As U.S. Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris gears up for what will likely be a close race in November's election, many expect her to bring foreign policy continuity to the White House if elected — particularly on issues such as the wars in Gaza and Ukraine and Washington's rivalry with Beijing.
Harris’ announcement Tuesday of Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz as her vice presidential pick also highlighted this sense of continuity and like-mindedness, with her newly minted running mate bringing to the table a strong background on China issues as well as a number of foreign policy stances that line up with her own and those of current President Joe Biden.
While the vice presidency has been a chance to gain valuable experience in the foreign policy arena for some, it has for others been a position to show off their already refined policy chops.
When it comes to Walz, it’s unclear how much he would help shape the policies of any Harris administration. Experts caution against inferring any particular foreign or defense policy implications, given that the vice president has no formal power or official duties related to these.
So, what's the role of the U.S. vice president?
A full partner of the executive
For most of U.S. history, the vice presidency was seen as an office of little power or prestige.
There were good reasons for this. Under the Constitution, vice presidents don’t hold much power unless the president dies, resigns, is removed or disabled. Normally their chief responsibilities include presiding over the Senate — voting only to break a tie — and overseeing the counting of the Electoral College.
Much of their recent political influence is largely due to the changes brought about in the late 1970s by then-President Jimmy Carter and his vice president, Walter Mondale. Carter agreed early on to make the vice president a full partner in the administration, granting him privileges such as an office in the White House’s West Wing, unfettered access to intelligence briefings and making him one of his top envoys and advisers — a trend that has largely continued into the present day.
Despite this, a vice president’s ability to shape policy remains at the president’s discretion.
“Vice presidents do not have a formal policy role, but are often given areas to help oversee based upon their expertise and knowledge set,” said Shannon Bow O'Brien, an associate professor at The University of Texas at Austin.
Presidents have frequently tapped vice presidents to serve in diplomatic capacities, meeting and negotiating with world leaders as administration representatives.
“At the same time, vice presidents are often considered important to help balance a ticket,” O’Brien said. “They are perceived to lend expertise in areas where a president may be not as well-versed, and can also be used to help draw voters who otherwise may be hesitant.”
Skills to support the president
Presidents Ronald Reagan, George W. Bush and Barack Obama all had little foreign policy experience, and selected running mates with considerably more know-how, said Jon Rogowski, a professor at The University of Chicago.
Consequently, their respective vice presidents — George H.W. Bush, Dick Cheney and Biden — were significantly involved in foreign and defense policy discussions during their time in office.
“The bottom line is that few presidents have significant foreign policy experience before they are elected, and vice presidents are now viewed as a potential addition to an administration regarding various areas of policy expertise,” said Lori Cox Han, a political science professor and Chair of American Presidential Studies at Chapman University.
For instance, Biden had previously chaired the Senate Foreign Relations committee, experience that Obama valued when selecting him as running mate, while Cheney had served in two previous administrations — George H.W. Bush and Gerald Ford’s — in addition to serving in the House of Representatives.
“Vice presidents who handle their assignments effectively tend to receive other challenging assignments,” said Joel Goldstein, an expert on the office of the vice presidency and a law professor at Saint Louis University.
But it would probably be a mistake to view vice presidents as having much independent influence over foreign policy, Rogowski said, adding that they should generally be regarded as presidential emissaries rather than executive decision makers.
Still, there have been examples of vice presidents on both ends of the spectrum.
On the one end there was Cheney, who is widely seen as having wielded tremendous influence on foreign and defense policy during the George W. Bush presidency, particularly following the Sept. 11 attacks.
“Many would argue that Cheney had too much influence during the Bush presidency, especially during the first term,” Cox Han said.
“The historical record is not yet complete on how much influence he actually had over decisions, though at the time it seemed quite significant, especially over the decision to invade Iraq in 2003,” she added.
On the other end there was Dan Quayle, George H.W. Bush's vice president, who visited about 47 countries during his term, mostly for ceremonial purposes, and had “little to no impact on policy,” O’Brien said.
Harris’ foreign policy influence as VP?
It is often difficult to assess the full extent of a vice president's influence during their term because much of what they do is confidential or not visible to the public. This includes advising the president and carrying out confidential missions.
In Harris’ case, she is known to have played an important role in the release of Americans and other Russia-held prisoners earlier this month, but this was only revealed after the release occurred, Goldstein said.
Other foreign policy assignments have included multiple trips abroad, including to the strategically important Indo-Pacific region, as well as high-level engagements with European allies, all of which suggests “she has been very involved,” Goldstein said.
The main question now is whether these experiences would shape Harris’ relationship with Walz should they be elected. Her time as vice president could provide her with an outline for approaching her own administration — and the role her No. 2 would play.
“She has had the benefit of working closely with President Biden, an experienced and very able practitioner of foreign and defense policy, and she has also gotten invaluable experience through her foreign travels,” Goldstein said, adding that he would expect a President Harris to “actively” utilize her vice president in foreign and defense policy, particularly as she has no personal military experience.
Walz, who was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2006 and served 12 years before being elected Minnesota governor in 2018 and again in 2022, will be ready to hit the ground running.
During his time as a congressman, the 24-year National Guard veteran served on the House Armed Services and Veterans’ Affairs committees, while also cosponsoring legislation condemning China’s crackdown on Hong Kong’s pro-democracy movement and other resolutions singling Beijing out for alleged human rights abuses.
He was also appointed to the human rights-focused Congressional-Executive Commission on China in 2007, serving for 11 years.
As Minnesota governor, Walz also made trade and investment-focused trips to Japan in 2019 and 2023, leading large business delegations.
On the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza, likely to be another top foreign policy issue for a possible Harris administration, Walz has expressed support for a two-state solution between Israelis and Palestinians while also backing Tel Aviv’s right to self-defense following the deadly Oct. 7 attacks.
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