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Pence or Harris: Their television match draws a lot of attention because future number two could soon become number one. In any case, it depends on the deputy in crucial situations.
By Reinhard Baumgarten, SWR
The position of vice president of the United States is “the most insignificant position ever conceived.” The quote is from John Adams. From 1789 to 1797 he was the first vice president of the United States. Apparently he suffered greatly from the long shadow of President George Washington.
But many things have changed since then. The position of vice president has become more meaningful, rich in content, and also more important. The influence of a vice president depends largely on the personality of the official.
And, of course, how much space number one allows in state number two. Vice President Mike Pence considers himself calm, quiet, and low-key. The US media criticizing the government sometimes paints the picture of a willing and volunteer yes-man dedicated to Donald Trump. The president last named him head of the Corona Task Force in the spring, a position that is likely to be a significant burden on pennies given the 210,000 deaths related to Covid-19.
Trump and Biden, the elderly leaders
Under the constitution, the vice president becomes number one in the state if the president dies, abdicates, loses his position through impeachment, or becomes so seriously ill that he can no longer do his job. Trump is overweight, has high blood pressure, and Covid-19. The public is not aware of what his state of health really is.
Trump left the Walter Reed Army Medical Center on Tuesday. At the hospital, his challenger Joe Biden had to undergo two complicated brain operations in the late 1980s. Trump is 74 years old, Biden would be 78 if he took office in January next year. they have never been greater and speculation about their physical condition has been greater.
Therefore, the probability appears to be relatively high this time that the next number one may be replaced by its respective number two in the foreseeable future. This is why the television duel between candidates Mike Pence and challenger Kamala Harris is so important.
The vice presidency became increasingly important
The political office of the vice presidency has grown significantly since the time of John Adams. The second man in the state is the president of the Senate and he can cast the deciding vote there in the event of a deadlock, for example, also in voting on impeachment proceedings against the president. Since 1933, the vice president has regularly attended cabinet meetings. He has had his own office in the White House since 1961.
Vice presidents have risen to number one in the state eight times during a legislative term after presidents-elect died or were assassinated. Gerald Ford became president in 1974 because Richard Nixon had to resign over the Watergate affair. Mike Pence, 61, is the 48th vice president of the United States. Kamala Harris, 56, would be the first woman to hold this position.
Balancing act between loyalty and personal ambition
The presidential candidate and the vice-presidential candidate usually appear in the electoral campaign as a complementary tandem that covers the widest possible spectrum within their political field. For President Trump, evangelical Christian Mike Pence provides an important link to the religious-conservative field. Kamala Harris is supposed to address the feminist, colored and left spectrum in the democratic field.
They both face a very similar challenge: They have to prove themselves to be useful career partners of their presidential candidates and fill positions that correspond to their respective number one. At the same time, they have to point out to an audience of millions who, if necessary, can occupy the presidency based on their professional qualifications and personal suitability and lead a nation.
By the way, five vice presidents managed to become presidents. John Adams, the first number two, made the leap to the top in 1797, inheriting George Washington. Many, most recently Al Gore in 2000, failed to move into the White House. If you couldn’t make the leap to the top, you didn’t fall into the abyss. He became a senator, governor, minister, head of authority, was successful in business or became a privateer. Mike Pence would have many options if Donald Trump were defeated. Like Harris, he can already foresee the next election in 2024 in one form or another.
