A DEAD END JOB: MADISON'S VICE PRESIDENTS
Gerry came closer to being President than he realized. During 1813, Madison became seriously ill and, for a short while, his life seemed threatened. But Madison recovered and Gerry died of a stroke in 1814, after a short and inconsequential term as Vice President.
Before the 12th Amendment, the Vice President had been a leading political power. After the 12th Amendment, the presidential nominee wanted someone who could deliver a state or region other than his own (see the earlier article on ticket balancing), an older man at the end of his career who would not be a threat to the President’s leadership position. In short, after the 12th Amendment, the Vice Presidency became a position for elderly mediocre politicians whose main ability was usually availability.
Madison had two such men who opposed him anyway. He outlasted and outlived them both.
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