Presidential Madness (Rounds 7 and 8): Best vice president ever

NCC Staff

Our two-week contest to pick the best presidential Cabinet ever continues with two matchups involving vice presidents who played critical roles spanning more than two centuries.

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At Constitution Daily, madness in March doesn’t just apply to the NCAA—it’s also an awesome excuse to give the bracket treatment to the executive branch of government. This year, it’s all about the presidential Cabinet.

Get into Presidential Madness by downloading a bracket [PDF] and predicting who you think will make it to the finals as best Cabinet member of all time. Check in and vote each day at Constitution Daily for the latest round of polling.

Round 7: Historical vice president

The office of vice president evolved from an afterthought to an essential Cabinet member during the 1800s and early 1900s.

1. John Adams. Served 1789 – 1797. He was George Washington’s vice president for 8 years before becoming the second president.

2. Martin Van Buren. Served 1833 – 1837. “Old Kinderhook” was Andrew Jackson’s second vice president, heir to the presidency, and a key political operative.

3. Garret Hobart. Served 1897 – 1899. The popular Hobart was a key confidant of President William McKinley and functioned more like a modern vice president before his premature death.

4. Theodore Roosevelt. Served 1901. The former New York governor replaced Hobart as an energetic campaigner and become the first vice president who succeeded to the presidency to get re-elected.

Pick your favorite in our polls below, and check back each day to see a new Presidential Madness vote!

Note: If you can’t see the poll above, use this link: http://poll.fm/460nn

Round 8: Modern vice president

The vice presidency in the 20th century took on an expanded role, especially after World War II.

1. Richard Nixon. Served 1953 – 1961. Nixon survived a campaign scandal to serve as the vice president for Dwight Eisenhower in a very public way.

2. Hubert Humphrey. Served 1965 – 1969. A Senate stalwart, Humphrey came into the White House in the election after JFK’s death and also served Lyndon Johnson in a high-profile role.

3. Gerald Ford. Served 1974 – 1977. Ford showed dignity and experience as he replaced a resigning Vice President Spiro Agnew, and then a resigning President Richard Nixon, in office.

4. George H.W. Bush. Served 1981 – 1989. Bush ran against Ronald Reagan as a candidate and then served him as vice president for eight years in the 1980s.

5. Al Gore. Served 1993 – 2001. Gore was also a former candidate who became Bill Clinton’s vice president for two terms.

6. Joe Biden. Served 2009 – present. The colorful Biden became a valued confidant of Barack Obama after a long Senate career.

Note: If you can’t see the poll above, use this link: http://poll.fm/460nt