Graduation Year
Spring 2012
Document Type
Open Access Senior Thesis
Degree Name
Bachelor of Arts
Department
Government
Reader 1
John J. Pitney, Jr.
Terms of Use & License Information
Rights Information
© 2012 Jake A. Petzold
Abstract
Over the course of American history, the vice presidency has evolved into a meaningful and influential part of the executive branch, and running mates have become an important part of presidential elections. But scholars, pundits, and political professionals continue to discuss and evaluate vice presidential selection in an outdated framework that now borders on superstition. Now that presidential nominees have sole authority to choose their running mates and the resources to take care in the process, voters demand that they do so. The modern presidential nominee should undertake a serious and methodical research and decision-making process, and should choose a running mate who 1) demonstrates unassailable competence, and 2) bolsters the ticket – not balances it – by extending presidential nominee’s narrative into uncovered territory.
Recommended Citation
Petzold, Jake A., "How to Pick a Running Mate: Rethinking the Vice Presidential Selection Process and Criteria" (2012). CMC Senior Theses. 457.
https://scholarship.claremont.edu/cmc_theses/457
