In the latest example of what she calls “gotcha journalism,” Sarah Palin just got pwned by a third grader whose biased temerity compelled him to ask, “What does the vice-president do?”

Mrs. Palin’s answer:

PALIN: That’s something that Piper would ask me! … [T]hey’re in charge of the U.S. Senate so if they want to they can really get in there with the senators and make a lot of good policy changes that will make life better for Brandon and his family and his classroom. SOURCE

Um nope. That’s not it. Wrong answer.

From Thinkprogress.org

Article I of the Constitution establishes an exceptionally limited role for the Vice President — giving the office holder a vote only when the Senate is “equally divided”:

The Vice President of the United States shall be President of the Senate, but shall have no vote, unless they be equally divided.

Moreover, the U.S. Senate website explains that the modern role of Vice Presidents has been to preside over the Senate “only on ceremonial occasions.” ThinkProgress contacted Senior Assistant Parliamentarian Peter Robinson, who also disputed Palin’s characterization of the Vice President’s role:

In modern practice the Vice President doesn’t really control the Senate. … If anyone has a responsibility to try to govern the Senate, it’s the responsibility of the two leaders.

Further, Thinkprogress spoke to Jim Manley, spokesman to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV), he says:

This comment is all the more puzzling because this is at least the 2nd time she has said this. Gov Palin needs to re-read or perhaps read for the first time the Constitution. While the Vice President presides over the Senate, he or she is not in charge of it. Article 1 says The Vice President of the United States shall be President of the Senate, but shall have no vote, unless they be equally divided.

The Senate is part of a co-equal branch of the federal government.

PS Just a note, to the some of the Conservative “USA, USA” chanting type folks. One of my most cherished possessions is a little something I received as a birthday present from my mom last summer. It is a complete copy of the United States Constitution condensed into a 3″ x 3″ red leather book. Its beautiful cover is embossed with gold lettering. I keep it with me almost all the time. I wonder how many of you who chant “USA, USA” in response to protest or comments that you disagree with have ever taken the time to sit down and actually read this magnificent document? And if you have read our Constitution, how do you make sense of chanting “USA, USA” to refute opinions different from your own?

I am so comforted by the fact that the candidate I am supporting for President of the United States of America was a Constitutional law professor.

PPS I am working from my local library this evening. In honor of Sarah Palin, I got a library card today.