Typically, vice-presidents of the United States protect the boss’s flanks and cater to the boss’s base.
Vice-presidents spend a lot of time at foreign funerals, of course, but also a lot of time at party fundraisers and second-tier campaign events around the country.
When somebody needs to defend the boss against the other party or represent him to the party faithful, the veep often steps up.
The veep is the almighty president’s sidekick, attuned to the master’s voice like the RCA dog.
Author’s summary: Trump acts as his own attack dog.