Matt BlazeApr 28, 2023

Pence testified in special council Smith's January 6 grand jury today, despite Trump's hail-mary executive privilege attempt to prevent it. (That seemed to me like an especially weak argument, since the VP doesn't work for the president, but is a separate constitutional office),

https://www.politico.com/news/2023/04/27/pence-appears-before-jan-6-grand-jury-00094310

Pence appears before Jan. 6 grand jury

Pence’s closed-door appearance marks an extraordinary flashpoint in special counsel Jack Smith’s probe.

POLITICO
Show threadMatt Blaze
VP is probably the best job in government, in therms of ratio of perks/effort. You don't really have to do anything except break tie votes in the Senate and preside at the occasional joint session. In return, you get a really nice house (more private than the WH), a decent salary, secret service protection, private Air Force air travel, and a public platform to use as you wish. The rest of the time you just fantasize about POTUS choking on a pretzel or something.
Apr 28, 2023 at 12:25amWeb
Show threadMatt BlazeApr 28, 2023
But the VP job is maximally optimized if the POTUS dies or resigns on the last day in office. You instantly become president for a day, getting you a lifetime presidential pension, secret service protection, and Blair House privileges. That's the slacker job jackpot.
Show threadMatt BlazeApr 28, 2023
Because this is social media, I am being chided for being "glib" about this vital constitutional office.
Show threadPrabhakar RagdeApr 28, 2023
@mattblaze I seem to recall that you are also chided for not being glib, at times.
Show threadNorman WilsonApr 28, 2023
@mattblaze Does that make you a glibtard?
Show threadPeaceNick🇨🇦Apr 28, 2023

@oclsc

Canadian references are disconcerting for some, eh?

@mattblaze

Show threadNorman WilsonApr 28, 2023
@intothewestaway @mattblaze That's Canadian?
Show threadPeaceNick🇨🇦Apr 28, 2023
@oclsc @mattblaze nah
Show threadC.Apr 28, 2023

@mattblaze

I have decided that the proper response to these sorts of nanny-comments or Fediverse "culture standards" enforcers is to simply reply to every complaint with "You're welcome! 👍 "

I'd like everyone else to join me on this.

😀

Show threadHeath BordersApr 28, 2023
@mattblaze I hope they don't watch HBO.
Show threadRue CiphervaleApr 28, 2023
@mattblaze some the chiding is, well, uniquely Masto; bluesky would just see extended riffs on the originating core shitpost
Show threadAntipope SuperstarApr 28, 2023
@mattblaze shoutout to this king who did it https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I230556-FOk
The Simpsons: Do You Like Nachos?

YouTube
Show threadChandler CarruthApr 28, 2023
@mattblaze technically, you'd want to only be confirmed by congress as the VP earlier that day to truly maximize the benefits. 🤡
Show threadXaiaX ̆̈‏Apr 28, 2023
@mattblaze the Reverse William Henry Harrison maneuver.
Show threadNicholas WeaverApr 28, 2023
@mattblaze
because, to quote a vice president, as a job it isn't worth a bucket of warm spit.
Show threadDoc Edward Morbius ⭕​Apr 28, 2023

@ncweaver Some of the letters in "spit" were different in the original formulation.

@mattblaze

Show threadNicholas WeaverApr 28, 2023
@dredmorbius @mattblaze yeup, "piss" is the correct version.
Show threadBrian VastagApr 28, 2023
@mattblaze Counterpoint: Selena Meyers.
Show threadMatt BlazeApr 28, 2023
@brianvastag Took the job way to seriously.
Show threadCharles J Gervasi ⚡🛡️🥥Apr 28, 2023
@mattblaze When an important leader dies, the VP flies.
Show threadNorman WilsonApr 28, 2023
@cgervasi @mattblaze Mr Vice-President, there's a fly on your head.
Show threadStu Duerson, machina exo deusApr 28, 2023

@mattblaze

Used to be, you also got your face on a milk carton, and didn't have to show up in public unless there was a state funeral in a third world country.

My, how times have changed.

Show threadDavid ColborneApr 28, 2023
@mattblaze If you're the second spouse, you don't even need to think overly much about the pretzel.
Show threadBynkiiApr 28, 2023
@mattblaze @cathygellis or making damned sure they don’t choke, lest you get stuck with their job.
Show threadEliot LearApr 28, 2023
@mattblaze If you don't already have it, you might want to grab a copy of "Great Political Wit: Laughing (Almost) All The Way to the White House" by Bob Dole. It's a collection of quotes from the 20th century, including a number of very funny comments about the VP role, especially around both Johnson and Humphrey.
Show threadMike Sullivan (avogadro) movedApr 28, 2023
@mattblaze You don't have to break tie votes in the Senate; you have the ability to do so, but no obligation to further the President's position by doing so. You are an independent constitutional agent as president of the Senate. 1/2
Show threadMike Sullivan (avogadro) movedApr 28, 2023

@mattblaze

A VP could go independent and become a power center in a closely contested Senate and there is nothing a President could do about it, since the VP isn't under the President.

The relatively recent development of the VP being a partner or delegatee of the president is similar to the development of the Office of the First Lady as an arm of the presidency. The fact is that neither the VP nor FLOTUS/FGOTUS has any constitutionally assigned role in the Executive Branch. 2/2

Show threadlnmnkatzApr 28, 2023
@mattblaze Well, the Pres can show magnificant benificence by giving you something to do, but this tape may self destruct.