Confusion Over Cheney's Office Mounts

Dick Cheney continues to bedevil any mortal foolish enough to determine whether the vice president is part of the executive branch, the legislative branch or even this earthly realm. The new Tricky Dick contortion act has become quite the to-do here in D.C. We've already made a few observations that have elicited some good debate. And there are some arguing for impeachment. CongressDaily today provided more fodder for the fray in a story that chronicled Cheney's governmental do-si-do. More:

"Speaking on April 9, 2003, to the American Society of Newspaper
Editors, Cheney placed himself squarely in the executive branch as he lauded a judicial ruling against efforts to obtain information about the energy task force he headed.

'I think it restored some of the legitimate authority of the executive branch, the president and the vice president, to be able to conduct their business,' Cheney said.

Speaking to students in China on April 14, 2004, he explained that it was
President Dwight Eisenhower who first gave the vice president an office 'in the executive branch,' adding 'since then the responsibilities have gradually increased.'

Before a meeting with congressional leaders just days after assuming the presidency, President Bush suggested the matter was, as many others believe, Civics 101.

'We're going to have a frank dialogue about a lot of issues, and I'm going to start by reminding that we know the difference between the Executive Branch and the Legislative Branch, but I do believe the President and the Vice
President can play a part, a strong part, in helping advance an
American agenda,' he said.

The story, which you can read in its entirety here, points out that the White House's own website identifies the vice president as a member of its cabinet. And right at the top of its website the U.S. Senate also says the vice president's functions in the legislative branch are now little more than ceremonial. Here's the text:

"During the twentieth and twenty-first centuries the vice president's role has evolved into more of an executive branch position, and is usually seen as an integral part of a president's administration. He presides over the Senate only on ceremonial occasions or when a tie-breaking vote may be needed."