Final answer:
The vice presidency has become more important due to shifting roles within the executive branch, with vice presidents taking on significant responsibilities and becoming key players in governance. The correct answer is option c.
Step-by-step explanation:
The office of vice president has become more important due to shifting roles within the executive branch. Initially, the vice president's duties were limited to presiding over the Senate and stepping in for the president if necessary. However, over the years, vice presidents have been given more significant responsibilities by their respective presidents. They have been tasked with heading commissions, overseeing major projects, representing the administration domestically and internationally, and effectively becoming an integral part of the president’s governing team.
Since the 1970s, vice presidents like Ford and Rockefeller have demanded more day-to-day responsibilities, resulting in an office with its own staff and prominence within the executive branch. They participate in key policy discussions, lead initiatives, manage crises, and more. Presidents such as Barack Obama and Joe Biden have continued this trend by involving their vice presidents, Joe Biden and Kamala Harris, respectively, in important policy areas. This evolution reflects a shift towards a more dynamic and involved vice presidency, rather than the formerly ceremonial role that vice presidents once held.
In summary, the correct answer to why the office of vice president has become more important is c) Shifting roles within the executive branch.