The first Real Vp to be involved since John Adams was Wilson's VP, Thomas Marshall.
Interesting that you should say that. From what I've read on Wilson's administration, Marshall was kept in the dark a lot of the time (Marshall never knew the full extent of Wilson's trauma). An ideological rift developed within the two men, which let Wilson to give him a fractional note of influence. Wilson also didn't care for the man's humor.
However, he was the first VP to chair cabinet meetings, so that could be an increase of influence.
For me, I don't consider the Vice Presidency significant, really. You can say Cheney was very active, as were Mondale and Nixon to an extent, but Biden doesn't seem to have much of a role other then matters relative to Iraq.
It's a shame too because Marshall would have been as good President.
