Dick Cheney's "own branch of government"?

You've heard by now, I am sure, about Dick Cheney's refusal to abide by the presidential order to comply with the National Archives order to have his national security documents inspected to make sure he is in compliance. He says his office is exempt from this. He also says he is not part of the executive branch of government.
That surprises me since my first question after having read this is...if he is not connected to the executive branch then he should no longer be able to claim executive privlege which he has done recently.

Here's a video clip by Keith olberman on Cheney's pronouncement of not being a part of the Executive Branch:

The vice president's office claims it doesn't have to comply with the National Archives because Dick Cheney is his own branch of government. Dana Milbank weighs in.




And here's another Olbermann video with Bush's new poll numbers that shows he is now below Carter's lowest poll. And more on Cheney's new branch of government:

Dick Cheney is claiming that because he serves a function as the President of the Senate this exempts he and his office from any laws pertaining to the executive branch, even laws Bush himself has put into place.



Not only is this admin incompetent, they are out of their minds!