Vice Presidential Debate: October 11, 2012

Sonnet Ireland
Head of Federal Documents
Reference & Instruction Librarian
Subject Specialist: Legal Research
Planning and Urban Studies
Political Science

February 8, 1837: Richard Johnson becomes the first VPOTUS chosen by the U.S. Senate

Today is the 175th anniversary of Richard Johnson becoming the ninth Vice President of the U.S. This is an important anniversary because it marks the first and only time the U.S. Senate chose a VP. In the early years of this nation, the president and vice president were elected separately, and each required a certain number of electoral votes. With 147 votes, Richard Johnson was one vote shy and thus not elected to the office. Since Martin Van Buren could not serve without a vice president, the Senate, using the 12 Amendment, elected Johnson as vice president.

For more information, check out these resources...

Richard Mentor Johnson, 9th Vice President, U.S. Senate Art and History

Richard Mentor Johnson, Biographical Directory of the U.S. Congress

Electoral Votes for President and Vice President 1837-1853, NARA

The Electoral College by William C. Kimberling, Deputy Director, FEC Office of Election Administration



Sonnet Ireland
Head of Federal Documents
Reference & Instruction Librarian
Subject Specialist: Legal Research, Political Science
Urban and Transportation Studies, Engineering

President Obama's Weekly Address (5/28/2011)

Sonnet Ireland
Head of Federal Documents
Reference & Instruction Librarian
Subject Specialist: Legal Research, Political Science
Urban Studies, Engineering

Meet the Press with Vice President Joe Biden (2/14/2010)

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Sonnet Erin Brown
Head of Federal Documents
Reference & Instruction Librarian
Subject Specialist: Legal Research, Political Science
Earth & Environmental Sciences, Engineering

Face the Nation with Vice President Joe Biden (2/14/2010)

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Sonnet Erin Brown
Head of Federal Documents
Reference & Instruction Librarian
Subject Specialist: Legal Research, Political Science
Earth & Environmental Sciences, Engineering

Meet the Press with V.P. Joe Biden (6/14/2009)

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Sonnet Erin Brown
Head of Federal Documents
Reference & Instruction Librarian
Subject Specialist: Legal Research, Political Science
Earth & Environmental Sciences, Philosophy

Face the Nation with Former Vice President Dick Cheney (5/10/2009)

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Sonnet Erin Brown
Federal Documents Librarian
Subject Specialist: Legal Research/Political Science