10/21/2008
Sarah Palin Still Doesn't Understand the Vice President's Role
Said Palin in an interview with Colorado's KUSA, in response to a question from a third-grader about the role of the Vice President:
"That's a great question, Brandon, and a Vice President has a really great job, because no only are they there to support the President agenda, they're like a team member, the team mate to that President. But also, they're in charge of the United States 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. And it's a great job and I look forward to having that job."
Of course, the Vice President is not "in charge" of the Senate, but only presides on ceremonial occasions and in case of a divided Senate, casts a vote.
Watch it, AFTER THE JUMP...
Palin Claims The Vice President Is ‘In Charge Of The U.S. Senate [think progress]
Me fail civics? That's unpossible! [daily kos]
Posted 7:15 PM EST by Andy Towle in News, Republican Party, Sarah Palin | Permalink
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The VP could, if he or she wanted, preside over the Senate every day they're in session. It's only custom that has him there at "ceremonial" occasions. In addition, the Senate creates its own operating rules and could at any time expand the role of the President of the Senate (whether that's likely to happen is another issue).
Posted by: Mike | Oct 21, 2008 7:34:27 PM
When this site deals with entertainment, technology etc I love it. When it delves into politics it makes me ashamed to be gay.
Posted by: Mark | Oct 21, 2008 7:48:30 PM
Does not surprise me, as it is kind of irrelevant to repukes for such minor things such as "Laws", "standards", "procedures", "The US Constitution" and the like.
Following the law would make them almost equal to us common people and most certainly these anti-american repukes don't want that!
Their motto is "Lie or use big words to confuse the ignorant". Just look @ Faux News!
Posted by: mike | Oct 21, 2008 7:53:08 PM
Sarah Plain is so out of touch that a third grader is smarter and to think, there are millions of people who will vote for this chick, she is way too hateful to be called a lady.
Posted by: Ty | Oct 21, 2008 8:05:42 PM
Really Mark? You watched that video and what you're ashamed of is this site?
Posted by: Dan | Oct 21, 2008 8:19:26 PM
Mark, with all do respect, how does this sites reporting politics
make you ashamed to be gay? Why do you log on to it if it makes you ashamed of yourself? There are many site I don't agree with
and I don't log on to them. It's actually pretty simple. For example, i choose not to watch Fox News because it makes me sick to my stomach to think there are people out there who think the way that channel reports. I just simply by pass it on my remote and then I don't have to focus on how shameful I am that there are Americans who feel that way.
Posted by: will | Oct 21, 2008 8:23:49 PM
"When it delves into politics it makes me ashamed to be gay."
Really, why? Or maybe I should leave that to the psychiatrist's couch? If this blog didn't delve into politics at this crucial time in our history, frankly, I wouldn't be visiting it half as much. Obviously, some people are uncomfortable (particularly right-leaning people) because Andy is showing more of a political POV these days, but I see that as a strength rather than a shameful fault. (Leave neutrality to Anderson Cooper.)
Clearly, Palin doesn't understand the VP's role, which she also demonstrated in the debate when she implied she wanted the office to hold more power. (Just what we need, another Cheney, but with vastly less experience!) Maybe once she's back in Alaska, she'll have time to research. I don't think Palin is dumb, just thoroughly unprepared for the role she's been thrown into and not humble enough to recognize her own limitations, much like our current president. I loathe her wrong and careless positions but admire her moxie (as long as it doesn't land in DC).
Posted by: Ernie | Oct 21, 2008 8:40:01 PM
With all due respect Mark, what was it about the posting of the video did you find so repulsive that it made you feel "Ashamed" to be GAY?? Andy, who manages this blog, did not editorialize,did not comment on the lack of Palin's knowledge of HER POTENTIAL Post, nor was there any hint whatsoever of any political bias (in fact it was the perfect form of news reporting - "LET THE READER MAKE THEIR OWN JUDGMENT ON THE VIDEO" - so if you found this so embarrassing to you that you are ashamed to be a GAY MAN - then please tell us what you found offensive, seriously! You made a statement now deliver!!
Posted by: alex in boston | Oct 21, 2008 8:44:55 PM
With all due respect Mark, what was it about the posting of the video did you find so repulsive that it made you feel "Ashamed" to be GAY?? Andy, who manages this blog, did not editorialize,did not comment on the lack of Palin's knowledge of HER POTENTIAL Post, nor was there any hint whatsoever of any political bias (in fact it was the perfect form of news reporting - "LET THE READER MAKE THEIR OWN JUDGMENT ON THE VIDEO" - so if you found this so embarrassing to you that you are ashamed to be a GAY MAN - then please tell us what you found offensive, seriously! You made a statement now deliver!!
Posted by: alex in boston | Oct 21, 2008 8:45:46 PM
i'm pleased to know that the blog resides firmly in the "reality-based community."
and if i'm not mistaken, there's no mission statement here that says towleroad may only contain stories directly about gay people. this is certainly an election that we especially should care about (and Palin in particular should scare the bejeezus out of every gay american). but regardless, the reason i tune in here is because Andy consistently brings up things i think are *interesting*. you know, as a human being who lives on planet earth. do you hate it when he posts astronomy stories also?
