What Could/Should a VP Be, Constitutionally?
Earlier today, I offered the comment in a Facebook post:
Too bad Chris Christie can't be named VP, help Romney win, then resign, with Rob Portman being named Vice President so that Christie can return to be New Jersey's Governor--I mean, what is Christie going to do that's more valuable than being Governor after the ticket wins? Is there some way of Constitutionally giving enough "add-on" duties to the VP to make being VP, as opposed to running for VP, sufficiently valuable?
No one I've spoken, Tweeted, or written to seems to know the answer to this last question. I don't believe the President's Cabinet (or, at least some of its newer positions) are creations of the Constitution, so, for example, would it be Constitutional for a VP Rubio to be Secretary of State, or a VP Ryan or Daniels to lead the Office of Management and Budget? What's possible, both to entice the Ryans, Rubios, etc. to accept a nomination and be valuable if/when they win, and what "add-on" duties would suit the various people we keep talking about? Calling Profs. Epstein and Yoo and everyone else...
Bonus sub-question: in 2012, how much clout does being VP carry, as compared to simply being a "mere mortal" surrogate put into "heavy rotation"? In other words, does Sen. Rubio campaigning in Florida really have less pull than VP nominee Rubio?
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May '10
Re: What Could/Should a VP Be, Constitutionally?
(oh, that's a photo of the Vice President's residence)
Feb '11
Re: What Could/Should a VP Be, Constitutionally?
The VP can be in charge of moral stuff, like what to eat. Oh wait, the Constitution gives that to FLOTUS.
Dec '10
Re: What Could/Should a VP Be, Constitutionally?
I'm still not sure Christie would be the right guy for that anyway. He will frustrate most conservatives west of the Appalachian Mountains.
Mar '12
Re: What Could/Should a VP Be, Constitutionally?
There may be a provision of federal law which prohibits a member of one branch of the government from simulataneously serving in another branch. I mean, there must be a reason we don't have President Sen. Barack Obama.
May '10
Re: What Could/Should a VP Be, Constitutionally?
Anonymous, the Cabinet is part of the Executive Branch, so I don't quite follow that; or is VP not part of any branch? Part of Senate? I just don't get it...
Dec '10
Re: What Could/Should a VP Be, Constitutionally?
Cheney really expanded the advisory role of VP. Biden, unfortunately, has attempted to carry on in the same way. Looked at as a confidant and counselor, who really stands out as Romney's best pick? I would hope for someone with at least a little Washington experience.
May '10
Re: What Could/Should a VP Be, Constitutionally?
You mean they're supposed be more than living insurance policies? What's more powerful and efficient, the Secret Service or the words "President Agnew"? (Or for that matter, "President Mondale" or "President Quayle"? "President Cheney" prevented many a left-wing nut case taking a shot at W.)
Edited on April 24, 2012 at 5:04pmMar '11
Re: What Could/Should a VP Be, Constitutionally?
The Veep is President of the Senate. He presides over the senate, calls them to order, and so forth. Or at least, he could do that. Generally speaking, the actual day-to-day functions are performed by the President pro temporare of the Senate, which is by custom the senior member of the majority party. This is separate from Senate Majority Leader, although they could both be the same guy. Daniel Inouye is President pro tem right now. He is not older than dirt, just older than about 20% of the applications for dirt. He also received the Distinguished Service Cross (later upgraded to the Medal of Honor by President Clinton) for the action that cost him his arm.
The only time that the Veep gets to do anything is when the Senate ties in a vote. He's the tie-breaker. Plus, the Veep gets to lead the delegation of official mourners when a world leader we didn't much care about kicks the bucket.
Mar '11
Re: What Could/Should a VP Be, Constitutionally?
The VP's job is to make POTUS look good, and less gaffe-prone, by comparison.
Well, that may be only the current VP.
Apr '11
Re: What Could/Should a VP Be, Constitutionally?
I think that your answer, the same as Palin's answer in the VP debate, is just about right; it's not really clear. I mention it because being reminded of Biden's bold claim that all of the VP language was in Article I, which described the Presidency, always makes me laugh. For those who don't know, VP language is in both article I and article II, and Article I describes Congress. This was even more amazing given that the SCOTUS has struck down only two acts in modern history as Article I breaches, and both of those acts were authored by Biden, so you'd have thought he'd be familiar with it by now.
One of the worst moments for media deception came immediately after the debate, when all of the networks praised Biden's superior knowledge, based on his brass necked ability to sound confident when he had no idea what he was talking about.
Mar '11
Re: What Could/Should a VP Be, Constitutionally?
ParisParamus
Can a VP candidate really help a weak candidate win the presidency? If Romney cannot win the election without a superstar VP (Christie, Rubio, Ryan, etc), I doubt he can win with one either.
ParisParamus
Bonus sub-question: in 2012, how much clout does being VP carry, as compared to simply being a "mere mortal" surrogate put into "heavy rotation"? In other words, does Sen. Rubio campaigning in Florida really have less pull than VP nominee Rubio? ·
Lots of clout when it comes to the parallel campaign of fundraising. A VP candidate can stand in at fundraisers for the headliner in a way that a surrogate never could.
Jun '10
Re: What Could/Should a VP Be, Constitutionally?
The Vice President's job, as much as possible, is to see and hear what the President sees and hears. Done right, that's a full-time job.
Apr '11
Re: What Could/Should a VP Be, Constitutionally?
Bob Portman was an excellent trade rep, which is when I first became a big fan of his. As VP, he'd make an even better one, with all the skills and knowledge added to a greater prestige. Obama's not been negotiating new agreements, so Romney's Reagan Economic Zone, with a host of new agreements, mostly in Asia, will need a kick start. When he's not doing that or working the Senate, he can take a break and make the ladies swoon.
Mar '11
Re: What Could/Should a VP Be, Constitutionally?
I agree. The Vice Presidency is perfect for a consummate insider: someone who can shadow the president, advise him, negotiate between parties/agencies/bureaucracies in his stead, and provide a viable replacement without much vetting. No need for any other duties, and no need for a rockstar.
Apr '11
Re: What Could/Should a VP Be, Constitutionally?
Mendel
ParisParamus
Can a VP candidate really help a weak candidate win the presidency? If Romney cannot win the election without a superstar VP (Christie, Rubio, Ryan, etc), I doubt he can win with one either.
ParisParamus
Bonus sub-question: in 2012, how much clout does being VP carry, as compared to simply being a "mere mortal" surrogate put into "heavy rotation"? In other words, does Sen. Rubio campaigning in Florida really have less pull than VP nominee Rubio? ·
Lots of clout when it comes to the parallel campaign of fundraising. A VP candidate can stand in at fundraisers for the headliner in a way that a surrogate never could. · 3 minutes ago
Lieberman almost delivered enough votes in Florida to win it for Gore. Portman would be worth a few percentage points in a few Mid-Western states. You're right that if Romney were a weak candidate, a Reagan of a VP wouldn't save him, but having a Ohioan (Ted Strickland? Sherrod Brown?) on the ticket could easily have won 2004 for Kerry.
Apr '11
Re: What Could/Should a VP Be, Constitutionally?
Mendel
I agree. The Vice Presidency is perfect for a consummate insider: someone who can shadow the president, advise him, negotiate between parties/agencies/bureaucracies in his stead, and provide a viable replacement without much vetting. No need for any other duties, and no need for a rockstar. · 13 minutes ago
I think this pretty much nails it.
It's also why I'm against a Ryan or Rubio or one of our effective reform governors for the second spot; they're too valuable where they are right now.
Better to go with a seasoned pol with Washington experience who could serve as an advisor and Congressional liaison.
Mar '11
Re: What Could/Should a VP Be, Constitutionally?
James Of England
Lieberman almost delivered enough votes in Florida to win it for Gore. Portman would be worth a few percentage points in a few Mid-Western states. You're right that if Romney were a weak candidate, a Reagan of a VP wouldn't save him, but having a Ohioan (Ted Strickland? Sherrod Brown?) on the ticket could easily have won 2004 for Kerry.
Certainly in almost every close race there is a state whose margin is so small that even a minimal VP boost would have changed the entire outcome. However, trying to guess that state in August and game the system accordingly seems to be a fool's errand to me.
Apr '11
Re: What Could/Should a VP Be, Constitutionally?
Mendel
James Of England
Lieberman almost delivered enough votes in Florida to win it for Gore. Portman would be worth a few percentage points in a few Mid-Western states. You're right that if Romney were a weak candidate, a Reagan of a VP wouldn't save him, but having a Ohioan (Ted Strickland? Sherrod Brown?) on the ticket could easily have won 2004 for Kerry.
Certainly in almost every close race there is a state whose margin is so small that even a minimal VP boost would have changed the entire outcome. However, trying to guess that state in August and game the system accordingly seems to be a fool's errand to me. · 27 minutes ago
I think that Florida and Ohio were both predictably important; there were pre-election articles suggesting that Gore chose Lieberman partly on what turned out to be a pretty sound basis.
I'm not saying it's everything (I'd back Portman if Portman were from Guam, and my second choice is non-swinging DeMint) , or that the VP should be chosen for it; I do think that 2-9% in Ohio, plus smaller differences nearby, is a non-trivial impact.
Jun '10
Re: What Could/Should a VP Be, Constitutionally?
I thought the main incentive for accepting the Veep slot is not the job itself ("not worth a bucket of warm spit") but the fact that it puts you at the front of the pack to win the nomination yourself next go-round. It worked for Nixon, Bush Sr., and Gore.
Sep '11
Re: What Could/Should a VP Be, Constitutionally?
The Vice president has exactly as much influence as the President wants him to have. Cheyney had influence because Bush looked up to him and respected his opinions. I doubt Biden is taken much more seriously by Obama than he is by conservatives. A Vice President chosen for political expediency would not be likely to wield much influence.
Rubio is very valuable where he is now, as part of a (dare we hope growing) group of conservative senators. He would be largely marginalized as Vice President. The idea of him simultaneously serving in a Cabinet position is tantalizing, though.