Left very upset at Palin’s explanation of VP role to a third-grader
posted at 3:35 pm on October 22, 2008 by Allahpundit
Here’s what Biden said earlier this month:
“I hope one of my roles as vice president will be as the person actually implementing Barack Obama’s policy. You gotta get the Congress to go along with it,” he said. “And it’s presumptuous to say, but I know it pretty well. And I think I am fairly respected on both sides of the aisle.”
And here’s Palin making basically the same point after being asked by a third-grader what the Vice President does. The crux of the complaint is her shorthand that the VP’s “in charge” of the Senate to explain that the VP is, technically, president of the Senate, even though he/she doesn’t actually preside, and has the power to cast tie-breaking votes. Presumably the hoped-for answer was, “Engage in behind-the-scenes lobbying with Senators to advance the president’s agenda,” while making balloon animals. Or maybe, “Nothing, it’s a largely ornamental position,” followed by a game of Got Yer Nose.
Blowback
Note from Hot Air management: This section is for comments from Hot Air's community of registered readers. Please don't assume that Hot Air management agrees with or otherwise endorses any particular comment just because we let it stand. A reminder: Anyone who fails to comply with our terms of use may lose their posting privilege.
Trackbacks/Pings
Trackback URL
Comments
Comment pages: 1 2 Next »
Never mind that Joe Biden is an idiot. Look at Palin!!!!11!!!!
carbon_footprint on October 22, 2008 at 3:37 PM
Was that in Article 1 or 2?
originalpechanga on October 22, 2008 at 3:37 PM
Aaaahlrighty then… nothing derogatory about Palin at first glance…. oh wait!
Mcguyver on October 22, 2008 at 3:37 PM
It would be so cool if she actually does preside over the senate as much as possible. hee, hee.
RushBaby on October 22, 2008 at 3:37 PM
Palin: Good with Kids
Biden: Scares Kids
Make Your Choice.
*eats*
Grue in the Attic on October 22, 2008 at 3:38 PM
Historically they did preside over the Senate. It’s a modern phenomenon that the VP is more Executive than Legislative.
p0s3r on October 22, 2008 at 3:38 PM
Yeah, Palin got the VP job wrong. She forgot it was enumerated in Article I. Just ask Joe Biden.
BKennedy on October 22, 2008 at 3:39 PM
You’re funny, AP.
BTW, does anyone remember Obama telling that 7-year-old girl America “is not what it once was” when she asked him why he’s running?
Pasalubong on October 22, 2008 at 3:39 PM
Biden doesn’t scare kids anymore. Not with that new and improved smooth forehead™ he’s sporting now.
Well. And then there are the plugs. So, yeah. I guess he does scare kids.
wise_man on October 22, 2008 at 3:39 PM
Hey wait just one minute, Barack has the experience of helping to organize an group that has the sole purpose of disrupting businesses and creating a fraudulent election based on the demands of a minority of people on a national scale.
I bet Palin doesn’t have one tenth the experience of trying to create fraud, organizing American haters and voter dishonesty schemes.
Hmmmmmpf.
Hening on October 22, 2008 at 3:40 PM
Hair plugs are too tight again!!!
grapeknutz on October 22, 2008 at 3:40 PM
Sarah’cuda’s job…annoy the living crap out of liberals the world over.
Wyznowski on October 22, 2008 at 3:40 PM
Presides over/in charge of?
Tomahto/Tomato, what’s the big deal?
She’s talking to a third grader.
Someone Obama wants to teach gay sex/HIV education to.
Isn’t that more the outrage?
Gov Palin handled it well considering Biden didn’t even know what article of the constitution confers the VP duties.
eaglewingz08 on October 22, 2008 at 3:40 PM
Allah – you gotta get the Chris Matthews clip from Hard Ball where he became very frustrated with Pat Buchanan about this very issue.
journeyscarab on October 22, 2008 at 3:41 PM
Someone can correct me if I’m wrong – but I believe that Palin’s references to a more active role in the ‘President of the Senate’ responsibilities is constitutionally as well as historically correct.
Early VP’s performed that role as Palin suggests – and the constitution, while vague, allows the VP to act in that role, setting the agenda of items brought to the floor, etc..
