Worst Us Vice Presidents In American History

The role of the Vice President of the United States is often overlooked, but it can be a significant position in the country's government. While some Vice Presidents have gone on to become President themselves, others have been relegated to the shadows of history. In this article, we will explore some of the worst Vice Presidents in American history.

John Nance Garner (1933-1941)

John Nance Garner, also known as "Cactus Jack," was Vice President under Franklin D. Roosevelt. He was a conservative Democrat who often clashed with the more liberal Roosevelt. Garner was a heavy drinker and smoker, and his behavior was often seen as unbecoming of a Vice President. He was also known for his lack of interest in policy, which made him ineffective in his role.

Garner's Lack of Involvement

Garner's lack of involvement in policy was evident in his limited attendance at cabinet meetings. He was often absent from important discussions, and when he did attend, he rarely contributed to the conversation. This lack of engagement made it difficult for him to build relationships with other members of the administration, which further limited his influence.

Henry Wilson (1873-1875)

Henry Wilson was Vice President under Ulysses S. Grant. He was a Radical Republican who was known for his strong abolitionist views. However, his time in office was marked by controversy, including allegations of corruption and a scandal involving the use of government funds for personal gain.

Wilson's Corruption Scandal

Wilson's corruption scandal involved the use of government funds to pay for personal expenses, including a lavish lifestyle and a mistress. The scandal led to a Congressional investigation, which ultimately cleared Wilson of any wrongdoing. However, the scandal damaged his reputation and limited his effectiveness as Vice President.

Elbridge Gerry (1813-1814)

Elbridge Gerry was Vice President under James Madison. He was a Democratic-Republican who was known for his strong Federalist views. However, his time in office was marked by poor health, which limited his ability to fulfill his duties.

Gerry's Health Issues

Gerry's health issues began shortly after he took office. He suffered from a series of strokes, which left him unable to speak or move. He was eventually forced to resign from office, becoming the first Vice President to do so.

Charles Fairbanks (1905-1909)

Charles Fairbanks was Vice President under Theodore Roosevelt. He was a Republican who was known for his conservative views. However, his time in office was marked by a lack of involvement in policy, which made him ineffective in his role.

Fairbanks' Lack of Involvement

Fairbanks' lack of involvement in policy was evident in his limited attendance at cabinet meetings. He was often absent from important discussions, and when he did attend, he rarely contributed to the conversation. This lack of engagement made it difficult for him to build relationships with other members of the administration, which further limited his influence.

Andrew Johnson (1865)

Andrew Johnson was Vice President under Abraham Lincoln. He was a Democrat who was known for his strong support of the Union. However, his time in office was marked by controversy, including allegations of drunkenness and a lack of cooperation with the Republican-controlled Congress.

Johnson's Drunkenness

Johnson's drunkenness was a major issue during his time in office. He was known to drink heavily, which often affected his behavior. This behavior was seen as unbecoming of a Vice President, and it damaged his reputation.

Charles Curtis (1929-1933)

Charles Curtis was Vice President under Herbert Hoover. He was a Republican who was known for his conservative views. However, his time in office was marked by a lack of involvement in policy, which made him ineffective in his role.

Curtis' Lack of Involvement

Curtis' lack of involvement in policy was evident in his limited attendance at cabinet meetings. He was often absent from important discussions, and when he did attend, he rarely contributed to the conversation. This lack of engagement made it difficult for him to build relationships with other members of the administration, which further limited his influence.

Dan Quayle (1989-1993)

Dan Quayle was Vice President under George H.W. Bush. He was a Republican who was known for his conservative views. However, his time in office was marked by controversy, including allegations of lack of intelligence and a series of embarrassing gaffes.

Quayle's Gaffes

Quayle's gaffes were a major issue during his time in office. He was known for making embarrassing mistakes, including misspelling the word "potato" during a speech. This lack of attention to detail damaged his reputation and limited his effectiveness as Vice President.

Gallery of Worst US Vice Presidents

Worst US Vice Presidents Image Gallery

We hope this article has provided you with a comprehensive look at some of the worst Vice Presidents in American history. While these individuals may have had their moments, their overall performance was lacking, and they failed to make a positive impact on the country.

If you have any thoughts or opinions on this topic, we encourage you to share them with us in the comments section below.