Michael Nelson, in PS: Politi- cal Science and Politics (Fall 1988), 1527 New Hampshire Ave. the Better N.w., Washington, D.C. 20036.
Nineteenth-century Americans would have been astonished last summer's uproar over Dan Quayle's nomination for vice president. Ironically, says Nelson, a Van- derbilt political scientist, the Quayle con- troversy highlights a dramatic improve- ment in the way vice presidential candidates are chosen.
Early in the nation's history, when, by law, the runner-up in every...