• Maggoty@lemmy.world
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    3 months ago

    Am I the only one who thinks we need to pick someone no older than ~50 for VP? Based on the idea that VP is an understudy position?

    • UnderpantsWeevil@lemmy.world
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      3 months ago

      It’s not an understudy position. The role of VP has historically been a way to “balance the ticket” between factions in the party. So, a Kennedy from Massachusetts and Johnson from Texas. Or California’s Reagan with a Connecticut Bush.

      More recently, the VP has been a means of whipping votes in the House (Cheney and Ford) or the Senate (Gore, Biden, Pence) and raising money from affiliate donor networks (all of the above, but Harris and Vance more than ever).

      If you want a Presidential job training program, look to the governor’s mansion or the State Department. But by the time you’re VP, you’re not training. You’re in the game.

      • Maggoty@lemmy.world
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        3 months ago

        It’s absolutely been used as an under study position in the past. It can be all those things too.

        • UnderpantsWeevil@lemmy.world
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          3 months ago

          It’s absolutely been used as an under study position in the past.

          Name one VP who was a practical understudy for the job of President and I’ll name you ten that were equally if not more qualified for the job.