Biden To Be Barred From Democratic Caucus Meetings

Politico's Mike Allen is previewing an article set to appear in Sunday's Las Vegas Sun about Harry Reid's efforts to roll back the Vice President's expanded role under Dick Cheney by barring Joe Biden from Senate Democratic caucus meetings:

"The new Congress will reassert its constitutional independence from the White House by barring the vice president from joining in internal Senate deliberations, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said in an interview with The Sun. The move is intended to restore checks and balances to a system that tilted heavily toward the White House in the Bush presidency. By giving Vice President Dick Cheney regular access to Senate Republican caucuses, at times with White House advisers in tow, party unity became more important to many Republicans than upholding their responsibilities to provide legislative oversight of the executive, experts say. Asked if Vice-President Joe Biden will be allowed to attend Senate Democratic caucus meetings, Reid said: 'Absolutely not.'" Must credit Las Vegas Sun. Full story 2 a.m. Sunday at http://www.lasvegassun.com/

ABC's Jake Tapper reports that the Biden camp has already signaled their agreement with Reid:

Biden spokesperson Elizabeth Alexander notes that Biden had "no intention" of going to the meetings anyway and there is no conflict at all between him and Reid.

"Vice President-elect Biden had no intention of continuing this practice started by Vice President Cheney of regularly attending internal legislative branch meetings," she told ABC News. "He firmly believes in restoring the Office of the vice president to its historical role. He and Sen. Reid see eye to eye on this."

Comments

[SparkyDash]

Headline doesn't make any sense (slaps forhead):

Biden spokesperson Elizabeth Alexander notes that Biden had "no intention" of going to the meetings anyway and there is no conflict at all between him and Reid.

[LightningJoe]

"Barring" Biden from Democratic Caucuses he has no intention of trying to attend is -- what, closing the barn door after the horse is gone? Pointless? An ethic without an edifice?

I'm sure the incoming VP had not imagined sitting in with the Senators as part of his duties. He would properly leave such process-twisting schenanigans for those who thought them up and are talented at them; ie, Cheney or another Con.

I'm glad the practice is (now) outre; but really, how does it work, to make the declaration ending it, a statement about Biden; when it's really a statement that it's been done wrong heretofore, and by our currently sitting VP (am I allowed to actually say the man's name?) Cheney.

Cheney. Bad. Cheney. Bad. Cheney. Bad. Cheney. Bad.

[ObjectiveRealist]

[
I'm glad the practice is (now) outre; but really, how does it work, to make the declaration ending it, a statement about Biden; when it's really a statement that it's been done wrong heretofore, and by our currently sitting VP (am I allowed to actually say the man's name?) Cheney.
]

The only way that it looks like a statement about Biden, is that he *does* repect the rule of law that Cheney evaded with his disingenuous "unitary executive" claptrap.

[Pulemerci]

They will keep a muzzle on the gaffe machine's mouth for the entire administration. Too bad. I liked his malaprops.

[SparkyDash]

Nice cheap jab...you obviously did not read the article and now you've embarrassed yourself.

[ibsteve2u]

"...party unity became more important to many Republicans than upholding their responsibilities to provide legislative oversight of the executive,..."

Nicely put. Of course, I would have said that the Republicans stopped being Americans in favor of Party unity - rather like history's other infamous Party devotees.

[atticus08]

I agree -- the use of the word "barred" in the headline, coupled with the dejected expression on his face in the photo give the appearance that this is somehow punitive, or at least personal. The truth is that Cheney shouldn't have been attending the meetings, and that Biden is in agreement that it's not within the role of the VP. It may seem picky to point it out, but unfortunately there are those who only look at photos and headlines and then jump to their own conclusions.

[ATTS bb3]

C'mon Post, the Sad face photo of Biden you chose to accompany the article is misleading, as further down it clarifies:

"ABC's Jake Tapper reports that the Biden camp has already signaled their agreement with Reid:

Biden spokesperson Elizabeth Alexander notes that Biden had "no intention" of going to the meetings anyway and there is no conflict at all between him and Reid.

"Vice President-elect Biden had no intention of continuing this practice started by Vice President Cheney of regularly attending internal legislative branch meetings," she told ABC News. "He firmly believes in restoring the Office of the vice president to its historical role. He and Sen. Reid see eye to eye on this."

[SammyGone]

He just took the shoe out of his mouth-hence the sad dejected look.

[flyingmonkey]

Is that how you feel when your foot is removed from your mouth? Or haven't you experienced that yet?

[SparkyDash]

snap

[emncaity]

Really good news, and great that Biden's signaling his assent to this.

Now let's follow it up with some anti-unita­ry-executi­ve legislation--even a constitutional amendment--with real teeth, to make sure this nightmare never happens again. You want a legacy, President Obama? There's one very George Washingtonian way to get it.

[QuakerBeach]

A few months ago, HP published a list of the countries and dignataries Biden has met with on behalf of our country. Heck, I didn't even know some of the countries listed!

He will be an advisor to Obama and and he will influence Cap Hill. He doesn't have to meet with the Dems to browbeat them as Cheney did to the Reps. It's really not the VP role anyway. LBJ found that out when he became VP for Kennedy. He was banned by the Dems from caucusing. A little more constitution leads to a lot less aggravation.

[SparkyDash]

Biden has a big job ahead of him, which he js taking on with gusto.
The Senate in in his rearview mirror.

[stuckintx]

Just for the PRINCIPLE of "checks and balances" I was REALLY looking forward to the Democrats taking advantage of the precedents set by this Administration.

I have longed for the day to watch the Repugs and their porcine talking heads (Rush, Hannity, etc.) scream and stomp, just so that we could say "Ironic, ain't it?".

Reid, more and more, I am thanking you for nothing.

[citizenviewer]

Unless there's something to suggest that Biden is dejected, that photo has to go. Poor choice.

[fiorastar]

In the Vice-Presidential debate, Joe Biden made it clear he does not like the way Cheney has tried to influence the Senate and that he believes in the checks and balances of having the VP's role in the Senate be limited to breaking a tie vote. His role, I hope, will instead be to advise the President and to act as his emissary in foreign affairs, especially in situations where Clinton may need some help as SOS.

[US55588144]

Another stupid decision by the worthless Majority Leader. He couldn't pass gas let alone a bill. Biden would be a positive influence on the Senate. He knows how to work across the aisle. Reid and Pelosi are both pathetic when it comes to compromise and Bi-Partisanship. They should both be replaced.

[NewsWorthyBee]

Welcome back Mr. Constitution of the United States of America...we missed you...

[MarkInEugene]

HuffPost: I totally agree with other posters. Please get rid of this photo of Biden that is very misleading and stupid I might add. What you should have is a picture of Chenny sitting in on one of the legislative sessions!

[rr52]

Why are we paying attention to this with Biden when it was Cheney who should have made headlines until his practice of sitting in was stopped? Too late now. Things are just going back to normal is all.