Agree with your statement.
.... And the position is historically used as a step-stone to the presidency.
Well, not since James Buchanan in the mid-nineteenth century.
Point well taken. Maybe the word “traditional” is too strong. But Hillary Clinton just tried it in the 21st Century. Haig tried it in the 80’s. Blaine tried it in the late 19th century. The fact of not being elected doesn’t change the point.
I’m just concerned about giving Romney any leg to stand on.
Former Secretary of State James Blaine would have won in 1884 except for the “rum, Romanism, and rebellion” comment made by one of his supporters shortly before the election...or perhaps except for ballot-stuffing in New York City by the Democrats.