The Catholic Candidates

Joel K. Goldstein, a respected scholar of the vice presidency, analyzes the debate between Vice President Joe Biden and Rep. Paul Ryan. Goldstein talks about how the debates have shaped the office of the vice presidency, and the history of Catholic vice-presidential candidates. There were 8 in all (if you count Biden twice), and they helped diversify their respective parties, starting with John F. Kennedy in 1956, who didn't win a spot on the ticket but openly campaigned for it at the convention.