Vice President Kamala Harris is embarking on her fall campaign for the White House, facing a historical trend where only one sitting vice president has been elected as president since 1836 – George H.W. Bush in 1988. Past attempts by vice presidents like Richard Nixon, Hubert Humphrey, and Al Gore were marked by narrow election losses influenced by various issues such as war, scandal, and the dynamics of their relationship with the incumbent president.
For example, in 1988, Bush’s successful election was attributed to a strong economy, easing Cold War tensions, and a good working relationship with President Ronald Reagan during the campaign. On the other hand, Al Gore in 2000 distanced himself from President Bill Clinton following the impeachment scandal, a move that commentators believed hurt his campaign in a closely contested election, decided by a slim margin in Florida.
In 1960, Richard Nixon failed to leverage Dwight Eisenhower’s popularity due to their complex relationship, with Eisenhower at times appearing dismissive of Nixon’s influence. Hubert Humphrey in 1968 faced challenges from within his party due to his ties to President Lyndon B. Johnson and his hawkish stance on the Vietnam War. Johnson’s decisions were seen as damaging to Humphrey’s campaign, leading to a narrow loss.
Vice President Harris, in contrast, faces a different political landscape as she vies for the presidency following President Joe Biden’s decision not to seek reelection. Harris quickly secured Democratic support and received the party’s nomination in a comparatively smoother convention. Despite Biden’s approval ratings hovering around 40%, which is similar to former President Donald Trump’s ratings, Harris aims to follow in the footsteps of Biden, who transitioned from vice president to president with Obama’s endorsement and support.
As Harris kicks off her campaign, she can count on Biden’s commitment to support her and participate actively in her electoral efforts. Their joint appearance in Pittsburgh on Labor Day signifies a united front in the battle for the presidency, with Biden pledging to assist Harris in any way needed for her election.
