2016 Vice Presidential Debate: History of the Vice Presidency

The American Vice Presidency is an all-inclusive examination of the vice presidency throughout American history. Acclaimed political journalist and author Jules Witcover chronicles each of the 47 vice presidents, including their personal biographies and their achievements--or lack thereof--during their vice presidential tenures. He explores how the roles and responsibilities were first subject to the whims of the presidents under whom they served, but came in time to be expanded by enlightened chief executives and the initiatives of the vice presidents themselves. Constitutionally assigned only to preside over the Senate as they stand by to fill a presidential vacancy, early vice presidents were left to languish in irrelevance and ineffectiveness; only in recent decades have vice presidents received--or taken--more power. In particular, Walter Mondale, Al Gore, Dick Cheney, and Joe Biden have undertaken greater and more significant responsibilities. Witcover reports the political maneuvering and manipulation that transformed the vice presidency from mere consolation prize to de facto assistant presidency. The American Vice Presidency, an insightful, revealing look at this oft-dismissed office, is a must-have for lovers of behind-the-scenes political history.

This now illustrated, greatly expanded, and fully updated edition of one of our most acclaimed reference works provides detailed biographical sketches for the 95 United States major party and significant third-party nominees who were never elected president or vice president.New to this edition are four subsequent elections, biographies of 41 third-tier candidates who received at least 2 percent of the popular vote or 5 percent of the electoral vote, portraits or photographs of every single nominee, and revisions and updates of all biographies. The candidates' lives and careers are fully revealed and an analysis is provided of how they might have fared if they had been elected.

In the slightly more than 200 years since John Adams became the first incumbent in America, the vice presidency has seen a procession of prominent figures and public disgraces. Political and historical, The Vice Presidents collects the life stories of all 45 men who have held this office. Each biography addresses the state of the country at the time these men were in office.