Now, it’s been MANY, MANY years since a VP has actually excercised that right of position, but legally, and historically, she is correct in her characterizations.
And, as I said – I’m going off of brief research on Constitutional readings. So, if I am in error on this, please correct my assumptions here.
jrlingreenbay on October 22, 2008 at 3:41 PM
FIFY
abinitioadinfinitum on October 22, 2008 at 3:42 PM
Biden: You young folks should tell your mommies and daddies to vote for Barack Obama, so you can have days off of school when foreign powers try to “test” him after he gets into office!
Kids: O-BA-MA! *feet hit floor* O-BA-MA! *feet hit floor*
Biden(to teacher): Where’d they learn that?
Teacher: We do that in the morning instead of the fascist pledge of allegiance. Hopenchange, comrade.
Biden: How did it come to this?
MadisonConservative on October 22, 2008 at 3:42 PM
It doesn’t matter what the truth is. With PDS and BDS, the truth is the opposite of whatever Palin and Bush happen to say.
“What color is the sky, Governor?”
“In Alaska, its light blue some of the time, but for many months out of the year, the sun doesn’t come up and it is like nighttime. And other times, the sun’s magnetic output interacts with the earth’s atmosphere to create colorful stripes in the sky, known as the northern lights, and they are easily visible in Alaska.”
“Wrong!! Its fucking blue…with clouds. God you are the stupidest fucking backwoods moron I’ve ever seen.”
jimmy the notable on October 22, 2008 at 3:43 PM
She was explaining this to a 3rd grader. She explained it in terms 3rd graders and journalists could understand. Maaaaaybe even David Brooks and Kathleen Parker.
Abby Adams on October 22, 2008 at 3:43 PM
I thought the left was upset because Palin didn’t work in Heather Has Two Mommys and HIV Prevention: Putting a Condom on Your Partner in her answer?
Blake on October 22, 2008 at 3:43 PM
I don’t think it’s the in charge of the Senate part that the left objects to, on hearing this again. She directly said she has more executive experience than Obama has!
So the left is diverting the audience from her executive experience charge to a what did she mean by in charge of the Senate quip.
eaglewingz08 on October 22, 2008 at 3:43 PM
If I’m not mistaken, Biden incorrectly described the role of the VP to a group of adults.
amerpundit on October 22, 2008 at 3:44 PM
BFD. It is difficult to explain the VP’s job to anyone–”attend foreign funerals and regularly inquire on the health of the President”. Also, explaining things to children is difficult given their conceptual and vocabularly limitations.
dedalus on October 22, 2008 at 3:44 PM
Biden’s answer once was that he was going to be looking over Obama’s shoulder at every bill and every decision that comes across his desk, that is why Obama chose him.
It’s a shame, SNL could have a field day with Biden…he is that 4 letter word, FUNNY.
right2bright on October 22, 2008 at 3:45 PM
Imagine Biden trying to explain something to a third grader and his choppers fall out.
Go Sara-Cuda!!
AubieJon on October 22, 2008 at 3:45 PM
The left is more likely upset that the average third grader in that classroom now knows more about the constitution than they do.
Vashta.Nerada on October 22, 2008 at 3:45 PM
Good grief! But was she wearing a new outfit when she did it?
JAM on October 22, 2008 at 3:45 PM
She looks fabulous in that outfit. Money well spent.
Again, her experience really trumps the other 3 in the race since they are running for an executive position.
“Are you ready?” Well, she’s over 35 and a natural born citizen…..so, yeah.
I’ll fix Joe’s comment for him.
Dr.Cwac.Cwac on October 22, 2008 at 3:47 PM
This is stupid.
Everyone knows that you simplify things when talking to children.
I suppose she should have busted out “The Vice President of the United States shall be President of the Senate, but shall have no vote, unless they be equally divided.” and then explained the difference between a president and a president pro tempore.
People are grasping at straws here.
JadeNYU on October 22, 2008 at 3:47 PM
Amerpundit – I believe you’re right!
Of course, Biden is not much smarter than a 3rd grader, despite his protests to the opposite.
kybowexar on October 22, 2008 at 3:47 PM
She could have said “shoot lawyers and keep cartoonists employed.” I’d have given credit for that answer.
