The practice of selecting the vice president as the candidate with the second highest number of votes, as it was done in the early years of the United States, has both advantages and disadvantages.
Advantages:
- Bipartisan Representation: This method could promote a form of bipartisan representation. If the president and vice president came from different political backgrounds, it might encourage cooperation and appeal to a broader section of the electorate.
- Voter Choice Reflection: It reflects the voters' preferences more directly, as the vice president is someone whom a significant portion of the electorate also supported.
- Support for a Strong Rival: The system could bring a strong political rival into the executive branch, which could lead to a more robust and dynamic administration.
Disadvantages:
- Political Instability: A president and vice president from opposing parties might lead to significant conflict within the executive branch, undermining governance and decision-making.
- Lack of Cohesion: Having leaders from different parties may create a lack of coherence in policy-making and could lead to gridlock in implementing the administration's agenda.
- Change in Political Dynamics: With the emergence of political parties, this system quickly became less practical. It may not accurately reflect the electorate's preferences as party loyalty often supersedes other considerations.
Conclusion:
While the initial method for selecting a vice president promoted a broader representation, it also had significant drawbacks that became evident with the evolution of the political landscape. The current system of running mates, where the presidential candidate selects a vice presidential candidate to run on a unified ticket, allows for greater collaboration and a cohesive administration. Overall, while the original method had good intentions, it is not well-suited for modern electoral politics.