The LineThat Could SINK McCain & Palin

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-08-2008
The LineThat Could SINK McCain & Palin
33
Sat, 10-04-2008 - 4:35am


http://images.huffingtonpost.com/gen/41910/thumbs/r-WINKER-medium260.jpg Howard Dean is 'over the top'


 



The Line That Could Sink McCain-Palin

In last night's debate, there was one answer that caused the entire left blogosphere to spit coffee all over their keyboards, and worked Chris Matthews up. But, the line was largely lost in today's analysis. In the end, however, it could be the undoing of the McCain campaign.



In response to a question as to whether Dick Cheney's view of the Vice Presidency was right, not only did Sarah Palin say it was, but hinted that she'd like even MORE power, as VP.


In just over a week, it is expected that the Troopergate report on Palin's alleged abuse of power will come out. While Republicans have tried like hell to make this seem like a partisan hunt, they've have their legs cut out with every step. In fact, just last evening before Palin took the stage, the court rejected two Republican motions to stop the investigation. And, by the way, it isn't looking good. Apparently, one witness who had maintained Palin did nothing wrong, flipped her story under oath.


And yet, to this point, the McCain campaign could have dismissed the Troopergate report as much ado about nothing - a small-time issue dealing with small time politics - if it implied Palin was guilty of abuse of power. Not that I agree with that, but I could see the McCain camp fluffing it off and pivoting to much more dire issues facing American families.


Not anymore.


If a report is issued that says there is enough to say Palin abused her power, coupling that with Palin's contention that she wants even more power than Dick Cheney will become a strangling distraction for the McCain campaign with just days to go until election day.


Unless there are scary-as-hell circumstances that cause American's to lose their passion for civil liberties and separation of powers (see Patriot Act), Americans traditionally look very poorly at power grabbing and abuse. Even FDR couldn't overcome this sentiment when he tried to pack the court, so it would rubber-stamp his policies.


Of course, this is all moot if the report issues no conclusive finding, or finds Palin innocent of any wrongdoing. But if it doesn't, watch for Palin's answer on Cheney and Power to become a part of any story on the Troopergate report. And from there, watch Senator McCain's campaign get thrown so far off course that it barely limps into Election Day.


http://www.huffingtonpost.com/eric-schmeltzer/the-line-that-could-sink_b_131728.html









iVillage Member
Registered: 07-25-2006
Sun, 10-05-2008 - 9:42pm

What exactly did she say that would make it seem as though she wanted more"power"


iVillage Member
Registered: 07-25-2006
Sun, 10-05-2008 - 9:49pm

Tell me the exact words in the Constitution that says the VP cannnot work with the Senate. Check out the link I provided previously about what some of the original VP's saw there role as, then get back to me about Biden's statement.



iVillage Member
Registered: 08-20-2008
Sun, 10-05-2008 - 9:54pm

"Dick Cheney, who borders on an anathema to some of us, would be seen as having had some serious clout and respect in Republican circles."

It's not so much that the Republicans respect Cheney - they let him get out of hand and feared him and Rove. The Republicans have forgotten how to check the corrupt powergrabbers among them. Ike kept Nixon in line. After Ike was gone, the party was on.

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-25-2006
Sun, 10-05-2008 - 10:03pm

<>What Biden was referring to:


iVillage Member
Registered: 08-20-2008
Sun, 10-05-2008 - 10:35pm

Palin is not just talking about working with the Senate:

"IFILL: Governor, you mentioned a moment ago the constitution might give the vice president more power than it has in the past. Do you believe as Vice President Cheney does, that the Executive Branch does not hold complete sway over the office of the vice presidency, that it it is also a member of the Legislative Branch?

PALIN: Well, our founding fathers were very wise there in allowing through the Constitution much flexibility there in the office of the vice president. And we will do what is best for the American people in tapping into that position and ushering in an agenda that is supportive and cooperative with the president's agenda in that position. Yeah, so I do agree with him that we have a lot of flexibility in there"

She is agreeing with Dick Cheney's view of the Vice Presidency and the Presidency - that's obviously the flexibility she is referring to. Dick Cheney believes in a theory called the unitary executive.

Here is what a unitary executive means, and it's not good - no checks and balances, just an autocratic President who can do anything he or she wants without much if any oversight.

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-26-2008
Sun, 10-05-2008 - 11:24pm
I think saying that women will go to hell that don't support her pretty much trumps anything else she says.... Don't you???
iVillage Member
Registered: 07-25-2006
Mon, 10-06-2008 - 8:48am

Historically some VP's have been


iVillage Member
Registered: 07-25-2006
Mon, 10-06-2008 - 8:52am
Agreed, a goofy line to have used, but consider the source. Wasn't

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-15-2008
Mon, 10-06-2008 - 9:09am

Here's what she said from the transcript of the debate that you can find online.


PALIN: No, no. Of course, we know what a vice president does. And that's not only to preside over the Senate and will take that position very seriously also. I'm thankful the Constitution would allow a bit more authority given to the vice president if that vice president so chose to exert it in working with the Senate and making sure that we are supportive of the president's policies and making sure too that our president understands what our strengths are. John McCain and I have had good conversations about where I would lead with his agenda. That is energy independence in America and reform of government over all, and then working with families of children with special needs. That's near and dear to my heart also. In those arenas, John McCain has already tapped me and said, that's where I want you, I want you to lead. I said, I can't wait to get and there go to work with you.


Don't believe the Constitution allows any more authority - not even "a bit more."


Now, as I've stated in other posts, the VP can be appointed by the President to do all sorts of things, I would suppose.

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-25-2006
Mon, 10-06-2008 - 9:22am

I do agree that authority was a very poor choice of words, but from what I've read the constitution is very ambiguous about the role of the VP...period.


Biden was astonishingly wrong on this subject though, considering the man is supposedly a brilliant Harvard educated