Yeesh; It’s third-graders. Not dumb, but not that detail-oriented. When I was a boy scout, earning that citizenship in the nation merit badge, the reporting was pretty high level. If you could use the word “bicameral” in a sentence, you were ahead of the curve. I could recite “I’m just a bill” from memory.
Back then, Nelson Rockefeller was the third vice president I had known about in my brief life. (The fourth, “Hubert Who?” I didn’t know.) the third in so many years. What did he do? “Mark time.” What did Ford do? “fill in.” What did Agnew do? “leave.”
It seems every VP gets a one- or two-word summation. Cheney? “Vader.” Gore? “Lockbox.” Quayle? “Potatoe.” Bush 1? “Voodoo Economics”. Fair or not, we’re a bumper sticker culture. We’ve pretty much settled on “hair plugs” for Biden (or “lying pantload”) and “Caribou Barbie” for Palin (personally, I prefer “Velvet Hammer”).
sulla on October 22, 2008 at 3:48 PM
The Vice President is President of the Senate. Tell Obama and his minions that if he’s elected President of the United States that he will not be “in charge” of the country and see what happens.
zmdavid on October 22, 2008 at 3:48 PM
Actually Abby, a third grade level is too nuanced an understanding for most journalists.
rbj on October 22, 2008 at 3:48 PM
The VP is the president of the Senate, the role is not strictly limited to casting a tie vote. If it were, then why would there need to be a President pro tempore? From article 1:
JamesB on October 22, 2008 at 3:49 PM
Would you mind not spelling that word out? It’s just not the right word to spell out on HotAir.
Thanks.
Other then that, you are right on.
right2bright on October 22, 2008 at 3:49 PM
When did the Left start caring so much about the Constitution? They, I thought, had offered to liberate us from the tyranny of this archaic document.
jazz_piano on October 22, 2008 at 3:50 PM
The tragic, irony-ridden author side of me can’t help but see Joseph Biden as one of the first victims of the Obama Administration. Goofy as he is, I can’t help but feel sorry for him – just like I can’t get the following mental image out of my mind:
Biden: Barack! What’s going on?? What do you think you’re doing???
Obama: That’s President Obama, Joe. And I’m just making sure it stays that way.
Biden: Barack, you have to stop this! You’ve gone too far! What…! *security agent shoots him, Biden dies*
Obama: You’ve outlived your usefulness, Joe. All dissenters will be exterminated.
Security Team: HIEL, OBAMA!
*shudder*
Grue in the Attic on October 22, 2008 at 3:51 PM
That’s because she was probably speaking above the Left’s head.
Maxx on October 22, 2008 at 3:51 PM
Everyone knows that the role of the VP is to pull the puppet strings of the President, forcing him to do what the VP wants, while supporting Haliburton, and your oil rich buddies.
We all learned that from the NYT and the other liberals the last 8 years.
right2bright on October 22, 2008 at 3:52 PM
Nuh-uhh. They told me, like, they were, uh, really totally smart. They even has these pretty papers that says they is. Can’t argue with papers.
Abby Adams on October 22, 2008 at 3:53 PM
Let’s give Sarah credit.
All she is doing is talking to the third graders, not dragging them off to watch a lesbian wedding.
fogw on October 22, 2008 at 3:53 PM
Biden is much smarter than Palin. He knows the three letter word that describes what the activity of the Vice President if elected, and that’s “jobs,” Spelled “J” – “O” – “B” – “S”, jobs.
wise_man on October 22, 2008 at 3:53 PM
If only that could be true in a McCain/Palin administration. (:
jazz_piano on October 22, 2008 at 3:53 PM
Yes, yet another gross misstatement of fact that the MSM conveniently overlooked from Joe “I’m a lawyer, I teach law school classes, and I’ve been in the Senate for 30 years” Biden.
Can you imagine if Gov. Palin had made a mistake like that in a subject matter on which she professes expertise and actually teaches? It would have been the headline story on every news channel for several days. But Biden once again exposes his massive ignorance and incompetence, and nobody in the MSM can be bothered to notice, let alone comment on what it might mean in terms of his fitness for a higher office.
