Addington: Vice President Isn’t Part Of Executive Branch, ‘Attached’ To Legislative

[marmar]

from ThinkProgress:



Addington: Vice President Isn’t Part Of Executive Branch, ‘Attached’ To Legislative»

In a protracted battle with the National Archives last year, Vice President Dick Cheney sought to avoid submitting records to the archives by claiming that the office of the vice president is not part of the executive branch. During today’s House Judiciary Committee hearing, Cheney’s chief of staff David Addington reasserted that position, declaring the vice president’s office to be a separate entity that “attached” to the legislative branch:

REP. STEVE COHEN (D-TN): Mr. Addington, what branch are we in?

ADDINGTON: Sir, perhaps the best that can be said is that the vice president belongs neither to the executive nor to the legislative branch, but is attached by the constitution to the latter. (…)

COHEN: So he’s a member of the legislative branch?

ADDINGTON: No I said he’s attached to the latter.

Watch it: http://thinkprogress.org/2008/06/26/addington-executive-branch/


The assertion is ridiculous. President Bush and Cheney have themselves repeatedly tied the office of the President and Vice President together in the executive branch, not to mention the White House and the Senate websites. In fact, there is video showing Cheney lauding the strength of the vice presidency, asserting that “the vice president’s become an important part of the administration of the executive branch“:

http://thinkprogress.org/2008/06/26/addington-executive-branch/


In fact, in 2001 Cheney sought to avoid a lawsuit over his energy task force by claiming that a congressional probe “would unconstitutionally interfere with the functioning of the executive branch.”

Despite Politico’s Mike Allen’s claim last June that Addington and Cheney were “throwing in the towel on the claim that the vice president is distinct from the executive branch,” the next month Cheney continued to insist that the Vice President’s office is a “unique creature.”


http://thinkprogress.org/2008/06/26/addington-executive-branch/

[robinlynne]

1. Hey works for me. no more executive priviledge. gimme the energy meeting notes!

and I would love to read cheney's emails to his staff, wouldn't you?

[bdamomma]

5. I would love to be invisible, just a dream.

[ashling]

2. If Cheney is attatched to the legislative branch

He should be subject to rules established by the legislative branch for itself, i.e., rules (including ethics rules) of the Senate ... and subject to investigation by that body

[C_U_L8R]

3. exactly... they try to have it both ways

slippery slime that they are

[endarkenment]

4. It is really quite simple.

When stonewalling legislative inquiries, such as the secret planning for the conquest of the middle east prior to 9-11 and the actual invasion, the vp is part of the executive and the executive invokes executive privilege. When it comes to the archiving requirements, which would expose the cabal to criminal prosecution after they flee washington this january, the vp is part of the legislative branch.

It is really quite simple.

[Disturbed]

6. The House could Impeach this VP but they don't have the

spine to do so.