This week, as JD Vance prepares to follow Donald Trump into the White House for the next four years, I want to shine a light on the most high profile understudy in the world. The Vice Presidency is often criticised and ridiculed by many, including those who have held the office, but how much power do they really wield? In this episode, I ask… what does the Vice President actually do?
...
Special guest for this episode:
- Clodagh Harrington, a US politics lecturer from University College Cork, and host of the excellent podcast A Chicken in Every Pot. Her monograph, co-authored with Alex Waddan, entitled ‘Obama V Trump: the Politics of Presidential Legacy and Rollback is available now, and the follow-up, Trump V Biden is due for publication next year.
...
Highlights from this episode:
- The Vice President's influence in the Senate
- The importance of good rapport with their Presidents
- The dynamic between a First Lady and a Vice President
- Notable Vice Presidents like Cheney have redefined their roles, showcasing how these positions can evolve over time based on individual character and circumstance
- The impact of political legacies of Presidents on their their Vice Presidents, either bolstering or hindering their future electoral campaigns
- The relationship and trust between a President and Vice President
...
Additional Resources:
READ: Obama v. Trump: The Politics of Rollback by Clodagh Harrington
READ: The vice presidency: From 'insignificant office' to political powerhouse : NPR
READ: US Vice Presidents Who Went on to Become President | HISTORY
LISTEN: A Chicken in Every Pot
...
And if you like this episode, you might also love:
What Was the Constitutional Convention?
Why Does the President Only Serve Two Terms?
Is the President Above the Law?
How Are Presidents Elected?
What is the US Constitution?
...
Thank you for listening to our podcast. It's a labor of love by an American history nerd and some smarter folk. Making it does come at a small cost so if you'd like to help:
Your support helps us keep the show running, and it is highly appreciated!
Are you a University, college, or higher education institution? Become an academic partner and your name will appear right here.