AZCoyote on October 22, 2008 at 3:53 PM
Yes, yes. But does she know how many letters in J-O-B-S?
SAZMD on October 22, 2008 at 3:54 PM
When ISN’T the Left upset over something?
Metro on October 22, 2008 at 3:54 PM
Right before your eyes, you can see why left is terrified by Gov. Sarah Palin…………..
If you listen carefully, you can hear them screaming…….
Seven Percent Solution on October 22, 2008 at 3:57 PM
Per Allahpundit: Nobody uses the F-bomb.
Acceptable subsitutes include: f**k, flok, fork, feek, fenk, fisk.
My preference is fark. Sounds funny and rolls off the toungue as well as fu – that other word.
ManlyRash on October 22, 2008 at 3:57 PM
You know, me too. The thing is, while I see Biden as your typical arrogant East Coast liberal, I still put him a few pegs down the ladder from the likes of, say, Frank, Dodd, Schumer, et al., because I haven’t found any history of him being involved in corruption. Sad standard to have to consider that a “better than average” senator, but I digress. On the trail, he strikes me as a guy who really has something in him that wants to make something of himself, and to reach out, but he’s just so full of himself that he doesn’t even realize how narcissistic he sounds at times. He’s blinded by his own arrogance, coupled with his typical polished Washington act.
Obama is a far more fearful guy. He’s impulsive, dismissive, and vindictive. Only people I loathe more than him are his supporters and advisors. It occurs to me that while he’s not a total fool, he is a puppet to a great extent. His short political career has catapulted him at a rate that very, very few can handle. I believe deep down, he’s realizing that he’s in over his head, and he’s only sustained by the cult of personality created around him. If that cult crumbles, he’ll be back on Chicago’s skid row, handing out bottles of Mad Dog and Ripple for votes.
MadisonConservative on October 22, 2008 at 3:57 PM
WOW, Sarah looks great in red. Yum.
Wait….is “great” a code word for sexist?
Bishop on October 22, 2008 at 3:58 PM
From the Senate’s website:
Vice-Presidential Duties
The framers also devoted scant attention to the vice president’s duties, providing only that he “shall be President of the Senate, but shall have no Vote, unless they be evenly divided” (Article I, section 3). In practice, the number of times vice presidents have exercised this right has varied greatly.
… [snip] ….
The vice president’s other constitutionally mandated duty was to receive from the states the tally of electoral ballots cast for president and vice president… [snip]
Several framers ultimately refused to sign the Constitution, in part because they viewed the vice president’s legislative role as a violation of the separation of powers doctrine. [snip] Others thought the office unnecessary but agreed with Connecticut delegate Roger Sherman that “if the vice-President were not to be President of the Senate, he would be without employment, and some member [of the Senate, acting as presiding officer] must be deprived of his vote.”
Under the original code of Senate rules, the presiding officer exercised great power over the conduct of the body’s proceedings. Rule XVI provided that “every question of order shall be decided by the President [of the Senate], without debate; but if there be a doubt in his mind, he may call for a sense of the Senate.” Thus, contrary to later practice, the presiding officer was the sole judge of proper procedure and his rulings could not be turned aside by the full Senate without his assent.
… [snip] …
During the twentieth century, the role of the vice president has evolved into more of an executive branch position. Now, the vice president is usually seen as an integral part of a president’s administration and presides over the Senate only on ceremonial occasions or when a tie-breaking vote may be needed. Yet, even though the nature of the job has changed, it is still greatly affected by the personality and skills of the individual incumbent.
Y-not on October 22, 2008 at 4:02 PM
I for one would LOVE to see how Harry Reid would react if VP Palin showed up on the first day of the next session and told him he could take his seating there with the other Senators.
OBQuiet on October 22, 2008 at 4:02 PM
Exactly.
CP on October 22, 2008 at 4:02 PM
SarahCuda in red!
The colour of red is power!
And power=Victory!
canopfor on October 22, 2008 at 4:03 PM
No, but “red” is a codeword for “communist” or “socialist”.
“Socialist” is a codeword for “black”.
