Franklin Pierce's Vice President died in office before he reached Washington D.C. to serve. But his prior career had been one of a respected moderate Southerner willing to compromise. That didn't stop him from challenging Henry Clay to a duel once.  We discuss rumors and speculation that he may have been the first gay vice President, and how the US may have been robbed of a needed compromiser at the wrong time.

Years before Dick Cheney, a VP with his own politics and power base would emerge.  A brake to Taft's progressive tendencies and a token to conservative Old Guard Republicans, James Schoolcraft Sherman may have had more influence over the inexperienced and reluctant President Taft than has been widely known.  He helped pull the Taft Administration away from Rough Riderism.  And in one political battle he took on Ex-President Roosevelt himself, years before his boss would have to.  He's known in history for his optimism and changing the Electoral College records forever.  Music by Lee Rosevere and Chris Zabriskie

Henry Wallace was Vice President and wanted to stay Vice President.  But the bosses wanted Harry.  Even though, Harry didn't know he was up for the job.  And even though, no one knew who FDR truly wanted.  It's the story of the 1944 DNC Convention and the battle between two veeps.  Yes, at some point, it does involve an axe.  

This episode previously aired on My History Can Beat Up Your Politics. Music by Chris Novembrino.

Monroe's Vice President is known for maybe two things.  A park in the East Village of New York City, and that he was a drunk.  Yet, as we discuss with Tim Pearson, the author of Second Fiddle, The Strange, Sick, Silly Sad and Soused Men We Elected Vice President a book about Vice Presidents (highly recommended), there's much more to Daniel D. Tompkins than that.  He was also a democratic superstar who defeated older aristocrats, prepared New York's defense in the War of 1812, and ended slavery in New York. 

Music from Lee Rosevere in this episode and Chris Novembrino.  

Lyndon Johnson was a powerful man - a mover and shaker in Washington who had his own car phone.  He worked directly with the President of The United States, and many people thought he could be President next.  But then he took the job of VP under a junior senator John Kennedy.  Why?

To solve the mystery of why, we speak with Tom Oliphant of the Boston Globe and author of Road to Camelot, about JFK's rise to the Presidency (an interview that aired on My History Can Beat Up Your Politics in 2017).  

The only Vice President to resign the office voluntarily is a much more interesting character than just that fact.  From a local politico to second-highest office in the land in five years, Agnew took an important role as Nixon's Nixon, attacking the news media and the so called hippie culture of the sixties.  Opponents pushed back, and he doubled down.  But his resignation was due to his own actions, and to some degree, the President he served.  

As a Vice President serving under an obscure President, Wheeler is not a common name in history.  In fact, his own President Rutherford B. Hayes had to ask the question "Who is William Wheeler?" when his name was in consideration.  But as we discuss, perhaps he should be known more.  His frankness, disdain for corruption, and love of nature made him a unique and well-liked politician. 

We speak with Herb C. Hallas, author of William A. Wheeler, Political Star of the North Country on this episode.  And we enjoy music from Lee Rosevere and Chris Novembrino.  Remember to sign up for the podcast, and give us a review if you would.