The Vice Presidency
“The vice-presidency isn't worth a
pitcher of warm spit”
John Nance Garner
Formal Powers of the VP
• Preside over the Senate
(break ties)
• Aid in determining
presidential disability
(25th amendment)
Order of Succession
• VP takes over in the
event of:
1. Death
2. Disability
3. Resignation
4. Removal from office by
the Senate
Informal Powers
• Ceremonial
• Sit in on cabinet
meetings
• Serve on National
Security Council
• Diplomatic Missions
Factors that Influence VP Selection
• Provide a political
balance with the
President (Moderate v.
Liberal, Moderate v.
Conservative)
– “Balance the Ticket”
Factors that Influence VP Selection
• Provide a Regional
Balance with the
President
Factors that Influence VP Selection
• Choose like-minded
individual to help
manage the
bureaucracy and
achieve policy goals
Factors that Influence VP Selection
• Help balance a
presidential candidate’s
weaknesses
Factors that Influence VP Selection
• Gender balance??
Recent Years
• More consideration in
recent years given to
background, health and
other qualifications of
Vice-Presidents due to
JFK assassination and
Reagan assassination
attempt