Vice Shit. Flashcards
Power 1
Break Senate Tie Breaks
President of the Senate Role
Power 1 explanation
The VP can vote in the Senate when the Senate is 50/50 split on a vote.
Power 1 (tie breaking vote) example
> In 2017 Mike Pence was forced to cast a tie breaking vote on the confirmation of Betsy DeVos for Education Secretary. He voted in favour.
> Dick Cheney had to cast 8 tie breaking votes during his time as VP.
Power 2
Certify the Electoral College Vote
(President of the Senate Role)
Power 2 explanation
The VP will announce the Electoral College vote after Presidential Elections in the Houses of Congress.
Power 2 (Certify EC Vote) example
> In 1989 George H.W. Bush announced his own Presidency as VP.
> In 2001 Al Gore announced the presidency of his opponent George Bush Jr. in the role of VP.
Power 3
President in Waiting
Power 3 explanation
Under the Tyler Precedent, in the case a president is ill and unable to continue as President or dies in whatever way, the Vice President will serve the rest of the President’s term in that capacity.
Power 3 (President in waiting) example
In 2002 George W. Bush had to undergo surgery requiring sedition; for that time Dick Cheney was officially Acting President.
In 1963 after the assassination of JFK, LBJ had to take up the role of President.
In 1974 after Richard Nixon resigned in relation to the Watergate scandal, Gerald Ford who was his VP became Acting President.
Power 4
Use contacts to help President with his agenda
Power 4 explanation
The Vice President will often be politically experienced and have accrued many contacts over their years working. They can call upon these contacts to help the President meet his agenda.
“Washington insider”
Power 4 (use of contacts “Washington insider”) example
> Joe Biden worked to convince Arlen Specter to switch from Republican to Democratic party
> This would give the Democrats 60 votes in the Senate to stop Republican Filibusters at a time when Obama was trying to pass Obamacare (2009)
Power 5
Delegate roles
Power 5 explanation
The President can delegate tasks to the Vice President to do that he doesn’t feel he can do or want to do.
Power 5 example (delegate roles)
Dick Cheney, Bush’s VP was delegated with the task of making provisional appointments to presidential staff.
