When it comes to the United States’ popular mythology, presidential running mates are somehow viewed as the ultimate accessory. At best, some aspiring vice presidents flatter the candidate’s ability, adding extra panache. But the wrong choice can easily leave voters wondering, “What was he even thinking?”
Well, not every running mate bemoaned the post as “the most insignificant office,” as John Adams said, or worse than “a pitcher of warm piss,” quoting the famous words of Franklin D Roosevelt’s vice-president John Nance Garner. As a matter of fact, some vice presidents have definitely gone down in US history as more politically skilful than the commanders in chief they served.
Richard Nixon led plenty of cabinet meetings on behalf of President Dwight Eisenhower, as Lyndon Johnson boasted his legislative savvy skills, so much so that the younger John F. Kennedy was never able to match. Then, of course, there’s Dick Cheney, whose unprecedented control over decision-making in George Bush’s White House gives liberals from all over the world the jitters.
However, where does Cheney rank in this canon? Here are the best and worst running mates in US history. Let’s start with the top five.
Lyndon Johnson
Lyndon B. Johnson’s role as vice president from 1961 to 1963 is a case study in how a shrewd political operator could navigate a largely ceremonial role, then reshape it only with his sheer force of skill, will, as well as timing.
Johnson spent plenty of years as a legislative juggernaut in the Senate, way before John F. Kennedy tapped him as his running mate, as an attempt to balance the Democratic ticket. This appeased the Southern and more conservative factions of the party.
Johnson also brought with him a reputation for effectiveness, arm-twisting, and the extraordinary ability to get legislation passed through the intricate maze of Capitol Hill bureaucracy.
But once he started his vice president term, Johnson was suddenly marginalized. JFK’s “New Frontiersmen” saw him with suspicion or outright disdain, and Johnson’s extraordinary duties were more ceremonial than anything else.
However, LBJ was no idle bystander. He paid a lot of attention, intensely studying the workings of the executive branch, then kept his political networks alive. He was quite patient. Well, when tragedy struck in Dallas back in 1963, he was more than ready.
Walter Mondale
Walter Mondale managed to transform his vice presidency from simply a ceremonial role into a real partnership. Serving under President Jimmy Carter from 1977 to 1981, Mondale’s vice presidency is still seen as the blueprint for the modern version of the job.
Before Mondale, vice presidents were exempted from the inner sanctum of presidential power. Well, Mondale changed that. He was the first to establish holding weekly private meetings with the president, move his office into the West Wing, and was granted full access to sensitive documents and classified briefings.
In other words, he was quite a trusted adviser, not simply a standby in case of emergency. This particular integration into the executive core also allowed Mondale to be effective in diplomacy, policy planning, as well as political strategy.
Theodore Roosevelt
When Theodore Roosevelt was nominated as William McKinley’s running mate in 1900, many believed it was a clever way to sideline him. Roosevelt, one of the most progressive war heroes, succeeded in upsetting many in the Republican establishment, especially with his reformist zeal as Governor of New York.
The vice presidency seemed like a safe place to hide him away. Naturally, this gamble backfired immensely when McKinley was assassinated back in 1901, catapulting Roosevelt into the presidency.
At 42 years old, he became the youngest person to ever hold the office. In fact, he wasted no time in making history. Roosevelt even used the “bully pulpit” to encourage the public to rally against reform and bust monopolies.
Al Gore
Al Gore, who was Bill Clinton’s running mate back in 1992, as well as the vice president from 1993 to 2001, took a more engaged and technocratic role than many other vice presidents before him.
Gore was quite a young, energetic, and deeply invested one, especially regarding issues such as environmental protection, technology, and government reform. Clinton didn’t see Gore as a political balance, but also as a forward-thinking policy wonk who could easily modernize the Democratic message.
Dick Cheney
Truth be told, no modern vice president had more power on his hands than Dick Cheney. Serving under George W. Bush from 2001 to 2009, Cheney managed to redefine the boundaries of the role, turning it into quite an important hub of power and influence within the administration.
With an interesting background in defense, intelligence, and legislative affairs, Cheney efficiently served as Chief of Staff to Gerald Ford, Secretary of Defense under George H.W. Bush, and was also a key Washington insider.
Cheney’s influence left an imprint, especially when it comes to foreign and national security policy. He was quite instrumental in pushing for the Iraq War, killing and destroying the homes of millions of innocent people, just for the sake of displaying white supremacist power.
Aaron Burr
Aaron Burr is still one of the most infamous vice presidents in our history, and not just for his vice-presidential tenure under Thomas Jefferson, from 1801 to 1805, but more for the scandal that followed.
Burr was the one to bring political savvy to Jefferson’s well-known campaign, helping secure important New York electoral votes, and also aiding Jefferson’s victory after the much-contested 1800 election. Even so, the political partnership soured quite fast.
Matter of fact, Jefferson decided to freeze Burr out of meaningful influence, and Burr spent the wide majority of his term in obscurity.
Even so, he etched his name in American lore when he murdered Alexander Hamilton in a duel in 1804, effectively ending his political career.
Spiro Agnew
He was vice president under Richard Nixon from 1969 to 1973, and is known to have one of those political stories marked by a rapid rise, as well as a catastrophic fall. At first, he was picked to appeal to moderate and Southern voters, being well-known for his combative rhetoric and fervent attacks on the media and anti-war protesters. He also became a cultural symbol of the Nixonian backlash against 1960s liberalism.
Dan Quayle
When George H.W. Bush decided to go with Dan Quayle as his running mate back in 1988, it raised so many eyebrows. He was seen by many as young, inexperienced, and a complete stranger outside Indiana.
In fact, he became a punchline way before he could prove himself. His vice presidency, spanning from 1989 to 1993, was marked by high-profile gaffes, as well as a perceived lack of gravitas.
John Tyler
John Tyler’s situation is more unique, since he was William Henry Harrison’s running mate back in 1840, later becoming president due to Harrison’s unexpected death. Tyler’s succession was quite controversial, especially since it sparked a constitutional crisis over whether he was, in fact, “the president,” or just an “acting president.”
He even insisted on full presidential powers, setting an important precedent strictly followed ever since. However, Tyler’s presidency couldn’t escape political turmoil. Even if he was elected on a Whig ticket, he rapidly clashed with the party’s leadership, being expelled from it altogether.
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