vice president | Politic-Ed

William A. Wheeler: The Last Politician With Integrity

30May

By Matthew BootenNo Comments

History

William A. Wheeler: The Last Politician With Integrity

Politicians today get a bad rep. Instead of serving their constituents, most politicians only serve themselves. Yet William A. Wheeler, the 19th Vice President under Rutherford B. Hayes stands apart from the rest. Whilst there is - and always has been - debate on whether politicians should dictate their own salaries, William A. Wheeler was one of the few politicians to actively campaign against it. He believed in this so much that he even refused a salary increase in 1873 after Congress pushed through highly controversial legislation some have called the "Salary Grab Act". (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Early Life Politics Crisis of 1876 Vice Presidency Later Life & Death Legacy

Thomas A. Hendricks: A Democrat Through And Through

23May

By Leonard BurgessNo Comments

History

Thomas A. Hendricks: A Democrat Through And Through

A lifelong Democrat, Thomas A. Hendricks was the definition of a party man, voting the party line time and time, even if modern Democrats would be appalled at his voting record. Indeed, his rise to power during the Reconstruction Era saw this Southern Democrat oppose all attempts to heal the rift created by slavery, including supporting Andrew Johnson after his impeachment and voting against the thirteenth, fourteenth and fifteenth Amendments. And this didn't with his election as Vice President, if anything, it only strengthened his resolve and gave him more power to execute his agenda. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Early Life A Start in Politics Senator Governor VP Candidate Vice Presidency Death & Legacy

Hannibal Hamlin: The Least Popular Vice President

16May

By Catalina CarrionNo Comments

History

Hannibal Hamlin: The Least Popular Vice President

The first Vice-President under Abraham Lincoln, Hannibal Hamlin only narrowly missed out on being President, having been replaced as Vice President by Andrew Johnson only a month prior to Lincoln's assassination. A Republican like Lincoln unlike Johnson, Hannibal Hamlin was relatively unpopular with both the people and Lincoln, the latter of whom dropped him from his 1860 re-election ticket in favor of the Southerner Johnson. Yet even after he finished his term as VP, Hannibal Hamlin went on to have a rather interesting career as a senator, Collector of the Port of Boston and foreign ambassador before retiring. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Early Life A Start in Politics Vice President Post-VP Politics Later Life & Death L...

Thomas R. Marshall: A More Global Stance?

9May

By Simon BlaugNo Comments

History

Thomas R. Marshall: A More Global Stance?

For much of the early 20th century, the US isolated itself from European and international affairs at large. Thomas R. Marshall, the 28th Vice President of the United States, on the other hand, believed the US should've taken a more direct role in international politics. Particularly concerned with the rise of fascism, Marshall believed the US should've gotten involved in European politics to prevent the rise of Hitler and the atrocities that ensued. And best of all? He predicted this years before Hitler took power in 1933. Perhaps unsurprisingly, Marshall was not a particularly popular VP, especially not with his president, Woodrow Wilson and his First Lady, Edith Wilson, who felt Marshall was "uncouth". (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Early ...

Daniel D. Tompkins: Sacrificing His Fortune For You!

2May

By Matthew BootenNo Comments

History

Daniel D. Tompkins: Sacrificing His Fortune For You!

The fourth Governor of New York who also served as the Sixth vice president under James Monroe, Daniel D. Tompkins was an extremely wealthy man during his early lifetime. But by the time he died in June 1825, he was near-penniless owing to his immense spending during his time as Governor of New York. No, it wasn't on big houses, but funding the state militia during the War of 1812 when the state legislature refused. Indeed, he spent so much funding the militia that by the time he became vice president, he was nearly penniless and never recovered financially... (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Early Life A Start in Politics Governor of New York Vice President Death & Legacy

18Apr

By Catalina CarrionNo Comments

History

George M. Dallas: The Forgotten Maestro

Though his name has been forgotten to history, George M. Dallas was one of the savviest political operators of his time, rising from being just another lawyer to an important player in Pennsylvania state politics, to vice president! A member of the Democratic Party, Dallas led the so-called "Family Faction" of the party's Pennsylvania chapter, developing a fierce rivalry with future President James Buchanan, as both vied for control of the party. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Early Life Legal Career Political Career Pennsylvania State Politics Diplomatic Career Vice President Tariffs Death & Legacy

William R. King: The First Gay Vice President?

4Apr

By Matthew BootenNo Comments

History

William R. King: The First Gay Vice President?

The 13th Vice President, serving under Franklin Pierce, William R. King had an unusually close relationship with future president James Buchanan, with both men living together and being referred to as the other's "better half". Perhaps unsurprisingly, many modern historians believe that the two men - both lifelong bachelors - were in fact lovers. And it's not just modern historians that thought that... so did many contemporary political rivals. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Early Life A Start in Politics National Politics Vice President Death & Legacy A Gay Vice President?

28Mar

By Simon BlaugNo Comments

History

James S. Sherman: So Many Firsts…

Affectionately known as "Sunny Jim" by supporters and colleagues alike, James S. Sherman may not have been the most gifted of administrators, but as a politician, he was nothing short of a maestro. So when he was nominated to be the Republican Party's Vice Presidential nominee in 1908, it didn't come as a surprise to many. But whilst his predecessors and successors were dull administrators, Sherman reinvented himself to become a first of firsts so to speak. He was the first vice president to fly in an airplane and the first to throw out the ceremonial first pitch at a baseball game. On a more morbid note, he's also the most recent Vice President to die in office... (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Early Life Congress Vice-President Il...

How to Become Vice President in 7 Easy Steps!

28Feb

By Regina SamuelsNo Comments

Explainer

How to Become Vice President in 7 Easy Steps!

The life of a politician is not an easy one. Being vice president is especially not easy. Yet, many see it as a stepping stone to the White House. So how do you become vice president? Indeed, of the 49 people to have held the office of vice president (Kamala Harris being the 49th), 15 have gone on to become president! Whilst this is not necessarily the only way you could go on to become vice president, the following is by far the most common way, and the one most likely to yield success (based on the backgrounds of previous vice presidents). (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); 1. Have an Interest in Politics 2. Gain Some Life Experience 3. Get Elected 4. Join a Ticket 5. Campaign 6. Get Elected 7. Become President!

How John Nance Garner Became Texas’ Most Colorful Politician

22Nov

By Matthew BootenNo Comments

History

How John Nance Garner Became Texas’ Most Colorful Politician

One of only two men to serve as both the leader of the House and Senate, with a political career spanning 42 years, John Nance Garner became a sort-of father figure to the members of the Democratic Party and gained a reputation for being a gifted backroom politician. But despite serving term terms as the 32nd Vice President during Franklin Roosevelt's first two terms, John's seeming disloyalty - that is, his criticism of Roosevelt running for a third term in 1940 - saw him thrown off the 1940 ticket and replaced with Henry A. Wallace. When he left the office of Vice President, he ended his life of public service, instead retiring to his home in Texas and becoming a sort of unofficial political advisor to any Democrat who needed it. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle ...