Vice President Al Gore in Chicago, Ill, 1996 (© Tim Boyle/AP)

Bill Clinton's vice president, Al Gore, soaks in the sweet sounds of a church choir in Chicago. At least we think he's paying attention.

Vice President George H.W. Bush & Barbara Bush on Air Force II during the 1984 Presidential Campaign (Courtesy Everett Collection/Rex)

Ronald Reagan's vice president, George H.W. Bush, and wife Barbara napping on Air Force Two.

Vice President Dan Quayle, in Port Douglas, Australia, 1989 (© Stephen Holland/AP

President George H.W.Bush's vice president, Dan Quayle, working on his tennis game in Australia.

Designated Vice President Gerald Ford in Alexandria, Va., 1973 (AP Photo)

One of Richard Nixon's vice presidents, Gerald Ford, was an avid swimmer and installed an outdoor swimming pool at the White House when he was later president.

Vice President Dick Cheney in Salt Lake City, Utah 2004 (© Douglas C. Pizac/AP)

George W. Bush's vice president, Dick Cheney, gets a Utah Jazz jersey.

Vice President Al Gore & Camari Ferguson start the 5K Race for the Cure in Seattle, Wash., 1998 (© Jeff T. Green/AP)

Al Gore liked to run. Here he is at the start of the 5K race in Seattle.

Vice President Joe Biden in Whistler, British Columbia, Canada, 2010 (© Elaine Thompson/AP)

Barack Obama's vice president, Joe Biden, gets pumped watching ski jumping at the 2010 Winter Olympics.

Vice President Dan Quayle at Ft. Clayton, Panama, 1990 (© Jeff Robbins/AP)

Dan Quayle tossed a football to a soldier stationed in Panama before the Super Bowl.

Vice President Gerald Ford with his ski instructor Dennis Hoeger, 1974 (© AP)

Gerald Ford hitting the slopes with his instructor in Vail, Colo.

Vice president Dick Cheney in Washington, D.C. 2006 (© Nick Wass /AP)

Dick Cheney throwing the first pitch at a Washington Nationals game.

Vice President Joe Biden in Manchester, N.H., 2011 (© Elise Amendola/AP)

Joe Biden flashes his pearly whites before autographing a baseball.

Gerald Ford after being sworn in as Vice President in Washington, D.C., 1973 (© AP)

Gerald Ford kissing his wife, Betty, after he was sworn into office.

Vice President Joe Biden (from left) & New York Yankees’Mariano Rivera in Tampa, Fla., 2011 (© Kathy Willens/AP)

Joe Biden jokes with New York Yankees relief pitcher Mariano Rivera.

Dan Quayle limbering up before a round of golf in Australia.

President Barack Obama makes remarks at the Jobs & Economic Growth Forum with Vice President Joe Biden in Washington, D.C., 2009 (© Jim Young/AP)

Joe Biden wishing President Obama would wrap things up already.

Vice President Al Gore in Manchester, N.H., 1998 (© Andrew Sullivan/AP)

Al Gore showing off his ball-spinning skills to a group of students.

Vice President Dick Cheney at the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Awards in Washington, D.C., 2006 (© Jim Young/AP)

Dick Cheney at rest. Would this now be called “pulling an Eastwood?”

George H. Bush in the Florida Everglades, 1989 (© David Valdez/White House/AP)

George H.W. Bush looking stylish while reeling in a catch.

President Barack Obama & Vice President Joe Biden in Washington, D.C., 2009 (© Jason Reed/Reuters)

Joe Biden, aware of his responsibilities as "a heartbeat away from the presidency," channels President Obama.

19 photos of vice presidents 'working'

10/11/2012

As current officeholder Joe Biden and V.P.-hopeful Paul Ryan prepare to debate tonight, the knock on the job of vice president is that it’s one of the most (choose one) — thankless, redundant, useless, loneliest — gigs in American politics. You’re one step away from the highest office in the land, but in reality, you have no real power or defined role, besides breaking a tie in the Senate and sometimes being sexy. Ask the average citizen, and they’ll be hard-pressed to say just what the veep does. Most of the time, like a small-town beauty queen, the position seems to be mostly ceremonial — throw out a first pitch, show up at a state fair, congratulate a kid on winning a spelling bee. Above are our favorite images of vice presidents “on the job.”

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