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Mini Poll: Rating the Vice Presidents
 The holder of the Office of the Vice President of the United States is the first person in the presidential line of succession — and would (and has) become president in the event that office is vacant. The vice president also presides over the United States Senate as its president, and over the joint session of Congress that counts the votes of the Electoral College.
Although the Constitution does not assign the Office of the Vice President to a specific branch of government, modern usage regards the vice president as a member of the Executive Branch. Modern vice presidents, like Joe Biden and Dick Cheney, have served as presidential advisers and surrogates, and as spokesmen for their administration’s policies.
The selection of a vice presidential running mate is one of the few suspenseful moments after a presidential candidate has secured enough delegate votes to win the nomination. The qualities that presidential nominees seek in their vice presidents seem to be directly related to their ability to help in the election. So, aspirants from swing states, from different eras or genders, or from wings of the party that need stiffening are generally preferred.
This week’s Mini-Poll asks for your views on this election cycle’s major party candidates for Vice President: Joe Biden and Paul Ryan. As a bonus, you will be given a chance to select alternatives.
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