John Adams, the first Vice President of the United States, believed the office of Vice President to be insignificant, as its powers were limited. However, he recognized its potential importance, as the Vice President assumes the presidency if the president dies or resigns. This has occurred nine times in U.S. history. While the Vice President has few defined powers, the office has taken on increasing significance over time, with more responsibilities delegated by presidents and a role as an advisor and spokesperson for the administration.

1. ‘My country has in its wisdom contrived for me
the most insignificant office that the invention of
man ever contrived or his imagination conceived’
John Adams (1735-1826)

2. Vice President
• Chosen by Presidential candidates before the election to
run on a ‘joint-ticket’. A ‘balanced ticket’ is seen as crucial.
Why did Obama & McCain pick their running mates?
• Balance might be in terms of: Experience, Ideology, Age,
Region. Are Race and Gender becoming important now?

3. Vice President
1. Presiding Officer of Senate, and can cast tie-breaking vote. Cheney
cast vote to protect Bush’s $1.6 bn tax-cut.
2. Counts and announces the result of the Electoral College votes. So in
Jan ‘01, Al Gore had to announce his own defeat.
3. Most important role: assumes presidency if the president resigns,
dies, or is removed from office. This has happened nine times. The
insignificant powers of the office, coupled with this potential
importance led the vice-president, John Adams to remark: ‘In this I
am nothing; but I may be everything
4. Becomes acting president is declared, or declares himself, disabled.
Cheney was President for two hours in 2002 when George W Bush
was sedated for medical tests.

4. Increasing Powers?
• President in waiting? True until 12th Amendement in 1804 which did not appoint
Presidential runner-up as VP. However, since Eisenhower’s presidency the role has
again become a breeding ground for Presidents, and seen many more distinguished
politicians battle for the role. Why?
• Role has increased in significance. Presidents increasingly give VPs more
responsibilities and some have become advisors. Since Carter-Mondale all VPs now
see daily intelligence briefing, and all have had an office in the West Wing.
• Cheney (former Congressman) has acted as legislative liaison with Congress
• VPs now major spokesperson for the administration. Gore was a regular face at the
podium on environmental issues, and Cheney on foreign policy.
• VP is also a major fundraiser.
• Can play the Washington-insider role, guiding the president around the potential
pitfalls of Washington politics (e.g Mondale, Bush Sr, Gore and Cheney)

5. ‘ In this I am nothing; but I may be everything.’
John Adams (1735-1826)