Excuse me, Joe, but what has Cheney ever said -- even in his responses to your ridiculous allegations -- to support your charge that he believes the VP should leverage his limited role in the legislative branch to expand the power of the executive branch?

How about Biden's reference to a "unitary executive"?

This is nothing new, but happens to be the recycling of a recurring, mythical Democrat talking point. During Judge Samuel Alito's Senate confirmation hearings Democrats accused Alito of supporting the notion of a "unitary executive," and that, if confirmed, he would vote to validate President Bush's alleged efforts to consolidate government authority in the executive branch.

If Judiciary Committee Democrats had been paying attention to Alito's testimony instead of posturing for the TV cameras, they might have learned that the idea of a unitary executive has nothing to do with the scope of the executive power vis-a-vis the other two branches. It means only that the president shall be in ultimate control of the executive branch.

Isn't this precisely what the Democrats have been demanding? Haven't they been saying that Vice President Cheney has had too much control over the executive branch and that the sole authority over that branch should reside with the president?

But in truth, their claim is absurd on its face, despite its mindless repetition by the liberal media. Cheney, by definition, could have no more authority than Bush delegated to him. As far as I'm aware, Democrats have cited no examples of President Bush delegating non-delegable powers to Cheney nor of Cheney exercising final authority over executive branch matters. In this administration, the buck always stopped with President Bush.

Democrats may not like it that Bush made Cheney a key policy adviser, but there's no constitutional violation there. Indeed, in the Larry King interview Biden said that in exchange for accepting the VP nomination he told Obama, "I want to be there when you make every critical decision you make."

So there you have it. Biden not only favors a unitary executive, he insists on having a critical advisory role in the Obama administration.

If you believe Biden and his fellow Democrats really object to expansive executive power in principle -- as opposed to just when Republicans occupy the White House -- just wait for the Obama regime.