Does anyone agree with Cheney's assertion of not being bound by rules pertaining to the executive branch?

Question

Cheney challenges classified oversight
http://www.cnn.com/2007/POLITICS/06/22/cheney.documents/

Answer 1

It is an interesting debate. While it seems obvious that the VP would be part of the executive branch. The constitution names the person in that position as the head of the senate however he was not allowed to speak or vote unless in a case of a tie. According to rumor this was done mostly to keep John Adams from being to powerful in senate. However this fact does partially support Cheney. However, given that the major function of his job is to be an insurance company for the country, and defining the VP as outside the oval office, could cause serious issues in the exchanging of documents between the President's office and his own. I would say it would not be prudent to push the point. So in the end I would have to say given the major point of his job, I would not agree with him.

Answer 2

Everything I've heard on news says this runs counter to every textbook that's ever been written on the matter. However, if true, then Cheney can't turn around and claim executive privilege on whatever issue, which may place him in a worse pickle than kowtowing to the obligations of executive branch membership.

Answer 3

When all is said and done....Cheney will need a Presidential Pardon to avoid jail.

Clearly the VP is not a lone ranger that has no oversite on it by Congress. Just because the GOP turned a blind eye on his activity does not make it any more legal. In fact, it shows that the GOP Congress is complicit in his crimes.

Good luck dodging the Congressional Subpoenas. I don't think that even Scalia can support Cheney on this.

Answer 4

I don't think he's saying that he's exempt from ALL rules, just this one.

I give it a "maybe". I can't tell from mere excerpts of what the Order said, and comments that do not describe what they wanted that he wouldn't do.

It's entirely possible that he's right. An "agency" is a body apart from the President, such as the DEA. Is the VP a separate body? That depends on the way the President deals with the VP.

I don't know. He may be right. Might not. I doubt we can depend on a reporter to tell us what we need to know to judge for ourselves.

Answer 5

Absolutely not...he is completely in the wrong and, as John Stewart so succinctly put it, he basically thinks he is the sole member of a new 4th branch of the government - and apparently it is the only one that is not accountable for checks and balances! Must be nice.

At least he got the guy who he shot in the face to apologize on the national news to HIM and HIS FAMILY - maybe that will help this mess, right?!?

Answer 6

He is certainly part of the Executive branch, he's the vice PRESIDENT, the PRESIDENT is the head of the Executive branch and the VP frequently is required to stand in as the President's representative on many matters. There is NO way that he can not possibly be part of the executive branch.

Answer 7

Sure the guy in the document shredder truck that is parked at Cheney's office thinks it is a great idea to recycle all that paper.

Answer 8

Obviously no rules apply to Mr. Cheney. Maybe he'll finally reveal what planet he's from and what laws DO apply to him.

I'd love it if he'd just go back to his "undisclosed location" until Jan 20, 2009.

Answer 9

He is not part of the executive branch.. Check the constitution. The funny thing is he is going to lose all his funding he gets from the executive branch because of this revelation.

Answer 10

Only the hardest core of the brainwashed at this point.

See what happens when you elect people who are evil?