Abstract

The article is a tentative analysis of Joe Biden activities as the vice president of the United States in the first 500 days of Barack Obama administration. Looking from institutional and political perspectives, Author argues that Biden's main duties are related with relations of the White House and the U.S. Congress, with simultaneous active role in the field of foreign policy. Basing on his longtime experience in the Senate, Biden is also valuable advisor on issues related with both domestic and foreign policy. In addition, as former member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, Vice President Biden is reliable source of opinion in the field of Supreme Court nominations. Comparing Joe Biden's fields of interest as vice president with his predecessors, Author argues that of three models created by Biden's predecessors after 1976, the year when new method of selection process was established and was crucial in transforming the institution of American vice presidency, Vice President Biden's way of holding office is a mixture of models of first counsel and partner in power (established by Walter Mondale and Al Gore, respectively). At the same time, Biden completely ignored Dick Cheney's model of imperial vice presidency.

As June 2010 marked 500 days since Barack Obama inauguration, it is an excellent opportunity for a tentative review of the actions undertaken by the president and those around him.