From Tchockys link (important part bolded):
Quote:
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Traditionally, the vice president appears in the Senate for ceremonial events and in case of a tie vote. Although the vice president can preside over the Senate, vice presidents have left that day-to-day chore to senators themselves. In the past, each president has determined the role of the vice president in an administration.
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There is no "use it or loose it" rule in the US constitution, so just because some previous VPs have allowed others to do their job for them it doesn't mean that this negates their constitutionally defined duties. Personally i'd love to see someone like Palin presiding over the Senate.