Palin Claims Vice President "In Charge Of The U.S. Senate"

Think Progress:

Yesterday, Gov. Sarah Palin (R-AK) sat for an interview with KUSA, an NBC affiliate in Colorado. In response to a question sent to the network by a third grader at a local elementary school about what the Vice President does, Palin erroneously argued that the Vice President is "in charge of the United States Senate":

Q: Brandon Garcia wants to know, "What does the Vice President do?"

PALIN: That's something that Piper would ask me! ... [T]hey're in charge of the U.S. Senate so if they want to they can really get in there with the senators and make a lot of good policy changes that will make life better for Brandon and his family and his classroom.

Read the whole story: Think Progress

Comments

[Pinkmarbles]

Here’s the fancy narrative (Obama supporters just love that word) that the Obama campaign has come up with. Even if you don’t pay income taxes, you still pay payroll taxes. So Obama is going to give these people who only pay Social Security and Medicare taxes an offsetting tax credit. At this point Obama’s plan becomes almost impossible to explain. It’s convoluted, to say the least, but that’s out of necessity. When people started reminding him that about one-half of the people he’s going to cut taxes for don’t pay taxes he had to come up with something. The bottom line is this. Obama says that he is not going to take the cost of his tax credits from the Social Security Trust Fund. That’s nice, considering the fact that this so-called Trust Fund exists only on paper anyway. But if that money isn’t subtracted from the Trust Fund … where does it come from? Obama’s people explain that at first the deficit will just have to increase while these checks are written. Later they’ll just go out there and get the money from those “rich people.”

[evekendall]

Yada, yada, yada.

The real bottom line is this:

Republicans used the "trickle down" theory under Ronald Reagan and, by the end of his term in office, he had run up the largest debt and budget deficit in history up until that time. That continued under George H. W. Bush.

Republicans, for the last eight years, have used the same "trickle down" theory, and it still has not worked. Once again, they have run up the largest debt and budget deficit in history. And now the economy is in a wreck.

Republican economics Do. Not. Work.

Dem vs. GOP presidents & national debt chart:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x2678226

[Pinkmarbles]

Great chart that proves another point that I had not thought of until I saw it. Each Democrat slashed the military spending and then the Republican had to spend to PROTECT OUR COUNTRY. Which is the biggest function of the government. This fact is of course not mentioned in all this B.S. about balancing the budget.

[LightningJoe]

"Republican economics Do. Not. Work."

Not quite true. They work fine; just not in the way they say they will, re "trickle-down."

They work fine for making rich people even richer, but they don't offer much for the rest of us, who (seriously) don't really want to be "rich" -- We just want a stable life with little money anxiety, the opportunity to have some nice things, and a comfortable retirement.

What "trickle-down" IS good for, is for moving my tax dollars into the investment towers on Wall Street -- not in my name, but for people who seriously do not need to be any richer than they are.

I realize that money anxiety can strike anyone, regardless of their degree of wealth, but while the symptoms may feel the same, the rich have many more options how to deal with it than the poor do; one of those options being to be satisfied with what one has.

[ajax2]

GW Bush $4,5 trillion in new debt. You have no standing, none.

[Liberoservative]

"Here"s the fancy narrative (Obama supporters just love that word) "

LOL
Is "narrative" some sort of code word that we use?

You have just come up with the latest idiocy explanation of trolldom...

Narrative? OMFG... give me a Fracking break!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Pinkmarbles]

Barack Obama repeatedly tells the American people that he is going to cut taxes for 95% of them. Now that’s a pretty nifty trick when more than 40% of Americans don’t pay income taxes in the first place. Tell me please … just how do you cut taxes for someone who doesn’t pay taxes?

[tmo7734]

Come on, don't be an idiot. Who in this country doesn't pay taxes? Even the rich -- with all of their tax breaks and loop holes -- pay some. Let's do this: let's have Obama cut everybody's taxes but yours, that way you can win your lame argument.

[Pinkmarbles]

Somehow I had this idea when I was growing up that if you wanted something bad enough, you would work hard until you got it. That was then. This is now. Now you vote for it. That’s CHANGE you can believe in.

[Jwoo]

If you think a free market economy was designed for everyone to be able to succeed you are sadly mistaken. Some people may be more compassionate, but what do you think the mostly oblivious middle and upper classes would do without their janitors and their construction workers and their ditch diggers?

I am not supporter of giving people that do nothing free money. But the parent that works two jobs and still can't afford to pay their rent and barely feed their kids... that's not something that everyone can just break out of with more work, no matter what your work ethic says. It is a fact that most people will never move above the income tax bracket they are born into. It is by far easier to move down, and not always because of reasons that you can control.

