{"product_id":"9781588344724","title":"The American Vice Presidency: From Irrelevance to Power","description":"\u003ci\u003eThe American Vice Presidency\u003c\/i\u003e is an  all-inclusive examination of the vice presidency throughout American  history. Acclaimed political journalist and author Jules Witcover  chronicles each of the 47 vice presidents, including their personal  biographies and their achievements--or lack thereof--during their vice  presidential tenures. He explores how the roles and responsibilities  were first subject to the whims of the presidents under whom they  served, but came in time to be expanded by enlightened chief executives  and the initiatives of the vice presidents themselves. Constitutionally  assigned only to preside over the Senate as they stand by to fill a  presidential vacancy, early vice presidents were left to languish in  irrelevance and ineffectiveness; only in recent decades have vice  presidents received--or taken--more power. In particular, Walter  Mondale, Al Gore, Dick Cheney, and Joe Biden have undertaken greater and  more significant responsibilities. Witcover reports the political  maneuvering and manipulation that transformed the vice presidency from  mere consolation prize to de facto assistant presidency. \u003ci\u003eThe American Vice Presidency\u003c\/i\u003e, an insightful, revealing look at this oft-dismissed office, is a must-have for lovers of behind-the-scenes political history.","brand":"Smithsonian Institution Press","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47138078163184,"sku":"9781588344724","price":21.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0737\/7593\/9824\/files\/9781588344724_p0.jpg?v=1763800744","url":"https:\/\/shop-qa.barnesandnoble.com\/products\/9781588344724","provider":"Barnes \u0026 Noble (DEV)","version":"1.0","type":"link"}