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America's Vice Presidents: From Irrelevance to Power
America's Vice Presidents From Irrelevance to Power Author:Jules Witcover America's Vice Presidents: From Irrelevance to Power is an all-inclusive examination of the vice presidency over the course of 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 presid... more »ential 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 all undertaken greater and more significant responsibilities. Witcover reports the political maneuvering and manipulation that have transformed the vice presidency from mere consolation prize to de facto assistant presidency. America's Vice Presidents, an insightful, revealing look at this oft-dismissed office, is a must-have for lovers of behind-the-scenes political history.« less