I'm not a supporter of everything Obama is proposing. Not everything he proposes will get passed anyway. But I am not a supporter of McCain's trickle-down economics at all. That does nothing to solve anyone's problems. It only makes the rich richer so that they can invest in other countries (because who would invest in the United States right now?). I will vote for Obama to keep McCain out of office, not because I support every last thing on his list.

[goblu]

I asked my 11 and 12 year old children what the V.P.'s job is, they knew the answer. This woman is dumber than a tree stump. Isolated and not caring about anything other than the world of Alaska. Please, please send her back. I cannot take the stupidity any more.

[Pinkmarbles]

So what you are saying is they gave the same answer she did! I cannot believe they knew Article One Section Three of The Constitution of the United States of America with a parent like you!

[Jwoo]

The Vice President, AKA the "President of the Senate" hardly has enough power for him/her to be "in charge" of the Senate. The Vice President doesn't get to tell them what to do or how to vote, and in modern times there is a strong agreement within the Senate that the Vice President not even interfere with their votes at all (in other words, they don't want his opinion) unless there is a tie, in which he/she gets to vote to break the tie.

Now take into consideration that the Vice President in modern times barely ever presides over the Senate in day-to-day affairs. The position is almost always held by the President pro tempore. The VP's other primary function - advisor to the President - is the duty that he/she will almost always be fulfilling.

If you consider that to be "in charge" of the Senate you are more than welcome to believe that. It's just a very simplistic and inaccurate way of looking at the VP's powers. No one member of any branch of government was designed to be in charge of anything. They only check each other (though I'm not sure if a real checks and balances system works in this country anymore) and the VP's position as President of the Senate is merely one of the Executive branch's checks on the Legislative branch, just like the President's power to veto.

[evekendall]

Goblu did NOT say that her children gave the same answer as Palin.

[Noogie]

"See Sarah. See Sarah run. Run, Sarah, run."

[wdw101]

she is running........for VP

[Lombard1006]

Can someone please get her the Cliff Notes version of the Constitution and highlight only those parts that include the word Vice-President? Have her memorize it and then give that as her answer going forward. At least then we'll know she read her job description.

[wdw101]

Article One, section 3, clause 4 of the United States Constitution says; "The Vice President of the United States shall be President of the Senate, but shall have no Vote, unless they be equally divided. " those words "President of the Senate" means to be in charge of the Senate.

don't like it then change the Constitution

[Jwoo]

President of the Senate is only a check on the Legislative branch, it doesn't mean they are "in charge" of anything.

Our constitution was designed to keep any one person or branch from being in charge of anything. Maybe taking the constitution as a whole instead of picking out little articles would give you a better understanding of its overarching purpose.

[guntotinganglion]

What does "in charge of the Senate" mean? The Queen of England is also "in charge", but as we know, that means little in her regard. Hers is a purely ceremonial position. Let's think of the VP, and this is appropriate in Palin's case, as the Queen of the Senate...aka a ceremonial figurehead with very little actual power.

And I will add, after hearing Sara's explanation of the VP's duties to the 3rd grader, I had to say that it technically wasn't incorrect, and for the same reasons you indicate, that the term "President of the Senate" sounds like the person in charge. But seriously, the VP is NOT in charge of the Senate (the Senate Majority Leader is). The VP's are there to count Electoral votes once in 4 years, and to break tie votes. Considering the likelihood of the Democrats being totally "in charge" in the 111th Congress, I think whoever is VP is going to have one thing to do...count the Electoral College votes, and then, time permitting, cut ribbons at bridge opening ceremonies. And that word is appropriate...i.e. the position in the Senate is ceremonial only, and basically is a bone thrown to a person who has next to nothing to actually do, unless a President leaves office prematurely. The lack of function of the VP has long been a lament of those inhabiting the office, and none have been convinced they actually have power by the term "President of the Senate".

[bronceye]

There is historical precedent via slick dick cheney. He was the puppet master for 6 years when repubes had solid majorities in House and Senate. Those Reps and Senators families should be ashamed for 6 generations. History will not be kind to the repubes who put power and party above country and people. Historically, it would appear that a vp can start a war to help a contractor that he personally nearly bankrupted become extemely solvent while receiving kickbacks from said company while in the employ of the American Gov't. Veco will be contractors for our next unnecesary, bankrupting war?

[balrog221]

What are her qualifications here? Versus Obama on constitutional law?

