HAIL TO THE VEEP!

 My wife and I recently purchased a subscription to Britbox, a streaming service dedicated to “everything British” that our older cousins across the pond watch or have watched on their television programming. We are particularly interested in Brit crimes and mystery shows. Their shows in this genre are understated and cerebral. In addition, I like their political fiction like original House of Cards. I also found Yes. Minister for my viewing pleasure.

Yes, Minister is a quirky comedic satire on the British parliamentary form of government. It shows that the civil service (their bureaucracy) really runs the government, not their political masters- the cabinet ministers. So, while civil servants may say “Yes, Minister” but in reality, at least from the show’s perspective they will do their own thing. An equivalent American television series would be Veep; “Veep” is the nickname we give to our vice presidents.

I think when the Founders were writing our Constitution, they created the position solely for continuity of government when the president died or was removed from office, Added to that responsibility was the job of President of the Senate who could vote only when there was a tie vote among the senators. Inevitably the position became an afterthought because the vice president had no independent power base or constituency, and prospective vice presidents were often selected for geographical balance with the presidential candidate than for competence or even readiness to become president if need be. In fact, one vice president stated that his job was not worth than a bucket of warm spit!

Let’s look at some of our vice presidents-

·       Only 4- J. Adams, Jefferson. Van Buren, and GHW Bush- were elected president directly after serving as vice president

·       Only 2- Nixon and Biden- were elected president 4 or more years after serving as vice president

·       1 vice president- Burr- was tried for treason and acquitted, then resigned

·       2 vice presidents- Tyler and Breckinridge- committed treason against the US

Which leads us to our current vice president- Kamala Harris. President Biden stated only two qualifications for his vice president- 1) a woman and 2) of color. She certainly meets those qualifications, but it seems that after 17 months in office she is utterly lacking in others-

1.     While Harris is a tall attractive and elegant person she has a nervous laugh- described as a crackle- when she is asked tough questions for which she has no coherent answers.

2.     She seems unprepared for the obvious tough questions she will be asked.

3.     In talking about complex topics (time, space, war, etc.) Harris talks “down” to people like they are six-year-old children.

4.     Harris creates a hostile work environment. She has lost on average of one staff member per month from her office.

5.     She seems unenthusiastic and “over her head” in carrying out special assignments from the president.

6.     Harris complains so much that it has turned into whining.

I sense that at least part of her problem stems from the fact that she is a product of California politics. For the past several decades California has become essentially a one-party state dominated by progressive Democrats. Rising from District Attorney in San Francisco to State Attorney General to US Senator before becoming US Vice President Harris has not strong electoral ordeals. Remember- she dropped out of the 2021 presidential campaign before the Democratic debates concluded without a single committed delegate (if I remember correctly).

If Harris asked me to be a consultant to her, I would advise the following-

·       Prepare, prepare, prepare.

·       Work on your speech habits (Margaret Thatcher did to great success.).

·       Hire a strong and personable chief of staff you would trust with your political life.

·       Talk with your staff members- do not blame them if you are at fault and praise them for success.

·       Gain expertise in 2- 3 areas so the president would naturally turn to you for counsel for counsel,

Being vice president is a thankless job. Do it right, almost no one notices. Do it wrong, everyone notices and complains. Vice President Harris- you asked for the job. Now, go out and do it right.