Assess the significance of the Vice President Flashcards
What are the five main powers of the Vice President?
1) They may take over from the president if they die in office
2) They can provide a balanced ticket for the President
3) The VP is the president of the Senate
4) They can advise the President
5) They can have significant influence over their own policy area
Why is taking over from the sitting president upon their death a significant power?
The 25th Amendment (1967) allows for the Vice President to become president in the event of death, resignation, removal from office or impairment that prevents the current president from fulfilling his or her duties.
President Lyndon Johnson took over from President John F. Kennedy when he was shot and killed in 1963.
In June 2002 and July 2007, VP Dick Cheney temporarily took over from President Bush whilst President Bush was receiving medical treatment that meant he would be unconscious
If Trump was to be removed from office from his two impeachments then VP Mike Pence would have taken over
Why is taking over from the sitting president upon their death NOT a significant power?
It is rare that something happens to the President and the VP needs to take over.
How is providing a balanced ticket significant?
Presidential candidates balance their ticket by picking a VP candidate who has different qualities to them so that they can appeal to a larger number of voters.
In 2008, Barack Obama (quite young, black, inexperienced) balanced his ticket by choosing Joe Biden (old, white, experienced) to be his running mate.
In 2008, John McCain (72, centre-right, reluctant to talk about faith) balanced his ticket by choosing Sarah Palin (44, conservative Evangelical) to be his running mate.
In 2020, Biden (Center left/centrist, old white male) announced Kamala Harris (Center left, middle ages, woman of colour) to be his running mate
In 2016, Trump announced Mike Pence as his running mate, despite being far right like Trump he was adamant to step down in 2021 after losing the election despite Trumps need to stay in power.
How is providing a balanced ticket NOT significant?
However, once the election has finished, there is little need for the VP to provide a balanced ticket any longer.
How is the VP’s role as President of the senate significant?
The VP is President of the Senate and can decide ties in the Senate.
VP Kamala Harris cast 23 deciding votes (The most cast in living memory)
VP Kamala Harris cast the deciding vote on the American Rescue Plan Act (2021) and recently the Inflation Reduction Act (2022)
How is the VP’s role as President of the senate NOT significant?
However, the VP rarely presides as President of the Senate, therefore chooses a President Pro Tempore
(“for the time being”).
Also, in some terms, the VP rarely decides votes in the Senate.
VP Joe Biden has cast 0 deciding votes in 8 years.
How is the VP’s role as advisor of the President important?
Bush and Dick Cheney:
President Bush was unexperienced in the workings of Congress and the executive branch, therefore VP Dick Cheney gave a lots of advice to Bush because he had experience as a Congressman, Chairman of the House Republican Conference, House Minority Whip and Secretary of Defence.
President Bush was unexperienced in foreign policy, therefore VP Dick Cheney, who had previously been Secretary of Defence, made frequent media appearances to build support for Iraq, Afghanistan and Guantanamo Bay.
Obama and Joe Biden:
President Obama had only been in the Senate for 4 years, whereas VP Joe Biden had been in the Senate for 36 years, therefore Obama used Biden’s advice to push for the New START Treaty before the end of 2010.
Joe Biden had experience in foreign policy, therefore he made 8 trips to Iraq from 2009-12 to oversee the end of US combat operations and hand over to the Iraqi government.
How is the VP’s role as the advisor of the president not significant?
However, the VP’s power to advise the President depends on the knowledge, experience and strength of character of each VP.
VP Dick Cheney was able to advise Bush on foreign policy due to his strength of character and experience in foreign policy.
VP Hubert Humphrey had limited opportunity to give advice to President Lyndon Johnson because Johnson already had a lot of experience and was of a stronger character than Humphrey.
How much influence does the VP have in their policy are?
The increased size of the federal government to 15 executive departments has increased the need for delegation.
Al Gore was experienced in and passionate about the internet, therefore Clinton put him in charge of technology.
