Dr. Richard Yon Associate Professor CTC Richard.Yon@westpoint.edu Biography Dr. Richard Yon is an Associate Professor in the Department of Social Sciences at the United States Military Academy in West Point, New York, where he teaches courses in American politics, American presidency, and homeland security. Additionally, he serves as the Director of Terrorism Studies for the Combating Terrorism Center in which he directs the Terrorism Studies Minor. Dr. Yon also coordinates the domestic Academic Individual Advanced Development program (Internships) for the Department of Social Sciences and the Combating Terrorism Center. His research focuses on the vice presidency and its influence in the modern era. Dr. Yon’s current book manuscript explores the nature of vice presidential influence during the modern era, with particular focus on the various “dynamics” that alter influence during a vice presidency. In addition to the vice presidency, his research interests include the American presidency and Congress. Dr. Yon holds a Ph.D. in political science from the University of Florida and an M.A. in political science from the University of Florida and Florida Atlantic University. He is also a member of the editorial board for the journal, White House Studies. Ongoing Research Projects “Emerging from the Shadows: Vice Presidential Influence in the Modern Era.” This book project, currently in progress, focuses on explaining variation in vice presidential influence over time with an assumption that all vice presidents in the modern era have the capacity to exercise influence. This study is the first of its kind to ascertain the true nature of vice presidential influence and the consequences of changing interpersonal, situational, institutional, and electoral dynamics on said influence. These four dynamics provide a framework by which to understand the fluidity of vice presidential influence. This book analyzes the vice presidencies of Nelson Rockefeller, Walter Mondale, George H.W. Bush, Dan Quayle, Al Gore, Dick Cheney, and Joe Biden. These vice presidencies explain how influence waxes and wanes over the course of a term due to changing interpersonal, situational, institutional, and electoral dynamics. To get at the heart of vice presidential influence, archival research was conducted at presidential libraries and other repositories that hold vice presidential papers. Additionally, extensive in-depth interviews were conducted with individuals from each presidential administration under examination. Publications & Presentations Edited Books: The Vice Presidency of Joseph Biden” in The Obama Presidency. Doug Brattebo, Tom Lansford, and Robert Watson, eds. SUNY Press (Forthcoming). With Michael Ferro and Jeremy Hunt. "The Obama Administration and the Islamic State." In The New Islamic State: Ideology, Religion and Violent Extremism in the 21st Century. Jack Covarrubias and Tom Lansford, eds. Routledge (2016). With James Long. “The Role of the Vice President.” In Triumphs & Tragedies of the Modern Presidency. 2nd edition. Maximillian Angerholzer III, James Kitfield, Norman Ornstein, and Stephen Skowronek, eds. Praeger (2016). With James Amoroso. “The Biden Vice Presidency: Perpetuating Influence or Restoring Historical Insignificance?” In The Obama Presidency: A Preliminary Assessment. Doug Brattebo, Tom Lansford and Robert Watson, eds. SUNY Press (2012). “Lincoln as Father: Dealing with Tragedy in the White House.” In Lincoln’s Enduring Legacy: Perspectives from Great Thinkers, Great Leaders, and the American Experiment. William Pederson, Robert Watson, and Frank J. Williams, eds. Rowman & Littlefield/Lexington Books (2010). With Robert P. Watson. “Political Pragmatism and Civil Rights Policy.” In The Civil Rights Legacy of Harry S. Truman. Raymond H. Geselbracht, editor. Truman State University Press (2007). With Tom Lansford. “The Real Mrs. Lincoln: The Nature and Extent of Scholarship on Mary Todd Lincoln.” In Creative Breakthroughs in Leadership: James Madison, Abraham Lincoln and Mahatma Gandhi. William Pederson and Frank J. Williams, eds. Pencraft International (2007). With Robert P. Watson and Dale Berger. “The Justice System Has Been Weakened by Excessive Protections for Criminals.” In Debating the Issues: American Government and Politics. Robert P. Watson, ed. Kendall/Hunt Publishers (2005). “The Nixon Doctrine: A New Approach to the Containment Strategy.” In Presidential Doctrines: National Security from Woodrow Wilson to George W. Bush. Charles Gleek, Michael Grillo, and Robert P. Watson, eds. Nova Publishers (2003). Peer-Reviewed Journal Articles: “Veterans and Bipartisanship.” Armed Forces and Society (2018). With Lee Robinson, Isaiah Wilson, and Joseph Amoroso. “In the Shadow or the Sunshine of His Father? The Legislative Impact of Veto Threats in the Administration of George W. Bush, 2001-2006.” White House Studies 7 no. 2 (2007). With Richard S. Conley. “The ‘Hidden Hand’ and White House Roll-call Predictions: Legislative Liaison in the Eisenhower White House, 83rd – 84th Congresses.” Presidential Studies Quarterly 32 no. 2 (2007). With Richard S. Conley. “Vice Presidential Selection in the Modern Era: A Model.” White House Studies 6 no. 2 (2006). With Robert P. Watson. “Healthcare Initiatives and the Modern Presidency: From Franklin Roosevelt to George W. Bush.” White House Studies 6 no. 1 (2005). With Bryan Hilliard. Other Publications: 16th Partnership for Peace Consortium Annual Conference Report. “The Future of Euro-Atlantic Security: Education & Power.” (2015). With Scott Silverstone and Rachel M. Yon. “The Real Mrs. Lincoln: The Nature and Extent of Scholarship on Mary Todd Lincoln.” The Lincoln Herald 110 No. 1 (2008). With Robert P. Watson and Dale Berger. American Presidents. 2nd Edition. Robert P. Watson and Richard M. Yon, eds. Salem Press (2006). Salem Press. “The Unknown Presidential Wife: Martha Jefferson.” Thomas Jefferson Legacy Newsletter. (2005). With Robert P. Watson. “Martha Wayles Skelton Jefferson: A Biography.” Jefferson Legacy Foundation Notes 6. (2005). With Robert P. Watson. Presentations: “Can More Military Veteran Participation in Congress Defeat Partisan Gridlock?” Paper presented at American Political Science Association Conference, 2018. With Joe Amoroso. “The Biden Vice Presidency: A Case Study in Influence.” Paper presented at Hawaii University International Conferences on Arts, Humanities, Social Sciences, & Education, 2018. “The Biden Vice Presidency: Perpetuating Influence or Restoring Historical Insignificance.” Paper presented at Southern Political Science Association Conference, 2011. “Emerging from the Shadows: The Vice Presidency in the Modern Era.” Paper presented at American Political Science Association Conference, 2010 “Presidential Lessons from Lincoln: Coping with Family Tragedy.” Paper presented at New England Political Science Association Conference, 2010. With Robert P. Watson. “Legislative Liaison, White House Roll-Call Predictions, and Divided Government: The Eisenhower Experience, 83rd – 84th Congresses.” Paper presented at Southern Political Science Association Conference, 2006. With Richard S. Conley. “Vice Presidential Selection in the Modern Era.” Paper presented at Western Social Science Association Conference, 2005. With Robert Watson. “National Security Executive Orders: Presidential Power from Harry S. Truman to George W. Bush.” Paper presented at Western Social Science Association Conference, 2005. With Melissa Buehler and A. Markum. Discussant, Panel 6: The Presidency and Panel 7: Women Presidents and Vice Presidents. Western Social Science Association Conference, 2005. “National Security Executive Orders: Presidential Power from Harry S. Truman to George W. Bush.” Paper presented at Midwest Political Science Association Conference, 2005. With Melissa Buehler and A. Markum. “Rating Presidential Cabinets and Cabinet Secretaries”. Paper presented at Western Social Science Association Conference, 2004. With Robert P. Watson. “The Head and the Heart: Thomas Jefferson as Revealed Through His Marriage to Martha Wayles Skelton Jefferson.” Paper presented at Western Social Science Association Conference, 2004. With Robert P. Watson. “Martha Wayles Skelton Jefferson: Her Life with Thomas Jefferson”. Louisiana State University, International Lincoln Center, Paper presented at Thomas Jefferson: His Life, Times and Legacy, Louisiana Purchase, Bicentennial Reflections on a Renaissance Man Conference, 2003. With Robert P. Watson. “The Nixon Doctrine: A New Approach to America’s Increasing Involvement in International Affairs”. Paper Presented at Western Social Science Association Conference, 2003.