The “veepstakes” is the process and speculation surrounding the selection of a vice presidential candidate during a presidential election cycle.
The veepstakes begins once a presidential candidate has secured their party’s nomination, but before they have announced their running mate.
This period is characterized by intense speculation, analysis, and strategic maneuvering, as the presidential candidate and their team consider potential vice presidential picks.
Origin of “Veepstakes”
The term is a portmanteau of “veep,” a shorthand for vice president, and “stakes,” indicating the high importance and competitive nature of this selection process.
The selection is a strategic decision, often aimed at balancing the ticket, appealing to a broader range of voters, or addressing perceived weaknesses of the presidential candidate.
The veepstakes involves a careful vetting process, where potential candidates are scrutinized for their political records, personal backgrounds, and potential controversies that could affect the campaign.
This process is typically conducted in secret, with the final decision announced in a high-profile event or media release.
The selection can significantly impact the dynamics of the election, influencing voter perceptions and potentially swaying the outcome of the race.
Media and the “Veepstakes”
The term “veepstakes” also encapsulates the media and public speculation that accompanies this process.
Pundits, journalists, and citizens alike engage in predicting potential running mates, analyzing the potential impact of different choices, and discussing the strategic implications of the selection.
This speculation often focuses on factors such as geographic balance (selecting a running mate from a different region of the country), demographic considerations (such as gender, race, or ethnicity), and ideological balance (selecting a running mate who can appeal to a different segment of the party or electorate).
The veepstakes is a critical part of the U.S. presidential election process, as the vice president can play a significant role in an administration, and is next in line for the presidency.
Use of “Veepstakes” in a sentence
- As the Democratic primary concluded, the veepstakes began in earnest, with pundits speculating about who the nominee would choose to balance the ticket and appeal to a wider range of voters.
- The veepstakes is often seen as a strategic game, where the presidential candidate must weigh the potential benefits and drawbacks of each potential running mate, considering factors such as their political experience, geographic location, and demographic appeal.
- Amid the veepstakes, rumors swirled that the candidate was considering a prominent senator from the Midwest, a choice that could potentially sway undecided voters in that region.
Taegan Goddard is the creator of the Political Dictionary.
He is also the founder of many popular political websites, including Political Wire, Political Job Hunt and the Electoral Vote Map.
Goddard spent more than a decade on Wall Street as managing director and chief operating officer of a prominent investment firm in New York City. Previously, he also served as a policy adviser to a U.S. Senator and Governor.
Goddard is also co-author of You Won – Now What?: How Americans Can Make Democracy Work from City Hall to the White House, a political management book hailed by prominent journalists and politicians from both parties.
His essays on politics and public policy have appeared in dozens of newspapers and magazines across the country.
Goddard earned degrees from Vassar College and Harvard University.
He lives in New York with his wife and three sons.