[old and tired]

but then their political careers start a downward slide due to four ambiguous and stifling years spent as a figurehead.

Depends upon what the Veep does. I don't think anybody considered Dick Cheney a figurehead. I looked at him as a real asset to the Bush administration while peaceniks considered him the Devil himself.

[LoveUSA]

Dick Cheney was seasoned and basically retired and has not shown an inclination for politics since then.