Changes

Conservatives criticize this amendment by arguing that it was passed to allow unelectable, but powerful, politicians like Nelson Rockefeller to become president.  Indeed, President Ford picked Nelson Rockefeller as his vice president, making Rockefeller next-in-line to become president.  Prior to this amendment and for most of American history, a vacancy in the office of vice-president remained unfilled until the next presidential election. (During such vacancies, an official of the party opposing the President could take office if the President died or left office.)

Conservatives criticize this amendment by arguing that it was passed to allow unelectable, but powerful, politicians like Nelson Rockefeller to become president.  Indeed, President Ford picked Nelson Rockefeller as his vice president, making Rockefeller next-in-line to become president.  Prior to this amendment and for most of American history, a vacancy in the office of vice-president remained unfilled until the next presidential election. (During such vacancies, an official of the party opposing the President could take office if the President died or left office.)

==Popular culture==

==Popular culture==

Since its adoption, many fictional works have illustrated its function and short comings.  Most notably, ''[[The West Wing]]'' had the President step aside when his daughter Zoe was kindnapped transferring power to the Speaker of the House who was of the opposite party.<ref>''The West Wing'', Episode 4.23: [[Twenty Five (The West Wing)|Twenty Five]]. Original airdate: May 14, 2003.</ref>  The President then resumed serving in the office when his daughter is recovered.

Since its adoption, many fictional works have illustrated its function and short comings.  Most notably, ''[[The West Wing]]'' had the President step aside when his daughter Zoe was kidnapped transferring power to the Speaker of the House who was of the opposite party.<ref>''The West Wing'', Episode 4.23: [[Twenty Five (The West Wing)|Twenty Five]]. Original airdate: May 14, 2003.</ref>  The President then resumed serving in the office when his daughter is recovered.

In the television series ''Scandal'', the Vice President takes over following an unsuccessful assassination attempt. The President struggles to portray himself as physically recovered in order to convince the Vice President and the cabinet not to take the issue to the Senate.  The Vice President ends up agreeing to hand power back to him.<ref>Scandal, Season 2, Episode 18. Original airdate: January 17, 2013,</ref>

In the television series ''Scandal'', the Vice President takes over following an unsuccessful assassination attempt. The President struggles to portray himself as physically recovered in order to convince the Vice President and the cabinet not to take the issue to the Senate.  The Vice President ends up agreeing to hand power back to him.<ref>Scandal, Season 2, Episode 18. Original airdate: January 17, 2013,</ref>