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What we want in a Vice President

Published/Last Modified on Thursday, Aug 21, 2008 - 05:34:55 am MST

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Many well-known Americans have served in the nation’s secondary executive leadership role — the vice presidency.

John Adams was the first vice president. Thomas Jefferson soon followed Adams after Adams gained the highest office in the land.

Others who would become president also served as vice president. Theodore Roosevelt. Calvin Coolidge. Harry S Truman. Richard Nixon. Lyndon B. Johnson. Gerald Ford. George H.W. Bush.

Some ascended to the office of the presidency on their own accord. Others did so because of death or resignation.

So, looking back, we can begin to see that the vice presidential choices in American history, especially in the 20th century, are at times a stepping stone to ascending to the presidency.

As Barack Obama and John McCain get ready to name their vice presidential choices, it will be revealing what kind of person the two candidates will choose. Will they have the traits to help the administration during their time in the White House? Will they have the potential to lead the nation in the future?

The vice president must be someone who the candidate should feel comfortable with, especially in talking about issues that are important to the nation. It’s important the vice president play a role in the government and not be left as a ceremonial figurehead.

Americans should want an active vice president, someone who is serious in the role and who is willing to learn about the issues that face this nation. They should be a problem-solver, a trait wanted in a president. And they should be a person who respects the hierarchy of power in the United States, which means understanding that as the vice president they may not have any more say than many of the president’s Cabinet members.

But it’s important a vice presidential candidate be prepared to lead the nation. Several vice presidents in American history have found themselves thrust into that position. One of the best-known cases was when Truman became president after the death of four-term president Franklin D. Roosevelt. Truman didn’t feel worthy, but he carried his duties out understanding that he was working in the people’s office and serving those people.

Vice presidents must have that same understanding. They must know the work they do may not be as well-publicized as that of the president. But they must know they can play an important role in government.

But they must not underestimate their office.

That’s why the choices that Obama and McCain will make are so critical. Not only can the right person help support the team’s candidacy — via solidifying a candidate’s standing in a certain state — but also they need to be part of the team that supports the president through his term in office.

A vice president must be a person who is ready to serve. The traits sought in a president shouldn’t be far away from the person serving as the vice president.

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How Ironic wrote on Aug 23, 2008 11:50 PM:

" Pretty shrewd of Obama. He selected a running mate who has expressed support of McCain and he can swap his position on a full withdrawl from Iraq by going with Biden's 5 point plan for victory in Iraq. "

Winston Smith wrote on Aug 23, 2008 5:59 PM:

" I don't agree with much of Bidens politics but, I know he is one of the few common men in Politics. He doesn't hang out in Washington meeting with "Think Tanks " and lobbyists he takes the AMTRAK home. He lives on what he makes as a Senator. That's enough for me. "

Seriously wrote on Aug 21, 2008 11:12 PM:

" Touche' to Winston Smith. Well said. "

Arthur Dent wrote on Aug 21, 2008 10:06 PM:

" Someone like Cal Coolidge "I have nothing to say and don't quote me on that" "

John wrote on Aug 21, 2008 3:21 PM:

" A very good editorial! I have one other word to say on this subject, Richardson! "

Winston Smith wrote on Aug 21, 2008 10:00 AM:

" Someone who is not on the Corporate payroll, who won't spent half a trillion dollars and thousands of American lives building his own oil empire. That would be nice for a change. "