• 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.

            • Maggoty@lemmy.world
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              3 months ago

              Cheney was a very unique case. In some ways he wielded more power than Bush. That’s not normal in any sense.

              • UnderpantsWeevil@lemmy.world
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                3 months ago

                Cheney was a very unique case.

                The VP after Cheney was Biden, a man with more years in the Federal Government than any three 2008 primary rivals combined.

                • Maggoty@lemmy.world
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                  3 months ago

                  Did you look at the list at all? It’s not at all uncommon for the VP to be considered the next presumptive nominee. Which is what an understudy does.

                  • UnderpantsWeevil@lemmy.world
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                    3 months ago

                    It’s not at all uncommon for the VP to be considered the next presumptive nominee.

                    That’s very different from being less experienced