MAY 2 LIST OF VICE PRESIDENTS WHO TOOK OVER MIDTERM

MAY 2  LIST OF VICE PRESIDENTS WHO TOOK OVER MIDTERM

Earlier this week, presumed Democratic Party nominee Joe Biden presented his new Vice-President Selection Committee. Don't laugh: This group could very well shape US History. At 77 years old, Biden would be the oldest US President ever. It's entirely conceivable that Joe will not complete his term. Knowing this, they'll choose the most capable person, right? Wrong. They'll select someone who can get Joe elected in November. Let's examine the ten VP's who took over mid-term and you'll see this repeating trend:

THE WORST: Andrew Johnson. Not mentioned in many history books is how insanely unpopular Lincoln was during his presidency. Although the Union eventually won, his first two years were grim. Over 30,000 Union soldiers had died...yet the Mason/Dixon still held. To gain popularity nationwide for his re-election, he made a bold move. Lincoln dumped New Yorker Hannibal Hamlin and ran with Tennessee Governor Andrew Johnson instead. Everyone knows what happened next. When suddenly thrust into the Oval Office, Johnson proved to be the wrong man to heal our nation. His questionable policies towards re-admitting the Confederate States netted himself America's first impeachment trial.

THE DO-NOTHINGS: Fillmore, Arthur, Coolidge. Each time, these VP's were chosen to balance the ticket for election day...Not for their leadership. New Yorker Millard Fillmore was needed to balance Zachary Taylor's Louisiana slaveholder image. It happened again in 1880, when cosmopolitan Chester A. Arthur was needed to offset the Midwest farmer Garfield. Governor Calvin Coolidge was popular in Boston, where Ohio governor Harding was not. What happened when forced to take over? Not much. Fillmore failed to add Cuba. Arthur slept while Robber Barons took over. Finally, "Silent" Cal's nickname says it all.

THE BUMBLERS: John Tyler, Gerald Ford. Tyler became US President after the death of William Henry Harrison. It was the first time this had happened in American History. Unsure of how to treat the first chief-of-staff who wasn't actually elected, the press nicknamed Tyler "The Accidental President." Gerald Ford had the added distinction of being the only president who wasn't even on the ballot. Both men stumbled through many speeches and press conferences.

THE WINNERS: Teddy Roosevelt, Truman, LBJ. Not surprisngly, when the above seven men finished their terms, none were re-elected. There are the three midterm VP's who succeeded. When eccentric showman Roosevelt was paired with popular incumbent Bill McKinley, the press warned that Crazy Ted was "one heartbeat away" from leading our nation. They were correct, but he proved to be a great leader. Missourian Harry Truman and Texan Lyndon Johnson were also chosen to balance tickets, yet they too became worthy presidents.