Why Veeps Now Matter

[Terri]

By Michael Barone
June 30, 2008

"Not Exactly a Crime" is the title of a book on America's vice presidents published in 1972 -- a year before Vice President Spiro Agnew was forced to resign for actually committing a crime.

The office of vice president has long been the butt of jokes -- you know the punch lines -- but as we await Barack Obama's and John McCain's choices for vice president, we do so with the knowledge that vice presidents in the last five administrations have been important officers of government. (Yes, including Dan Quayle -- see Bob Woodward and David Broder's book). How the vice presidency has been transformed is an interesting story that takes us from the Founding Fathers to recent history.

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[ONTIME]

If ever two candidates needed a good VP to have not only for back up but as a good primary advisor, both of these POTUS possibles are in dire need. Both are so inadequate in so many areas on the issues and the recent problems, it is going to take all the concentration and help they can get just to stay in office and complete one term.

This nation is desperate for good strong leadership that can communicate and connect with the citizens, so far we are not seeing it.