Vice presidential politics

What was John McCain thinking in choosing Sarah Palin? What mark has Dick Cheney left on the office of vice president? All week, historians Lee Edwards and Allan J. Lichtman debate the politics and history surrounding the commander-in-chiefs No. 2.

Ranking the veeps

September 5, 2008

Dust-Up

Ranking the veeps

Today's question: Give us your list of best and worst vice presidents in recent history. Previously, Lichtman and Edwards debated the proper role of the vice president, discussed how history might treat Dick Cheney and digested the current candidates' running-mate choices.

The 'assistant president'

September 4, 2008

DUST-Up

The 'assistant president'

Today's question: The Constitution doesn't define the vice president's role beyond a handful of government tasks. What should be the role of the vice president? Previously, Edwards and Lichtman discussed how history might treat Dick Cheney and digested the current candidates' picks for vice president.

How will Cheney go down in history?

September 3, 2008

Dust-Up

How will Cheney go down in history?

Today's question: The office of vice president has been regarded as mostly ceremonial. How much (for better or worse) has Dick Cheney changed that? Previously, Edwards and Lichtman digested the candidates' vice president picks.

What were McCain and Obama thinking?

September 2, 2008

Dust-Up

What were McCain and Obama thinking?

Today's question: How do Joe Biden and Sarah Palin fit in with the recent history of presidential campaigns? All week, historians Lee Edwards and Allan J. Lichtman debate vice presidential politics.

Copyright © 2009, The Los Angeles Times

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