While serving as our nation’s first vice president under George Washington, John Adams complained, “But my Country has in its Wisdom contrived for me, the most insignificant Office that ever the Invention of Man contrived or his Imagination conceived.” Although it would be difficult not to be eclipsed by the Father of Our Country, he was hardly the only VP to lament his apparent lack of consequence.
However, of the 49 people who have held Mr. Adams’ position, 15 have gone on to become President of the United States — as did Adams himself — including eight who ascended to the office due to the deaths of sitting Presidents. Which means that our new VP come January theoretically has a one-in-three chance of ending up in the White House. As such, what is often painted as a merely ceremonial position can be very significant indeed.
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