I love all those quotes, Adams in particular as I recently read McCullough's book on the life of John Adams. However, the Constitution itself trumps the funny but bitter quotes of those frustrated potential POTUS seekers.
The Constitutuion is clear that the VP is a member of each Branch in question.
I would have to disagree with the assertion that the constitution is clear that the OVP is a member of both branches. Yes, the OVP does have legislative duties "to break a tie vote in the Senate" he and or she has NO other voting power and the title " president of the Senate" has no duties. The OVP up until 2002 submitted reports to the National Archives on Information Security Oversight and is listed on "Classified National Security Documents Listing" which up until this current VP took office submitted reports annually as an executive branch function. So if this assertion is correct then, the OVP needs to be removed from that list formally. However, OVP is a member of the Executive Branch of govt. and has for over 200 years been recoginzed as a member of that branch of govt. The assertion that because some of his duties as outlined in the constitution are legislative in nature make him a member of the legislative branch are simply untrue.
The Vice President of the United States is the ex-officio President of the United States Senate. He may have a casting voice in the Senate's decisions only to break a tie.
ex of�fi�ci�o �� (ks -fsh-) KEY �
ADVERB:
&
ADJECTIVE:
Abbr. e.o.
By virtue of office or position. The Office of Vice President of the United States
Number of tie-breakers the current VP has cast.
Richard B. Cheney (8) 2001 April 3, 2001
April 5, 2001
May 21, 2002
April 11, 2003
May 15, 2003
May 23, 2003
December 21, 2005
March 13, 2008