[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2008/images/11/13/art.obama.biden.b.gi.jpg caption=" How should Obama make the best use of Biden?"]
FROM CNN's Jack Cafferty:
Today we're going to spend a couple of minutes talking about the vice presidential candidate who actually won the election, Joe Biden. Remember him?
After 9-11, one of the first things President Bush did was find a secure, undisclosed location in which to store his Vice President, Dick Cheney. Once hidden away, Cheney could begin pulling the strings for the new administration. Secret energy meetings with that fun bunch from Enron, drawing up plans to invade Iraq as well as the lies they would need to cover it, figuring out how to operate the most secretive administration in history without being accountable to anyone. He had his assignment clearly defined right from the start.
It's always been a bit of a problem figuring out what to do with the vice president. As long as the president's alive, his official job description is limited. Break the ties in the Senate, sit behind the congressional leaders during the State of the Union address, and try to look interested when out in public.
Julian Zelizer, professor of history and public affairs at Princeton University says Biden could best be put to use soothing a Democratic Congress that's had a tense relationship with the Executive Branch in recent years. He believes Biden should be "a point man on Capitol Hill to help twist arms, make arguments and build voting coalitions."
Here’s my question to you: How should Barack Obama make the best use of Vice President-elect Joe Biden?
Interested to know which ones made it on air?
Christine from New York writes:
I think it would be great if Barack Obama broke unprecedented ground and really made the vice presidency worth more than the proverbial "bucket of warm spit." Joe Biden has such a Class-A record in matters that affect the well-being of real people in real circumstances, that wouldn't it wonderful if a whole new domestic recovery project were created for him to develop?
Talar from Sacramento, California writes:
Is there any way that Biden can be V.P. as well as Secretary of State? That would be the best use of him instead of just attending funerals and breaking ties in the Senate. Put him to work and use his expertise in foreign policy. We need it!
Robert from Louisville, Kentucky writes:
The Vice President spot can be a good bully pulpit too. Joe Biden should fill his calendar with speeches driving the Obama agenda.
Jay from Belmont, California writes:
Biden should move into Cheney's residence as quickly as possible and get rid of all the water-boarding paraphernalia in the basement dungeon. That should help with our image around the world.
John from Dalton, Georgia writes:
Joe Biden can take shifts with Barack Obama reading through the budget line by line.
Bob from Morristown, New Jersey writes:
Biden should be the firefighter-in-chief. He should handle all of the tactical issues that come to keep them from distracting Obama from the critical strategic issues he must hone in on like a laser.
Wally from Las Vegas, Nevada writes:
Stand him up at the door way of the White House, dressed up like one of those Indians they used to have at cigar stores (and I wonder why my comments are never read on the air ).