The vice president was initially chosen by selecting the candidate with the second highest number of votes.  Explain if you think that is a good or bad idea.

Selecting the vice president by choosing the candidate with the second highest number of votes has both advantages and disadvantages. Here's an analysis of both sides:

Advantages

1. Representation: This method could ensure that the vice president has significant support from the electorate, reflecting a broader consensus. The candidate with the second highest votes may represent a substantial portion of the population, which could lend legitimacy to the office.

2. Balanced Leadership: By selecting a vice president who is from a different faction or has differing views from the president, this approach might create a more balanced and representative leadership team. It encourages collaboration and may lead to more moderate policies that consider multiple viewpoints.

3. Historical Precedent: This system was used in early American elections, where the candidate with the second highest votes became vice president. It promotes the idea of a complementary team rather than one party dominating both major offices.

Disadvantages

1. Political Division: Choosing a vice president from a different faction (or party) could lead to significant conflicts and inefficiencies in governance. If the president and vice president have opposing views, it may hinder effective decision-making and create public disagreements that undermine the administration's cohesion.

2. Undermining the Electoral Process: This approach could potentially distort voter intentions. Voters might be less inclined to support their preferred candidate if they know that their second choice could end up in the vice presidency, possibly leading to strategic voting rather than genuine preference.

3. Lack of Accountability: In cases where the second-place candidate is not well-suited for the role of vice president, there might arise issues of competence or effectiveness. The vice president’s role in governance is significant, and a candidate who was not actively chosen for that role may not fulfill it effectively.

Conclusion

Overall, while the idea of selecting a vice president based on the second-highest vote total has some merits, particularly in terms of representation and balancing viewpoints, it also carries significant risks related to governance and political cohesion. Given the complexities of modern politics, it is generally more beneficial to have the president and vice president share similar goals and collaborate effectively, suggesting that the current system of direct selection for both offices might be a better approach.