"The vice president had a bargaining asset, however, that no ordinary person has: He was next in line to the presidency. I saw no chance that he would resign first, then take his chances on trial, conviction, and jail"

This quote by Elliot Richardson is describing the vice president's unique position in the line of succession to the presidency. Richardson is indicating that the vice president had an advantage over a common person in a similar scenario since he was next in line to the presidency. This implied that the vice president had the alternative of not resigning and taking his possibilities on trial, conviction, and prison, as a normal individual would have to do. Richardson is suggesting that the vice president was unlikely to take this risk, as he had the security of the presidency to draw on. This quote highlights the power of the vice president's position and the distinct benefits it can bring.