Most vice president simply supported the administration and voted, (when necessary) in the senate, useful as a warm bucket of spit, unless the president was incapacitated or died. It was always hoped, they would learn from the job, like OJT and who knows, maybe have qualifications and experience to land the job, later. Unless, they help start a war, like Cheney, they were easily ignored.
I saw proof of growth in Harris tonight, unexpected, really. I never gave a crap about her as his running mate. I was voting for Joe, as Joe was better than Trump. But, but I am dead serious about a second in command, or an Executive Officer, or a Vice President supporting the legal, official policies of a command or office, both to all staff and the public, as the represent the Commander, whereever they go. And it is an easy thing, something you just decide to do, as you are obligate to do it, if accepting that position. In the beginning, she didn't get it. It became glaringly apparent when she was being interview, early on, when a reporter wanted her thoughts about troubles and attacks on Joe and his administration, caused by his open borders blunder on day 2. Without thinking, without remembering the position she held, without self-control, or her duty to Joe, she laughed out loud, that full bodied cackle she became know for, and people knew what she really thought, it being something to laugh about. Big blunder for a Vice President. I wrote her off, then, even writing of the unacceptable blunder, right here on this board, at the time. But, what did Joe do? He gave her training. Joe knows, the Commander is responsible, always. That is just the way it is. But still, he publicly (supposedly) put her in charge of the border, said he had faith in her to take charge and address the problems. Mind you, he was still responsible, still in charge, still calling the shots, and she really had no authority, except to take some of the punishment from the press and the political enemies of the Biden administration. Nothing to laugh at. Good lesson, still stinging her to this day in her quest for the presidency, as she made no difference, not having power or authority to change executive policy. But she learned. She learned better than I thought.
Throughout the time, after Joe totally blew the Trump debate, she never threw Joe under the bus publicly in front of the press, on mental ability or aging. She refused to do it, tonight. Border policy? She steadfastly refused to rebuke or distance from Joe's immigration policy, even though it might cost her, and she is abused about it, everyday, by politicos, political enemies, even nabobs right her on this board, but at this moment, even in this campaign she is the Vice President, chosen and elevated by Joseph Robinette Biden, and she refused to denigrate or rebuke his policies, any policies, as we have seen on interviews, even supposedly friendly ones in the past week or two.
Hmmm. Character and strength. How about that? My two most important traits for a leader, that I have written of here, and at Command and General Staff School. And, with the training of Joe, and the job, the position, the inner workings of that office, that level. She will be fine. I am glad I voted for her today, not just as voting against the unfitness of Trump, but for the fitness of her, in that office.
