WHAT DOES HE/SHE DO?

The Vice President

Presidential Succession

The process by which the presidency is filled in the event of: Removal through impeachment Death Resignation

Constitution didn’t call for actual assumption of the presidency, only the powers and duties Not the title itself

The 25th Amendment changes this in 1967 “the Vice President shall become President

William Henry Harrison

Richard Nixon

Presidential Succession

Congress makes the order of succession after the Vice President Presidential Succession Act of 1947 Speaker of House -> President pro tem -> Secretary

of StateThen the rest of the cabinet positions

In order of creation by CongressThere are some concerns with this order

President could switch parties mid-term Doubt that congresspersons can serve as President

Presidential Disability

Prior to the 25th Amendment, there was no provision for Presidential Disability This issue is addressed in 1967

VP becomes acting POTUS IF: 1) President informs Congress in writing 2) VP and majority of the Cabinet informs Congress in writing President reassumes powers by informing Congress that he is

okay VP can challenge this assertion

These provisions have been used twice Reagan (during surgery) Bush II (during surgery)

Vice President’s Job

John Adams: “I am Vice President. In this I am nothing, but I may be everything” As VP, you are always a second away from being

PresidentTwo formal duties

President of the Senate Breaks ties if needed

Determine if President is incapacitatedOtherwise, he is “president in waiting”

“The most insignificant office…”

“Honorable and easy”

“…isn’t worth a warm pitcher of spit.”

How are VP’s chosen?

They are chosen to “balance the ticket” Increases Presidential candidates chances of being

electedCould be chosen for the following reasons:

Ideological Geographic Racial Ethnic Gender

Ability to be President is secondary

Vice Presidential Vacancy

Vice Presidency has been vacant 18 times Nine times through succession to POTUS Twice through resignation Seven times by death

In case of vacancy: President nominates a new one Confirmed by both houses of Congress First used in 1973 (Gerald Ford) Again in 1974 (Nelson Rockefeller)

Change in Office

Vice President have become much more visible

They have taken on more dutiesCheney was among the most “powerful” VPsBiden wields fairly considerable influenceVP cannot be fired by the President