The upcoming vice presidential debate between Senator JD Vance and Governor Tim Walz has reignited discussions about the significance of the vice presidency in American politics. While historically dismissed as an insignificant role, the office of the vice president has steadily grown in importance and influence over the past century. As voters tune in to watch Vance and Walz face off, it's crucial to understand why this debate matters and how the vice presidency has evolved into a position of considerable power and responsibility.
The Evolution of the Vice Presidency
The vice presidency was once famously derided by John Nance Garner, who served under Franklin D. Roosevelt, as "not worth a bucket of warm piss." This sentiment reflected the long-held view that the role was largely ceremonial and lacked real influence. However, the 20th century saw a gradual but significant expansion of the vice president's duties and impact on governance.
As Julian E. Zelizer, a professor of history and public affairs at Princeton University, notes: "Throughout the 20th century, the office of the vice presidency grew significantly in importance. Though not the person sitting behind the Resolute desk, under skillful hands, vice presidents have wielded considerable influence and the scope of the office has steadily grown."
Constitutional Responsibilities
The Constitution outlines two primary responsibilities for the vice president:
- Succession to the presidency in case of the president's death, resignation, or inability to serve
- Presiding over the Senate and casting tie-breaking votes
These constitutional duties have proven crucial at various points in American history. Vice presidents who have ascended to the presidency following a tragedy, such as Lyndon B. Johnson after John F. Kennedy's assassination, have had profound impacts on the nation's trajectory.
Expanded Role in Governance
Beyond these constitutional duties, modern vice presidents have taken on increasingly substantial roles within the executive branch:
Policy Influence: Vice presidents now regularly participate in high-level policy discussions and decision-making processes.
Diplomatic Missions: Many VPs have undertaken important diplomatic missions abroad, representing U.S. interests on the global stage.
Legislative Liaison: With their connections to Congress, vice presidents often serve as a bridge between the executive and legislative branches.
Special Projects: Presidents frequently task their VPs with overseeing major initiatives or committees.
Key Turning Points in VP History
Several key moments and figures have shaped the evolution of the vice presidency:
Walter Mondale: Under Jimmy Carter, Mondale significantly expanded the VP's role, gaining an office in the West Wing and regular access to intelligence briefings.
Al Gore: As Bill Clinton's VP, Gore led important initiatives on government efficiency and internet regulation.
Dick Cheney: Perhaps the most influential modern VP, Cheney wielded considerable power in shaping George W. Bush's foreign policy and counterterrorism strategies.
Joe Biden: As Barack Obama's VP, Biden was a key advisor on issues ranging from foreign policy to domestic initiatives.
Zelizer emphasizes this growth in importance: "Change was already evident with Vice President Calvin Coolidge, whom President Warren Harding invited to participate in cabinet meetings. Garner's successor in 1941, Henry Wallace, chaired Roosevelt's Economic Defense Board and the Supply Priorities and Allocation Board, two bodies that were deeply relevant to the World War II production effort."
Why the VP Debate Matters
Given the expanded role of the vice presidency, the debate between VP candidates takes on greater significance:
Governing Capability: The debate offers insight into how each candidate might perform in a governing role, not just as a campaigner.
Policy Expertise: Viewers can assess the candidates' knowledge and positions on key issues they may influence as VP.
Crisis Management: The debate can reveal how candidates might handle high-pressure situations or unexpected challenges.
Potential Presidency: Given the possibility of succession, voters must consider if each candidate is prepared to assume the presidency if necessary.
Administration Dynamics: The debate can provide clues about the working relationship between the presidential and vice presidential candidates.
The Vance-Walz Debate: What to Watch For
As Senator JD Vance and Governor Tim Walz prepare to face off, viewers should pay attention to several key factors:
Policy Alignment: How closely do their views align with their respective presidential candidates?
Governing Experience: How do their backgrounds prepare them for a national executive role?
Crisis Response: How do they handle tough questions or unexpected topics?
Vision for the Role: Do they articulate a clear understanding of how they see the vice presidency?
Bipartisanship: How do they approach working across the aisle, given the VP's potential role in Senate tie-breaking?
The VP as a Crucial Governing Partner
The modern vice presidency is far more than a ceremonial position. As Zelizer argues, "When Vance and Walz square off on Tuesday, Americans should evaluate both men not just for what they mean to the presidential campaign—but for what kind of role they will play as governing partners."
Recent history has shown how influential a vice president can be:
Mike Pence: Despite challenges in asserting independence from Donald Trump, Pence played a crucial role in maintaining relationships with conservative lawmakers and foreign leaders. His refusal to block the certification of the 2020 election results was a pivotal moment for American democracy.
Kamala Harris: As the current VP, Harris has taken on significant responsibilities, including work on immigration policy, reproductive rights, and international diplomacy. Zelizer notes, "Harris has proven quite effective working on a number of difficult issues, including figuring out how to assist Ukraine in its efforts to defeat Russia, and has been the point person on the fight for reproductive rights."
As viewers tune in to the Vance-Walz debate, it's crucial to remember the significant role that vice presidents play in modern governance. Zelizer concludes with a poignant reminder: "As Americans watch the debate on Tuesday, they should remember how much the job has mattered, and not just in times of crisis. They should carefully evaluate who would be a better governing official: what values they will defend; what their demeanor will be in difficult moments; how they will reason their way through difficult decisions. For when the nation doesn't take potential vice presidents seriously, we do so at our own risk."
The vice presidential debate is not just a political sideshow, but a crucial opportunity for voters to assess potential leaders who may wield significant influence over the direction of the country. As the role of the vice president continues to evolve and expand, these debates take on ever-greater importance in the American political landscape.
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