One word sums up probably the responsibility of any vice-president, and that one word is 'to be prepared'.
The other day the President said, I know you've had some rough times, and I want to do something that will show the nation what faith that I have in you, in your maturity and sense of responsibility. He paused, then said, would you like a puppy?
On the security front, the United States must continue to play a leadership role. There simply is not another country in the world that commands the respect or has the capabilities that we do, and we must not shrink from our responsibilities.
Our policies must be premised on, and must reinforce, values such as family, hard work, integrity and personal responsibility.