Future of the vice presidency

Veep
Veep
HBO

From Al Gore to Dick Cheney to Joe Biden, the vice presidency of modern history has become an increasingly influential position.

Gone have been the days of a useless position scorned by both partners in most prestigious political union.

Minnesota's own Hubert Humphrey said of his days as veep, "You are his choice in a political marriage, and he expects your absolute loyalty." Even Julia Louis-Dreyfus' character in HBO's "Veep" took the heat from online haters referring to her as "The Wicked Witch of the West Wing," "Veep Throat" and "Tawdry Hepburn." But with the prospects of either playing second fiddle to a powerful "first husband" hanging around the Oval Office or becoming the marginalized yes-man (or woman) to a larger-than-life reality television star, why would anyone want the job.

Author and political analyst Jeff Greenfield and Joel Goldstein, professor of law at Saint Louis University, about the office of the vice presidency and what the future holds for its occupants.

Create a More Connected Minnesota

MPR News is your trusted resource for the news you need. With your support, MPR News brings accessible, courageous journalism and authentic conversation to everyone - free of paywalls and barriers. Your gift makes a difference.