Kamala Harris: Can She Break the VP Barrier?

Ever since Thomas Marshall, the vice president under Woodrow Wilson, joked about VPs vanishing, the role has had a reputation for being a dead end. The odds of becoming president from the VP spot are slim—only 20% of former VPs have made it. Now, Kamala Harris, the current VP, is running for president. This hasn't happened in 24 years, since Al Gore's narrow loss to George W. Bush. History hasn't been kind to VPs running for the top job. After Martin Van Buren's win in 1836, no sitting VP won again until 1988, when George H. W. Bush succeeded. Many VPs have tried and failed, like Walter Mondale in 1984 and Gerald Ford in 1976. Why do they struggle? Loyalty to an unpopular president can hurt, as seen with Hubert Humphrey in 1968. Sometimes, VPs are tainted by their president's scandals, like Al Gore with Bill Clinton's affairs. Kamala Harris faces her own challenges. Chosen to balance the ticket with Biden, she's criticized for being too liberal. She also has to defend Biden's unpopular policies. On the bright side, Biden's quick endorsement of her avoided a messy nomination fight. Her strong debate performance and unique perspective on women's issues could attract voters. Will Kamala Harris break the VP curse? History hasn't been kind, but her unique qualities and circumstances offer hope.