Therefore, “red” = “black”. Get it?
Dr.Cwac.Cwac on October 22, 2008 at 4:04 PM
Chris Matthews nearly had a
heartblood pumping organ attack on this subject yesterday.aquaviva on October 22, 2008 at 4:04 PM
It’s what I typically use. That, and Frsk/Fsrk. Likely originally a typo but it’s grown on me for some reason.
*eats*
Grue in the Attic on October 22, 2008 at 4:05 PM
LMAO
*eats*
Grue in the Attic on October 22, 2008 at 4:05 PM
So does this mean that the two of the are the Affirmative Action/ADA ticket?
Dr.Cwac.Cwac on October 22, 2008 at 4:06 PM
Obama/Biden: The Pity Ticket
*eats*
Grue in the Attic on October 22, 2008 at 4:07 PM
“Logic is that anatomy of thought.”
-John Locke
Dr.Cwac.Cwac on October 22, 2008 at 4:08 PM
Obama/Biden: Winning the White House one protected group at a time.
Dr.Cwac.Cwac on October 22, 2008 at 4:09 PM
Biden:
Don’t cry for me, Archuleta!
Ifill:
You were supposed to have been impressive
That’s all we wanted
Not much to ask for
Biden:
I cribbed my promise
We’ll go the distance
My B.S. promise…
[From "Joe Biden" starring Madonna]
sulla on October 22, 2008 at 4:12 PM
I think it could be pretty entertaining to see Sarah Palin presiding over the Senate. I have a feeling she’s thinking of showing up more often than other Vice Presidents and that could get real interesting.
CP on October 22, 2008 at 4:15 PM
Good point. Next time Sen. Biden and Mrs. Palin apply for a babysitting position at my house, I’ll be sure to pick Mrs. Palin. Not because she’s hot but because she’s “Good with Kids.”
You suppose she can iron my shirt, too?
factoid on October 22, 2008 at 4:25 PM
Humor is lost on you isn’t it? :P
*eats*
Grue in the Attic on October 22, 2008 at 4:26 PM
So many possibilities…
Because the Left doesn’t like it when people talk over their heads like that?
Because the Left has claimed responsibility for schoolchildren’s political
indoctrinationeducation?Because they forgot to take their medication again?
Because it’s Wednesday?
Besides, everyone knows the V.P.’s job is to go out and shoot lawyers in the face. At least with Palin, we know she’s not likely to bungle the job by using birdshot.
malclave on October 22, 2008 at 4:29 PM
Judging by the trackbacks, they’re VERY angry….
It's Vintage, Duh on October 22, 2008 at 4:29 PM
Tomorrow’s headline: Dumbest Statement by Politician Ever: Palin Suggests Sun Rises In East
ClintACK on October 22, 2008 at 4:33 PM
Me too.
This would be awesome.
I might have to tune into CSPAN-2 from time to time…
ClintACK on October 22, 2008 at 4:34 PM
Palin should have given this definition word for word to the third grader. Then finished off by saying, “Also, Santa Claus doesn’t exist and your puppy didn’t go off to doggie summer camp, he was run over by your drunk father.”
BohicaTwentyTwo on October 22, 2008 at 4:42 PM
Actually that is by choice for the last 40 years, not that it is the law. In fact when the VP attends the Senate and acts in their roll as President of the Senate then they do in fact preside over the Senate proceedings.
JeffinSac on October 22, 2008 at 4:46 PM
Say what you want about Joe, he certainly has a healthy ego.
Yeah, Joe, we all respect a guy who thinks FDR was president when the stock market crashed, and he got right on the tube to talk to the masses about it. That’d be my word for it. R-E-S-P-E-C-T.
capitalist piglet on October 22, 2008 at 4:59 PM
Keith was definitely angry…
mycowardice on October 22, 2008 at 4:59 PM
Allah – you didn’t tell us you met with Sarah.
Fuquay Steve on October 22, 2008 at 5:01 PM
I KNEW somebody was gonna beat me to it.
