Is Being the Vice President the Best Job?

No, I prefer a job where I had a real impact on the world not one where I’m waiting for the president to die or for a tie vote in the Senate. People accepting that position generally want to be president. Most people who want to be president want to work hard at their jobs. They want to be important.

Varied Impact of the Vice Presidency

There is little inherent authority in the role, so the importance of the Vice President varies from administration to administration. Some Vice Presidents have been quite influential, most notably Cheney for the first half of the Bush Administration. Others have even gone on to become President. For others, the job was little more than a sinecure. How many Americans, for instance, have even heard of Alben W. Barkley?

Past Vice Presidents' Views on the Position

I suppose that being the Vice President is the best job if you don’t like to do very much. The problem is that most people who get elected to that job are very ambitious.

Here are what some past Vice Presidents have said about the position:

John Nance Garner: "The vice presidency is not worth a bucket of warm piss." He also said taking the job was “the worst damn fool mistake I ever made.” Spiro Agnew: [No specific quote provided] Theodore Roosevelt: [No specific quote provided]

Historically, the Vice President's role has been complex and often underappreciated. While some have risen to prominence and even assumed the presidency, many have found the experience unfulfilling.

Conclusion and Analysis

Is being the Vice President the best job? It depends on one's perspective and goals. If the primary objective is to have a direct and significant impact on world affairs, the Vice Presidency may not be the ideal choice. On the other hand, for someone whose ambitions lie more in political stability and less in active governance, the role could be seen as quite comfortable.

In the end, the suitability of the Vice Presidency as a job boils down to personal ambition, political drive, and the specific set of skills and values one prioritizes.

Related Keywords: vice president, presidential impact, political ambition