Most telling in the Vice-Presidential candidates’ debate were the responses to the questions concerning vice presidential power. It was a question that neither candidate could have anticipated (or, it would have been very low on their list of prepared talking points), and neither candidate got it exactly right. Read more…

Joseph Biden displayed some knowledge, though he confused Article I (legislative power) and Article II (executive power) of the Constitution. Biden spoke clearly about the danger posed by Cheney’s attempt to push legislative powers to the Executive branch.

Sarah Palin, on the other hand, did not seem to fully understand the question, but she was resourceful enough to talk about the need for vice presidential flexibility. She argued that the VP has powers under both Article I and II, while Biden spoke about the importance of separation of powers.

From the debate transcript:

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, and we’ll do what we have to do to administer very appropriately the plans that are needed for this nation. And it is my executive experience that is partly to be attributed to my pick as V.P. with McCain, not only as a governor, but earlier on as a mayor, as an oil and gas regulator, as a business owner. It is those years of experience on an executive level that will be put to good use in the White House also.

Biden : Vice President Cheney has been the most dangerous vice president we’ve had probably in American history. The idea he doesn’t realize that Article I of the Constitution defines the role of the vice president of the United States, that’s the Executive Branch. He works in the Executive Branch. He should understand that. Everyone should understand that.

And the primary role of the vice president of the United States of America is to support the president of the United States of America, give that president his or her best judgment when sought, and as vice president, to preside over the Senate, only in a time when in fact there’s a tie vote. The Constitution is explicit.

The only authority the vice president has from the legislative standpoint is the vote, only when there is a tie vote. He has no authority relative to the Congress. The idea he’s part of the Legislative Branch is a bizarre notion invented by Cheney to aggrandize the power of a unitary executive and look where it has gotten us. It has been very dangerous…

Ifill: Everybody gets extra credit tonight. We’re going to move on to the next question. Governor, you said in July that someone would have to explain to you exactly what it is the vice president does every day. You, senator, said you would not be vice president under any circumstances. Now maybe this was just what was going on at the time. But tell us now, looking forward, what it is you think the vice presidency is worth now.

Biden: I would be the point person for the legislative initiatives in the United States Congress for our administration. . . . Barack Obama indicated to me he wanted me with him to help him govern. So every major decision he’ll be making, I’ll be sitting in the room to give my best advice. He’s president, not me, I’ll give my best advice. And one of the things he said early on when he was choosing, he said he picked someone who had an independent judgment and wouldn’t be afraid to tell him if he disagreed. . . . The only authority the vice president has from the legislative standpoint is the vote, only when there is a tie vote [in the Senate]. He has no authority relative to the Congress.

Palin: We know what a vice president does. And that’s not only to preside over the Senate and we’ll take that position very seriously also. I’m thankful the Constitution would allow a bit more authority given to the vice president also 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 overall, and then working with families of children with special needs.

Which candidate do you think displayed a better understanding of the role of the VP in their responses?

See more news and commentary on the vice presidential debate on Newshour.
(Originally aired: 10/2/2008).