“There cannot be a great vice president. A great man may occupy the office, but there is no way for him to become a great vice president because the office in itself is almost wholly unimportant.”
—former Vice President John Nance Garner, Collier’s Magazine, March 20, 1948
Explain what Garner meant by this remark. Use information from your reading to explain how his point of view compares with the job description of the Vice President described in the chapter.
how would I explain it?
Reed aint playing no games
I could give you my interpretation, but your instructions say to use the information from your reading.
yes please do give me your interpretation..
Vice presidents have always taken a back seat to the president. Protocol demands that they don't contradict the president in public and that they live in the shadow of the commander-in-chief.
Now, what is YOUR interpretation, Alexa? Or are you going to cheat and use Ms. Sue's as your own?
calm down Reed she just tryna get some opinions to help her out
To explain John Nance Garner's remark, you can consider the context in which it was made and how it aligns with the job description of the Vice President.
John Nance Garner, a former Vice President, believed that the role of the Vice President was largely insignificant. When he said "there cannot be a great vice president," he meant that the position itself does not allow for greatness. Garner believed this because he saw the Vice President's office as "almost wholly unimportant."
In comparison to Garner's viewpoint, the job description of the Vice President, as described in the chapter, may offer a different perspective. The Vice President's role is generally seen as serving as the second-highest executive officer in the United States government, supporting and assisting the President in various capacities. The Vice President's duties can include attending meetings, representing the administration at events, and even assuming the role of the President in their absence.
However, Garner's remark suggests that despite the job description's potential importance, the limitations and constraints of the Vice President's role may prevent them from achieving true greatness. Garner likely believed that the position's inherent limitations, such as the lack of executive power and minimal decision-making authority, made it difficult for someone to truly make a significant impact or leave a lasting legacy as Vice President.
By explaining Garner's remark in this way and comparing it with the job description, you provide an analysis of his perspective on the significance of the Vice President's role and how it aligns or differs from the expectations outlined in the chapter.