The bias is really getting
noticeableextremeridiculoussuper-cala-fragalistic-expialidoshus.misterpeasea on October 22, 2008 at 5:03 PM
Even though the VP is the presiding officer of the senate can you imagine the “flap” that would arise if the VP actually tried to exercise the power granted in the constitution? In theory the VP could control the bills considered and all other activities. If Palin becomes the VP I hope she tries to exercise such control. It would be fun to watch.
duff65 on October 22, 2008 at 5:12 PM
And good=evil & evil=good. What Bible verse is that again?
Badger40 on October 22, 2008 at 5:19 PM
When ya get around to buying a few more, we can talk about it.
As long as ya only own one, it’s a moot point
taboo on October 22, 2008 at 5:40 PM
Isaiah 5:20:
Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter! (ASV)
*eats*
Grue in the Attic on October 22, 2008 at 5:45 PM
I think one of the Vice-President’s duties is that they’re supposed to invent something miraculous…..
Dan Quayle invented ( or inspired ) spell-check.
Al Gore invented the internet.
Maybe Joe Biden would invent a new method of hair replacement?
Sarah could invent a new sport – “Media hunting from helicopters”…. geez, wouldn’t that make a great reality series….. I’d pay the extra $10.00 a month to Dish network to get the package with that channel
jrlingreenbay on October 22, 2008 at 5:45 PM
On a side note….can ya’ll stop referring to Gov Palin presiding over the Senate?
I keep getting flashes of thigh-high leather boots and cracking whips whenever ya say it……and the fact that Reid and Pelosi seem to be present is gonna give me nightmares for a week. And daymares. And….
taboo on October 22, 2008 at 5:46 PM
Absolutely.
No, don’t bother taking it off first.
Oh, stop screaming, you big baby, it’s just water…
sulla on October 22, 2008 at 6:05 PM
Depending on your position on hyphenation, this headline is either 9 or 10 words too long.
Jim Treacher on October 22, 2008 at 6:17 PM
+1!!
*eats*
Grue in the Attic on October 22, 2008 at 6:20 PM
Nah, I’d say only 7 or 8, and an unnecessary “‘s”.
*eats*
Grue in the Attic on October 22, 2008 at 6:20 PM
Lack of balanced coverage like this is why I no longer watch 99.99% of the media.
madmonkphotog on October 22, 2008 at 6:26 PM
the left is very upset that conservatives are still alive…
right4life on October 22, 2008 at 6:32 PM
As usual, the MSM runs with the liberal fantasy spouted by Joe Biden instead of the 100% accurate and fact-based explanation of the Vice-Presidency given by Palin.
As usual, it is the Liberal MSM who hasn’t read the Constitution: they either just took Joe Biden’s word (stupid move) for what was in it, or they are writing from within their alternate liberal universe where “if you wish for something hard enough, it’s Constitutional“!!
landlines on October 22, 2008 at 6:38 PM
It is to the point where the left will say anything to bring discredit to Gov. Palin.
Next thing you know, they will say Socialism is a racial slur, oops, too late.
http://www.prospect.org/cs/articles?article=is_john_lewis_right_after_all
mindhacker on October 22, 2008 at 6:41 PM
Ah, the ever shifting linguistic precision game of the left once again. That and ignoring Biden’s remarks on the VP role.
aikidoka on October 22, 2008 at 6:50 PM
I would absolutely love it if Palin showed up in the Senate ready to run things if McCain wins. She is allowed to do it, and that doesn’t just mean breaking tie votes. It is just that traditionally the VP hasn’t done it for quite some while now, but there is no reason she couldn’t. It would really shake things up with the Dems.
Buford on October 22, 2008 at 7:03 PM
What the hell is up with the red jump suit? Is this Evil Kenivil week in Alaska?
foreverright on October 22, 2008 at 7:20 PM
I hope one of my roles as vice president will be as the person actually implementing Barack Obama’s policy.
Yes, but Biden didn’t say that he would be “in charge of the Senate.”
Now that kind of statement will either win her respect or draw quite a few laughs from members of the Senate. You guess…
foreverright on October 22, 2008 at 7:23 PM
I’d love to see Sarah up in the chair telling Dingy Harry Reid he’s out of order. Please, god, let it happen.
SouthernGent on October 22, 2008 at 7:26 PM
Comment pages: 1 2 Next »