I was perusing Youtube this evening looking for clips of previous Presidential and Vice-Presidential debates. Most everyone here knows about the infamous putdown of Dan Quayle by Lloyd Bentsen.
What I found was something a little less talked about.
Watch George Bush defend his choice of Senator Dan Quayle for VP:
I hope Obama has seen this. We all expect this question to be raised in the upcoming Obama/McCain debates.
On another note, last week before Sarah Palin was selected, I happened to watch an old film from 1962 called Advise and Consent starring Henry Fonda and a large ensemble cast. The film is extremely prescient regarding the role of the Vice President. The basic plot of the film revolves around an ailing President who appoints a controversial nominee for Secretary of State. This nominee, played by Fonda, must be confirmed by the Senate. The Majority Leader of the President's party is in favor of the nominee but faces opposition from a prominent member of his party towards the nomination. A heated confirmation hearing ensues and a few subplots are explored. One of which involves the Vice President who, since he is given little to do by the President, quietly fulfills his role a President of the Senate. At the end of the film, a floor vote on the confirmation occurs but the Senate ends up tied at 47-47. The Vice President must cast the deciding vote. Before he is able to do so, he is informed that the President has died and he surprises the chamber by voting against the nomination. He tells the astonished Majority Leader that, as President, he will choose his own nominee.
Sorry for the spoilers but whether you get a chance to see the film or not, you may have a renewed understanding and respect for the office of Vice President.