The Constitution’s 25th Amendment, ratified in 1967, spelled out the succession rules, stating that the vice president becomes president “in case of the removal of the president from office or of his death or resignation.” It also allowed the president and Congress to nominate and approve a new vice president if that office is vacated.
Vice presidential historian Joel K. Goldstein said two recent assassination attempts against Trump raise “the saliency of succession.” But he added that many voters view vice presidential nominees as appendages of the candidates who selected them, not necessarily as potential future presidents themselves.
“People do look at somebody as, are they ready to be a heartbeat away?” Goldstein said. “But it is also a question of how good a decisionmaker is the person who chose them.”
In 1992, Adm. James Stockdale, running mate of third-party candidate Ross Perot, was going for breezy but seemed befuddled when he opened the debate by saying, “Who am I? Why am I here?” His later response to a question, “I didn’t have my hearing aid turned up,” only reinforced that perception.
The debate between No. 2s was highly anticipated in 2008 after Republican Arizona Sen. John McCain selected Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin as his running mate and saw a bump in the polls. But her showdown with then-Delaware Sen. Joe Biden is best remembered for Palin approaching him before the start and saying, “Can I call you Joe?” That was Palin attempting to keep from mistakenly calling her opponent “O’Biden,” conflating Biden’s name with that of his running mate, then-Illinois Sen. Barack Obama.
The vice presidential nominee and Texas Democratic senator, Lloyd Bentsen, offered a stinging rejoinder against his opponent, Republican Sen. Dan Quayle of Indiana, in 1988. After Quayle compared himself to John F. Kennedy, Bentsen replied, “You’re no Jack Kennedy, senator.” But it was one of the Democratic ticket’s few high points in a race it lost handily.
In 2020, Harris faced off with Republican Vice President Mike Pence and declared when he tried to interrupt her, “I’m speaking,” a line she’s reprised in this campaign. But both candidates might have been overshadowed by a fly that perched on Pence’s hair for what felt like an eternity.
A nominee’s choice of No. 2 has historically made little Election Day difference. This year could be different.
Historical analysis by Mark P. Jones, a political science professor at Rice University in Houston, suggests that voters aren’t really swayed by a candidate’s running mate. Even the idea of using a pick to balance a ticket — like pairing the first major party nominee who is a woman of color with a white male in the case of Harris selecting Walz — may also be overstated.
“The evidence we have is that they’re really voting for the presidential nominee,” Jones said of Americans through the decades.
A key caveat might be that, given just how close the current race is looking to be in swing states, “It’s always possible that, at the margins, it may matter,” Jones said.
One reason why the Walz-Vance debate might shift more opinions this year is that Harris and Trump shared a stage only once, in early September. That means Tuesday may be the last chance before Election Day for voters to see the two tickets square off directly.
But, more likely, both Walz and Vance will simply need to avoid memorable unforced errors that can be endlessly replayed. Jones said such a race-shifting gaffe is unlikely — but not impossible.
“They’re disciplined,” Jones said. “But all it takes is one.”
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Republished with permission of The Associated Press.
Associated Press
12 comments
A Day without MAGA
September 29, 2024 at 9:44 am
Is JD gonna were his manties,while dress in drag
The Sage "E" AMERICA'S DEPORTATION CZAR
September 29, 2024 at 9:50 am
Good Morn ‘Ting undecided Sage Voters,
Please take a moment to clear your mind from the propagana you were just “Assulted & Battered” with in the above A. P. [AKA the ASS PRESS] artical.
STAND BY FOR SAGE WISDOM:
Most voters that “CLAIM” to be voting for “More Of The Same Failed Policies” by voting Harris are just paid shills and “Really Voting Trump”.
IN CLOSING:
You too are welcome to join The Sage Cool Kids by pretending to be a “Dook 4 Brains Lefty” while actually (and secertly casting your Sage Vote for Trump)
Just ignore the above ASS PRESS article and vote Trump with The Cool Kids. Here’s your chance to shed the image of being a “Smelly Nerd” and jump up to “Cool Kid Status”.
Thank you undecided Sage Voters,
The Sage “E” AMERICA’S DEPORTATION CZAR
*FREE BUMPER STICKER*
*COOL KID ON BOARD*
A Day without MAGA
September 29, 2024 at 2:54 pm
I hope Tropical Storm Leslie deport you, people like you in Florida are not in a position to have an attitude while you are in recovery mode ,when another will impact the state as early as next weekend,you people should pull together and support people that need help with your state recovery
The Sage "E" AMERICA'S DEPORTATION CZAR
September 29, 2024 at 3:04 pm
Once again, Gay Day,
CHASTIZED.
The Sage “E” AMERICA’S DEPORTATION CZAR
A Day without mad MAGA
September 29, 2024 at 6:28 pm
MAGA gone mad in Florida Google Braddock Paulina
Michael K
September 29, 2024 at 10:40 am
The question is, which of the multiple iterations and persona of the person currently known as “JD Vance” will show up on Tuesday?
One thing we know of late: Instead of answering a question he goes into full combat mode with journalists as “sport” during his rallies. Not sure how that will play out in a debate, but we shall see.
With Tim Walz, it’s WYSIWYG (what you see is what you get). Two midwesterners, two very different styles, and two very different perspectives.
But last time around, all I remember is that fly.
The Sage "E" AMERICA'S DEPORTATION CZAR
September 29, 2024 at 3:05 pm
Mike,
CHASTIZED
The Sage “E” AMERICA’S DEPORTATION CZAR
PeterH
September 29, 2024 at 3:01 pm
Walz has extensive executive governance experience and Vance has none.
The Sage "E" AMERICA'S DEPORTATION CZAR
September 29, 2024 at 3:06 pm
Peter,
CHASTIZED
The Sage “E” AMERICA’S DEPORTATION CZAR
Michael K
October 1, 2024 at 8:14 am
Here’s the complete list of JD Vance’s legislative accomplishments:
A Day without MAGA
September 29, 2024 at 6:30 pm
JD Vance has grievance against other White people that look down on him being trash,
MarvinM
September 30, 2024 at 4:10 pm
I look forward to the debate tomorrow night (wrote this Monday 9/30).
Vance will undoubtedly debate better than Trump, in that Trump doesn’t ever “debate”, he just spews.
Vance will be more disciplined in that.
But Walz is no lightweight. I don’t think it’s his congressional or gubenatorial experience as much as his teaching experience that will win the day.
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