The Vice President: Roles and Succession Spare tire on the automobile of government? (Apologies to Nelson Rockefeller)

“The man with the best job in the country is the Vice President. All he has to do is get up every morning and say, "How is the president?" —Will Rogers

“Nothing and everything” – John Adams Official Duties: Preside over Senate Whatever president assigns Wait for vacancy No other constitutional duties

“Nothing and everything” – John Adams Originally - #2 vote getter, thus 2nd most qualified person –changes with 12th Amendment Major change in role since 1976 Traditional limbo –1/2 in and 1/2 out of legislature –viewed as outsider –casts only a tie breaking vote

Role of Vice President in Executive Branch Provide contrasting views Friction as result of selection process –less so now Until recently, little or no attention to abilities Often a peace offering Attack dog Unhappy, no responsibilities

Unhappy Vice Presidents John Adams: –“most insignificant job” John Nance Garner: –“warm pitcher of spit” Nelson Rockefeller?: –“spare tire on the automobile of government”

Vice Presidency: The Positives Orderly Succession – Continuity of Government High Ranking Emissary Contacts with Interest Groups beyond President’s personal constituencies Recently - close confidante / advisor to the President

Presidential Succession Vice President is first –Early Vice Presidents did not want to take the oath to become President... –Tyler took decisive action to change that: Tyler took the Presidential Oath and had Congress pass resolution –Constitutionality of this action was questionable until ratification of the 25 th Amendment –Is Acting President under the 25 th Amendment’s incapacity clause

Presidential Succession Speaker of the House = #2 –Dennis Hastert President Pro-tempore of the Senate = #3 –Ted Stevens Heads of the Executive Depts (in order of creation) = Sec’y of State = #4

Presidential Succession State Treasury Defense Justice Interior Agriculture Commerce Labor Health & Human Services HUD Transportation Energy Education Veterans Affairs Homeland Security Chronological order of Creation: