Most Americans who know the name Aaron Burr, know him as the man who killed Alexander Hamilton in their infamous duel in Weehawken, NJ on July 11, 1804. Thanks to Lin-Manuel Miranda, the name Aaron Burr has once again entered into American culture. However, what many may not realize, is that Aaron Burr at the time of the duel, was the Vice President of the United States! Needless to say, Burr's political career ended in disgrace as a result of the slaying.
Burr's time as Vice President was going to come to an end soon anyway because he was elected as VP as a result of a flaw with the Constitution. In its original form, the Constitution required that the Vice President would be the candidate who finished second in the electoral college. Not anticipating the development of political parties, the Framers never envisioned two candidates with fundamental disagreements being a problem in terms of governance. However, the problem was obvious by the election of 1800, in which Burr finished second to Thomas Jefferson, so Congress and the States amended the Constitution to create the system of selecting a Vice President that we use today. Burr would not have been chosen by the Democratic-Republicans as a Vice Presidential candidate in 1804. Despite, the many changes that have taken place since 1804, one thing remains the same: the Vice Presidency is where promising political careers go to die. Unlike Burr, modern Vice Presidents don't have to kill a founding father to end their career. The first two Vice Presidents, John Adams and Thomas Jefferson, went on to be elected President in their own right. However, since ratification of the 12th Amendment, only three Vice Presidents have gone on to be elected President: Martin Van Buren, Richard Nixon, and George Bush. The American people wanted Al Gore, but the Electoral College and Supreme Court disagreed. Sure, several VPs have become Commander-in-Chief as a result of a President's death or resignation. However, of those who have assumed the Presidency, only 3 (Theodore Roosevelt, Harry Truman , and Lyndon Johnson) were able to successfully win the Presidency in the next election. Modern vice presidential candidates are chosen to balance the ticket, strengthen the weaknesses of the presidential candidate, and appeal to a different section of the electorate. Nevertheless, the office remains the place were political careers go to end. This information is important because as I type this presumptive nominees Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton are busy vetting candidates to choose as their running mates. The decisions will no doubt be made within the next 10 days and the people who agree to run for VP will need to understand that their political careers are, in all likelihood, over if they are elected Vice President. For Mr. Trump, reports suggest that the choice has been narrowed to two people: Indiana Governor Mike Pence and former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich. Both are liked by establishment Republicans, however Pence has far more to lose if he agrees to run with Trump. Not only will he be forever associated with a racist, egocentric, widely unqualified, narcissist, he currently has the potential of running for President himself or serving in the cabinet of future administrations. He can forget all of that if he chooses to accept the Vice Presidential nomination, regardless of the outcome in November. Gingrich on the other hand has nothing to lose. He has been out of government ever since he left in disgrace during the 1990s. He has no hope of ever being elected to any significant office on his own, but he would appeal to some of the less principled Anti-Trump Republicans. To some, he would seem to help Trump where he is weakest: having any clue what it means to govern. The Vice Presidency would give Gingrich a level of influence he hasn't had in years and could serve as a resurrection of his career. He is the politically wise choice for Trump. For Secretary Clinton, the list of potential running mates is long and diverse. Virginia Senator Tim Kaine is a popular choice. The former Governor is well-liked in an important swing state and some think will offset some of Clinton's lack of personal likability. Only 58 years old, Kaine still could have a long career ahead of him. Some progressives want Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren. Warren is a favorite of the liberal wing of the Democratic Party. However, would Warren and her supporters be willing to sacrifice years of future influence (and potential leadership) in the Senate for perhaps only 4 years as Vice President? Ohio Senator Sherrod Brown is another popular pick. A popular progressive from the all important state of Ohio would help in terms of winning the election. Probably a wise choice, but again, a career killer. Furthermore, if either Warren or Brown are selected and win, a Republican governor would appoint their replacement. This is unlikely to sit well with Democrats. So who is the best choice for Clinton? The answer is obvious: Bernie Sanders. The Senator from Vermont is widely popular with the wing of the party that is turned off by Clinton. He is widely viewed as honest and genuine. He would have a seat at the table when helping to craft an agenda; something he lacks now. Sanders is 74 years old and not a member of the Democratic Party meaning he doesn't have many years of influence left in the Senate. The Vice Presidency could be a fitting end to his attempted political revolution. Whatever the choice, the candidates need to understand that if they are elected as Vice President it will probably signal the end of their political careers and they had better use the chance they are given to have as much influence as possible. Most importantly of all, whomever is asked to run needs to have the qualifications necessary to be President if circumstances require. Sadly, in our current political climate that most important qualification will be given far too little consideration.
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Derek Trent AshcraftA place to discuss, among other things, politics, culture, food, faith, and nonsense. Archives
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