Viewpoints, qualifications and history of the vice presidential selection process.
· Step 1: Guidelines Worksheet
· Step 2: Clip on V.P. selection process
· Step 3: Historical clips
· Step 4: Background research on Cheney & Edwards


Topics & Standards Covered: Political communication, political parties and campaigns, public opinion, and the electoral college

Roles of the Vice President
Watch the V.P. Debate (C-SPAN 2004 Debates Site)   

	When vice presidential candidates are named, questions are raised about their ability to assume the presidency. As an introduction to this topic, learn who said the following quotes about these men, both of whom succeeded a president who was assassinated.  Then continue through the steps below to learn about the vice presidency.
		About Theodore Roosevelt:  "Now look! That damned cowboy is president of the United States!" Find out who said this!		About Chester Arthur:  "Chet Arthur, president of the United States? Good God!"  Find out who said this!

Step 1
	Download the Guidelines Worksheet. In groups or individually, brainstorm and record the attributes that you think a presidential candidate should look for in a running mate. Share your lists with the class.

Step 2
	Watch the clip and record (in the "Campaign Advisor" column of your Guidelines Worksheet) the attributes that John Reilly, advisor for Walter Mondale's vice presidential selection in 1984, feels are important in the vice presidential selection process. Compare your views with John Reilly's. What additional factors does Mr. Reilly include in his selection criteria? Why does he think they are important? Why do you think your factors are important? Campaign Advisor John Reilly on vice presidential selection

Step 3
	In groups or individually, view at least three of the following clips which discuss specific vice presidential selections. On your Guidelines Worksheet record the reasons given for each vice presidential selection. Then, in writing or in a group discussion compare the historic reasons for the selection of vice presidential running mates with the criteria suggested by John Reilly and your own viewpoints. What similarities and differences did you find? Which of the historic selection criteria support your ideas and/or Mr. Reilly's? Explain. Watch clips | View clip descriptions Hannibal Hamlin (Abraham Lincoln, 1860) Andrew Johnson (Abraham Lincoln, 1864) Booknotes interview with David McCullough on his book, Truman. (Franklin Delano Roosevelt, 1944) Richard M. Nixon (Dwight D. Eisenhower, 1952) Lyndon B. Johnson (John F. Kennedy, 1960) Lyndon B. Johnson (John F. Kennedy, 1964)

Step 4
	Use the links below to research the backgrounds of Dick Cheney, the Republican vice presidential candidate and John Edwards, the Democratic vice presidential candidate. What characteristics and attributes do they share with your recorded data? How are their characteristics unique from your recorded data? V.P. Cheney interview (7/14/04) Bush Cheney 20O4 campaign web site Kerry Edwards 2004 campaign web site