Posted by: le_sacre | Oct 21, 2008 8:50:58 PM
She said "they're IN CHARGE of the United States Senate." I think that is pushing it, but I'm not a lawyer, nor a constitutional scholar.
I cannot understand why the inclusion of political issues would make anyone "ashamed" of being gay. Something is wrong with that picture.
Posted by: Stick | Oct 21, 2008 8:51:54 PM
More than just palin are dumber than a 3rd grader
Per the constitution of the US the VP's powers are 2
1- replace the president if need be
2- break a tie vote in the senate
that is it
Yes the VP can sit in on and watch the senate every day it is in session but can't do anything at all if their isn't a tie vote
The senate can not!!!!!! ever never "creates its own operating rules and could at any time expand the role of the President of the Senate"
The only way to expand the power of the VP vis a vis the senate would be by constitutional amendment which isn't solely in the hands of the senate. How many americans would actually vote for such an amendment to the constitution expanding the power of the VP?
Posted by: Jimmyboyo | Oct 21, 2008 9:40:14 PM
"ashamed to be gay," sounds like a memeber of the Log Cabin club! Proud to be gay only in dark alleys and parks and/or when saying Palin is qualifed and tolerant.
Posted by: Marc | Oct 21, 2008 10:09:19 PM
My guess is that MARK was ashamed long before he set eyes on this site.
Posted by: Taro | Oct 22, 2008 12:31:25 AM
Mark, your comment doesn't even make any sense. Since when has being gay and being interested in politics been mutually exclusive?
Posted by: RJ | Oct 22, 2008 3:54:36 AM
Don't think for a minute that this woman wouldn't lead the charge to change the Constitution to Protect Straight Marriage from us. The smile and pretend to tolerant us to get the vote then they sink a knife in our back. This party is evil, they are NOT our friend. Beware!
Posted by: Mike the Cop | Oct 22, 2008 6:26:02 AM
Did you see the Jason Jones piece on The Daily Show from Monday night? http://www.thedailyshow.com/video/index.jhtml?videoId=188638&title=Understanding-Real-America-in-Wasilla
The Mayor of Wasilla could not think of one thing she does during the day. How does that prepare you to be vice president?
Posted by: JoeDE | Oct 22, 2008 8:19:58 AM
Look, I'd normally be the absolute last person to defend Sarah Palin, but I think this is all much ado about nothing. She was replying, after all, to a third grader, and I don't think describing the vice president as "being in charge of the Senate" is such a bad way of phrasing it to a third grader. This woman is a clown, yes, but there are plenty of other things out there one can slam her on. This is just silly hair splitting.
Posted by: Joel | Oct 22, 2008 9:13:16 AM
Mark, if watching that video on this site makes you ashamed to be gay, then I suggest you act on the choice she thinks you have--just go straight and get off the site.
Posted by: David D. | Oct 22, 2008 9:42:40 AM
Frankly, I am not a gay man and I love this site for its gossip as well as its politics.
Posted by: Rhea | Oct 22, 2008 10:21:02 AM
She was a joke 8 weeks ago, she is a joke today.
Posted by: Derrick from Philly | Oct 22, 2008 10:30:39 AM
I think she knows exactly what she is talking about. If elected, she is certainly going to try to run rough shod all over the Senate. See: Abuses of Power in Alaska. Whether or not she is able to, lets hope she never gets the chance.
Posted by: TroyTooner | Oct 22, 2008 11:56:57 AM
Joel, if a 3rd grader even understands the concept of the Senate and "policy changes", surely he can understand the simplicity of what Jimmy Boyo wrote above - namely "replace the President if need be" and "break a tie vote in the Senate". In neither scenario does "being in charge of the Senate" come into play. Her saying that was simply being ignorant and NOT phrasing it for an 8 yr old.
Posted by: RJ | Oct 22, 2008 12:20:08 PM
Thank you Troytooner! It has been driving me nuts that people allow Sarah Palin to be portrayed as stupid, when in fact she is slyly trying to extend Cheney's expansion of the VP's role. This is not a stupid woman. Inexperienced, yes. Dangerous, yes. Stupid, no.
Don't let our enemies off the hook by letting them be portrayed as a joke. This is no joke. In all seriousness, this extreme right wing zealot would like to expand the powers of the executive branch and use that power to further her pigheaded agenda.
Posted by: gay as life | Oct 22, 2008 12:28:21 PM
Joel, are you serious?? This isn't hair-splitting or just simplifying an answer for a child, this is a completely inaccurate description of the function of the VP. I really try to be polite when it comes to politics, but I keep asking myself- every time Palin sticks her foot in her mouth (and she does it a lot)- how can the GOP's top pick for the 2nd highest office in the nation be such a moron?? She's already an elected official for heavens sake! Every move she makes just points out that she is woefully unqualified, and if McCain won this election and god forbid something happen to him, because he is very old and has had several bouts with cancer, SARAH PALIN WOULD BE THE PRESIDENT!!
Personally, I think we'd be better off with that kid she was lying to.
Posted by: pfenix14 | Oct 23, 2008 12:30:21 AM