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. SOURCEUm nope. That's not it. Wrong answer.
From Thinkprogress.org
Article I of the Constitution establishes an exceptionally limited role for the Vice President - giving the office holder a vote only when the Senate is "equally divided": The Vice President of the United States shall be President of the Senate, but shall have no vote, unless they be equally divided. Moreover, the U.S. Senate website explains that the modern role of Vice Presidents has been to preside over the Senate "only on ceremonial occasions." ThinkProgress contacted Senior Assistant Parliamentarian Peter Robinson, who also disputed Palin's characterization of the Vice President's role: In modern practice the Vice President doesn't really control the Senate. ... If anyone has a responsibility to try to govern the Senate, it's the responsibility of the two leaders.Further, Thinkprogress spoke to Jim Manley, spokesman to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV), he says:
This comment is all the more puzzling because this is at least the 2nd time she has said this. Gov Palin needs to re-read or perhaps read for the first time the Constitution. While the Vice President presides over the Senate, he or she is not in charge of it. Article 1 says The Vice President of the United States shall be President of the Senate, but shall have no vote, unless they be equally divided. The Senate is part of a co-equal branch of the federal government.PS Just a note, to the some of the Conservative "USA, USA" chanting type folks. One of my most cherished possessions is a little something I received as a birthday present from my mom last summer. It is a complete copy of the United States Constitution condensed into a 3" x 3" red leather book. Its beautiful cover is embossed with gold lettering. I keep it with me almost all the time. I wonder how many of you who chant "USA, USA" in response to protest or comments that you disagree with have ever taken the time to sit down and actually read this magnificent document? And if you have read our Constitution, how do you make sense of chanting "USA, USA" to refute opinions different from your own? I am so comforted by the fact that the candidate I am supporting for President of the United States of America was a Constitutional law professor.
PPS I am working from my local library this evening. In honor of Sarah Palin, I got a library card today.


Comments: (49)
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By: cred on 10/22/2008 11:29AM
Why doesn't someone question her husband on his beliefs of susession? I do believe he is more of a racist than they have tried to make Rev Wright out to be. Her stupidity is obvious, and since they are always trying to judge Obama's character/associations, put hers and her husband's on the agenda. Make him speak on the subject! Come on people, stop letting them pick and choose what they want to talk about.
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By: Mike on 10/22/2008 12:18PM
I wish I could say there were undertones of bigotry from this site but it's not even hidden...for shame on all of you.
Let's start with this column, should Mrs. Palin have answered a third grader with the one provided in the Constitution...I don't think so.
Secondly, the comment about "they" trying to make Rev Wright a racist. Okay, just who are you referring to by "they"?? That's a racist comment all alone. Further, it's an abomination that there is an iota of defense for Rev Wright's hatred of Whites and the country he so lovingly denigrates.
Why isn't more time spent in making us better inclusively rather than tear the fabric of what makes us a special country with divisive speech.
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By: Joe T. Plumber on 10/22/2008 1:20PM
COURIC: Why isn't it better, Governor Palin, to spend $700 billion helping middle-class families who are struggling with health care, housing, gas and groceries; allow them to spend more and put more money into the economy instead of helping these big financial institutions that played a role in creating this mess?
PALIN: That's why I say I, like every American I'm speaking with, were ill about this position that we have been put in where it is the taxpayers looking to bail out. But ultimately, what the bailout does is help those who are concerned about the health-care reform that is needed to help shore up our economy, helping the—it's got to be all about job creation, too, shoring up our economy and putting it back on the right track. So health-care reform and reducing taxes and reining in spending has got to accompany tax reductions and tax relief for Americans. And trade, we've got to see trade as opportunity, not as a competitive, scary thing. But one in five jobs being created in the trade sector today, we've got to look at that as more opportunity. All those things under the umbrella of job creation. This bailout is a part of that.
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By: richard on 10/22/2008 1:33PM
If governor Palin is dumber than a third grader that still makes her smarter than 75% of black Americans.
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By: Frank on 10/22/2008 1:54PM
Richard you are one dumb white boy!I am hoping that next time that you are out driving that you hit a telephone pole head-on and go straight to hell.
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By: DarkNLovely on 10/22/2008 2:19PM
C'mon, is anyone really surprised by news that Palin is about as bright as a 5-watt bulb? She opted to do a stint on SNL but refused to do a press conference fearing that without prompters or cue cards she'd be at a complete and total loss for words...I'm just waiting for her to fulfill the ultimate stereotype and dye her hair blonde.
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By: gail biggers on 10/22/2008 2:22PM
Richard are you serious, I have a college education and an African -American female. how Dare you say that 75% of black americans are dumber thaN A third grader. As for experience Ms Palin should have known the answer and been to explain it to the third grader isn't the youngest daughter about that age?
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By: DarkNLovely on 10/22/2008 2:39PM
People, people, wise up. Don't spend your time responding to "Dick". For all you know you may actually be responding to Palin herself, in which case, you know you're not going to get an intelligent response - if by chance it's not her, it'll be some other backwards, ignorant, countrybumpkin hoping to distract you from the topic at hand...keep it movin' and don't fall for the McCain/Palin tactics.
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By: Tachea on 10/22/2008 4:35PM
Palin is dumber than a third grader, and the sad thing is she has been asked that question four times, how can she be the vice president when she doesn't know what that is? Biden told her in the debate what a vp is, and she still doesn't get it its so sad. If we vote for them we're so sad.
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By: tom on 10/22/2008 5:57PM
she did not believe Biden or she did'nt hear him she was'nt prompted to the answer
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