Understanding the Eligibility of Joe Biden as Vice President

The question of whether Joe Biden can serve again as Vice President is an interesting one, especially considering his recent political career. However, the answer is more complex than it might initially appear, and it involves a careful examination of the United States Constitution and the specific terms that govern the office of Vice President.

Eligibility for Vice Presidency

First, it is important to clarify that being a Vice President is not something one can directly run for. Instead, the process begins when a candidate who is running for President selects a running mate, typically known as the Vice Presidential nominee. The selection is made during the Democratic or Republican nominee conventions. This means that Joe Biden, if he were to run for Vice President in the future, would need to be chosen by the person running for President, not by a direct election.

Current Situation

As of the writing of this article, Joe Biden is eligible to run for the office of Vice President if he were to be endorsed by a different presidential candidate. It should be noted, however, that if Biden is running for President in this upcoming election and wins, he would no longer be eligible to run for Vice President after completing his second term as President.

Constitutional Limits

The Twelfth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution stipulates that a person who served as President for more than two years of another’s term cannot be elected as President. If a vice president has completed at least two years of a full term of their predecessor, they cannot become President. This implies that a two-term President cannot serve as Vice President due to the constitutional ineligibility.

Historical Precedents

Joe Biden, having served as Vice President during Barack Obama’s two terms, means that he cannot run again as Vice President if he were to run for President in this election. However, the President who chooses the Vice President has the freedom to select anyone they see fit, regardless of previous roles.

Theoretical Possibilities

Theoretically, a one-term President who did not serve more than two years of a previous President's term could serve as Vice President indefinitely, as long as their party's candidates continue to win elections. It is speculated that Jerry Ford, for example, was considered for running mate for Ronald Reagan in 1980, despite his previous Vice Presidency.

Conclusion

In summary, Joe Biden is currently eligible to run for Vice President if he were to be selected by another presidential candidate. However, if he runs for President in this upcoming election, he would lose his eligibility to run for Vice President after his second term. The process of becoming a Vice President involves the selection by the presidential candidate, and not an independent election. The Constitution and historical precedents suggest that while there are no term limits for the Vice Presidency, practical limitations apply based on previous presidential service. Thus, the return of Joe Biden to the office of Vice President is a hypothetical scenario that remains subject to the decisions of his party and their nominated presidential candidate.