoting the President's policies as being support of our troops:
Question, would it be just as dangerous to you if Joe Biden tried to assert more authority in order to promote Obama's policies? According to Joe, the only thing he should be doing in office is breaking tie votes.
Further, Biden's biggest problem with Cheney seems to be 'condoning torture, pushing torture as a policy.'
Is that dangerous to us as Americans, or to terrorists who kill Americans?
Only one was a VP
October 3, 2008 - 12:46 ET by angryafricanThis should not be about whether Palin was better than what was expected. Or whether Biden did or didn’t wipe her off the table with his knowledge and experience. It’s about who will be the second most powerful person in Washington. People say the VP decision isn’t that important. I beg to differ. The second most powerful person in the US government and not seen as that important? Do you want to run your company with a good CEO but a CFO who knows nothing of how finances work? Or a COO who knows nothing of commerce? Maybe not.
So I looked at the two candidates with two questions in mind:
1. Who would best be able to help a President achieve the change he is promising?
2. Who do you want to make the decisions and represent your country if the President isn’t there?
That should be easy. http://angryafrican.net/2008/10/03/biden-vs-palin-you-betcha-or-what-i-want-in-a-vice-president/
»→ angryafrican
October 3, 2008 - 12:57 ET by Cool ArrowIf you knew anything about our system of government, you'd realize the VP isn't even as powerful as the Speaker Of the House.
Kill Bill II - Stop the bailout
Hes been here before Cool.
October 3, 2008 - 13:27 ET by bassndudeHes been here before Cool. My problem with advice from an angry afircan is looking at examples of african advice. I mean, lets look a Liberia. Angryafricans at work.
Save a SeAL, club a liberal!!
"Do you want to run your
October 3, 2008 - 16:08 ET by ckc1227"Do you want to run your company with a good CEO but a CFO who knows
nothing of how finances work? Or a COO who knows nothing of commerce?
Maybe not. "
The irony is, you just laid out the perfect argument for why neither Obama nor Biden is qualified for the positions they have been nominated for, lol.
Thank you.
"From this day forward, your name shall be...stupid African"
Biden being a LIEberal
October 3, 2008 - 13:54 ET by LionKingBiden lied at least 14 times in the debate.
As I was thinking to
October 3, 2008 - 16:04 ET by ckc1227As I was thinking to myself last night, he really has nothing to lose by lying, because most people won't know he is lying, especially on things like who voted for what. And you know the media isn't going to go out of it's way to make sure people know what his errors were, and most people aren't going to go out of there way to find out for themselves. It's basically win win for him. He had nothing to lose, and neither does Obama in the next 2 debates.
"From this day forward, you name shall be...stupid African"