[wdw101]

outside of a minimum age and natural born citizenship there are no requirements.......read the constitution please

[Jwoo]

You're definitely right about that. But citizens are always going to hold those aspiring to federal offices to higher standards than what the constitution requires. His question is just fine considering that Sarah Palin has shown over and over again that she barely has any grasp of what it is she will be doing when in office. Thinking that the VP is "in charge" of anything regarding the Senate other than breaking ties is absurd. Just because it's called the President of the Senate doesn't mean she has even the slightest bit of authority over what the Senate does. Period.

When somebody asks you what you want for dinner, you are like the person that just says "Food." It doesn't let the person asking the question really know what you want and just pisses everybody off.

[balrog221]

the statement did not address her meeting basic requirements, it had to do with her qualifications.. to lead the free world. Read the question please.

[balrog221]

This 3rd grade lesson is scary because remember she wants to replace science with mythology as well Creationism vs Evolution.

[wdw101]

prove it

[balrog221]

Palin was answering a question from the moderator near the conclusion of Wednesday night's televised debate on KAKM Channel 7 when she said, "Teach both [evolution and creationism]. You know, don't be afraid of information. Healthy debate is so important, and it's so valuable in our schools. I am a proponent of teaching both."

[balrog221]

proven

[balrog221]

Ironic? Palin the proposed energy czarina who will "advise" on fossil fuels over 100 million years old,thinks that the earth is 5000 years old. She is the expert...

[Joeblue]

george bush in a skirt. I'll do whatever I want.

[Pinkmarbles]

She has more kahunas than you will ever have!

[daves333]

Perhaps since most liberals feel the constitution is out dated and doesn't mean a whole lot, they should grit their teeth and bare it and see what it has to say. I mean even this article talks about
article I of the constitution when you should be referring to article II where it says

"Clause 4: The Vice President of the United States shall be President of the Senate, but shall have no Vote, unless they be equally divided."

Of course we all know the VP decides a tie, but it quite clearly states the VP shall be president of the senate. Sorry folks but Sarah was right, like it or not.

[Joeblue]

You're full of s h i t.

[daves333]

Article I of the constitution talks about the legisletive branch, which Biden was wrong thought it talked about the executive branch, thats article II of the constitution. In article I of the constitution is states, and I'll repeat this again for you Joeblue.

"Clause 4: The Vice President of the United States shall be President of the Senate, but shall have no Vote, unless they be equally divided."

I recomend reading it Joeblue, find out who is really full of what.
http://www.house.gov/house/Constitution/Constitution.html

[bronceye]

"President of the Senate" is a ceremonial position and meaningless official title. His only POWER is to cast the deciding vote in case of a tie. He has been awarded the honor of swearing in new Senators w/o a bible. Bibles are used for photo-ops. His exclusion from Senate business was defined when Adams was vp and tried to twist arms.

[daves333]

Please if you dont mind showing me where in the constitution it states that, you can take it how you want but it states what it states. So she certainly wasn't wrong unlike Biden who didnt even know what article talked about what.

[CyrusBeaucephus]

daves333
Member Since September 2008

[daves333]

I didn't realize you had to be on here for any length of time to make a comment. If the facts bother you that much that i make then i suggest finding somewhere else to make yours.

[keepemhonest]

What a lying, coniving, creepy woman ...

she said, "that's something Piper would ask me"

Um... Sarah ... 3 months ago YOU said, "someone will have to tell me what the VP does." So ... YOU, 7 year old Piper and 8 year old Brandon had no idea the job duties of the VP of America ...

AND .. YOU ARE WRONG ... YOU GAVE BRANDON THE WRONG ANSWER!!!

[daves333]

Actually she was right and you are wrong, but i know you get your info from the media so here are the facts for you.

Article I , Section 3 of the United States Constitution
"Clause 4: The Vice President of the United States shall be President of the Senate, but shall have no Vote, unless they be equally divided."

[ralph10]

Kee[ sticking up for her. Brilliant

[Jwoo]

You're just proving yourself wrong. If you consider the ability to vote in a tie to be "in charge of" anything you have a really interesting way of looking at things. "President" of the Senate" is nothing more than a title, and the constitution doesn't say anything to the contrary.

[keepemhonest]

What a creepy, conning woman ...

she said, "tee hee .... that's something Piper would ask me"

Um... Sarah ... 3 months ago YOU said, "someone will have to tell me what the VP does." So ... YOU, 7 year old Piper and 8 year old Brandon had no idea the job duties of the VP of America ...

AND .. YOU ARE WRONG ... YOU GAVE BRANDON THE WRONG ANSWER!!!

[hortonhearsawho]

Your a Hoot Sarah. Can you stay for the holidays, our office party clown canceled.