As we creep (jeez, it seems we’ve been creeping a long time already) nearer and nearer to the 2008 Presidential election, Michael Barone touches on a subject to which I have never given much thought.

How We Pick Vice Presidents

Gerard Baker in the Times of London makes a point that I have made myself on occasion: The way we pick vice presidents is crazy. We spend lots of time and money and psychic energy on picking our presidents, with millions of people in one way or the other involved. But we let one man (or, quite possibly this time, one woman) select the vice presidential nominee. And this is considered by just about everyone as the way it should be. Yet, as Baker points out, vice presidents have a tremendous advantage when it comes to running for president. So the decision of Ronald Reagan at something like 3 in the morning in a Detroit hotel room to pick George H.W. Bush as his running mate leads directly to Bush’s election as president in 1988 and his son’s election as president in 2000 and 2004. Had Reagan picked someone else, it is extremely unlikely that either Bush would have been president.

I for one admire Mr. Barone’s work, but in this instance I must disagree.

Can anyone imagine given the political climate in this country today, us being subjected to almost two years of both Presidential and Vice Presidential candidates sniping at one another?
What does the nation do if these two candidates if elected independent of one another have “totally” opposite political philosophies?

Some might argue that would be good for the country, I see it as a recipe for disaster. Little is accomplished now when one party holds both the White House and Congress and even less when the Executive is represented by one and the Legislative another.

In addition, we might have to put the entire country on hold as all the Governors and members of Congress allow their egos to convince them they are the most qualified for the 2nd spot.

As for the ascension of the Vice President to the Presidency, those who have achieved this goal have done so throughout our history, whether it be through election or circumstances beyond their control. This is not a new phenomenon and in my opinion to alter the process at this time would do no more than create chaos.

Also, while I respect the right of Mr. Baker to pen this in the London Times:

Don’ t underestimate that pitcher of warm spit

US vice-presidents should be properly selected

I respectfully ask if rather than analyzing our election process, (and showing your obvious disdain for our sitting Vice President), perhaps you could explain to America why Winston Churchill has been expelled from the education which will produce the future leaders of Britain.

HT: Instapundit