The Vice Presidency Must Go Founding fathers created institution in very different context By Drew Nelles Posted Oct 2, 2008 4:57 PM CDT Copied Republican presidential candidate Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., accompanied by his running mate, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, speaks at a rally in Columbus, Ohio, Monday, Sept. 29, 2008. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert) Few countries have vice presidents, and the US shouldn’t either, Bruce Ackerman writes in the LA Times. The founding fathers established the office as a consolation prize, the Yale law and political science professor explains, and it's morphed into a ticket-balancing slot. "This isn't a question on which the founders deserve any deference," he writes. "They designed their system for a very different political world." McKinley's and Lincoln's VPs turned out to be the political opposites of their assassinated bosses. To take a more relevant example, "John McCain's surprising choice should lead us to think again,” Ackerman writes. "We should designate the secretary of state to be in charge until a special election can be held to replace a president." Read These Next Melinda French Gates reacts to her ex showing up in new Epstein files. Sarah Ferguson said she cut off Epstein. Not quite, emails show. Turning Point reveals lineup for its alternative halftime show. The voice behind 'Joy to the World' has died at 83. Report an error