I mentioned in an earlier post about this reference guide to the VP debate that it conjured up some ideas - triggered by the summations of the candidate responses on the topic of the role of the Vice President.

First, a quotation -

“My country has, in its wisdom, contrived for me the most insignificant office ever the invention of man contrived or his imagination conceived.”

- John Adams, first Vice President of the United States.

With this quote, Adams cast the vice-Presidency into the role we’re accustomed to these days - the guy (or gal) sitting around waiting to get the football if the principle croaks it. And in their spare time, they help coordinate stuff, behind the scenes - but basically a figurehead, with almost no role in the actual Senate, aside from ceremonial duties, and (again) waiting around - to cast a vote in case of a tie.

Not really paying attention and considering the possibilities of the office is not surprising from the status quo bunch in the beltway, and Biden’s mangling of the Constitutional basis for the position in his adamant assertion of the Vice Presidency’s membership in the Executive Branch.

Adams’ remarks have been interpreted as shaping the ‘custom’ for the role - despite being a glaring admission of the lack of the very imagination he claims is lacking in the role’s creation.

But consider the possibility of an “active” Vice President - exploring the possibility of the role of President of the Senate to more directly, and visibly, participate in the day-to-day activities of that body.

This concept is most certainly something which will have sufferers of Palin Derangement Syndrome launching for low-Earth orbit - the vision of Sarah Palin showing up for work every day the Senate is in session. And actively engaging on the issues of the day.

John Adams’ bland assessment, and Joe Biden’s ill supported assertions aside - what impact could an active and outspoken Sarah Palin have, making creative use of Robert’s Rules of Order at the head of the ‘most exclusive club’ in the country?

It’s certainly an interesting, and potentially exciting, perspective. One that I wouldn’t really mind being explored.

::Update:: - Ed Morrissey at HotAir dissects Biden’s mangling of the Constitution, and identifies the possibilities here, but doesn’t quite follow the logic through in the direction I did. But at least the thought processes are underway on this topic - it should make for some pretty lively discussion.

::UpdateII:: - Shannen Coffin explores this topic over at The Corner - and speaking of lefties into lunar orbit, she removes the safety cover, and hovers a finger over the big, red launch button (emphasis added). . .

[…] If Vice President Cheney wanted to spend his days presiding over a Democratic Senate just for the fun of it, he could, and there is nothing that Harry Reid or Robert Byrd could do about it.

There is little question that the Vice Presidency is one of the least understood and most peculiar constitutional institution. The Vice President’s Office has made these interesting issues a matter of public debate, perhaps for the first time since the Founding. (I should disclose here to those who don’t know that I served as Vice President Cheney’s Counsel for 05-07, and thus have had reason to think about the issues a bit). Joe Biden has very little idea what the position entails, as a constitutional matter. I find that equally peculiar, since he purports to be such a constitutional expert.

Or maybe the entire scenario that’s possible just simply scares him silly.