The reason Kamala Harris is having a lousy vice presidency? It's a lousy job.


The vice presidency of the United States is a terrible job. It always has been. And right now, that terrible job belongs to Kamala Harris. It's turning out about how you'd expect.
On Sunday, CNN ran a lengthy story about how Harris and the White House are at odds — the result of dysfunction in Harris' office and an administration that doesn't quite know how to make the best use of her. That followed a Saturday piece from the Washington Post suggesting Harris' status among Democrats as the heir apparent to President Biden is increasingly in question. A recent poll puts her approval rating at a disastrous 28 percent.
The vice president isn't speaking publicly about all these criticisms, but Harris' allies have risen to her defense. Some note that President Biden has stuck Harris with some of the most intractable challenges facing his administration — most notably, immigration — while failing to give her a chance at a real win. "It would be nice to have some things that she could rally the nation around," one Democrat told the Post. "But that's not what she's been given." Others say the critical coverage is "racist and misogynist."
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Maybe. But Harris' real problem is probably that the vice presidency isn't really a "rally the nation" kind of post. Usually, it's not even all that consequential; Dick Cheney, who served as a de facto prime minister during George W. Bush's presidency, was the exception to the rule.
Otherwise, the veep's role in American politics has mostly been to serve as national laughing stock and occasional political attack dog for the president — often but not always on the outside looking in when the big decisions are made. We don't remember vice presidents for their leadership but for outrageous or ridiculous moments: Spiro Agnew's "nattering nabobs" speech, Dan Quayle's spelling mishaps, and Joe Biden's "big f--king deal" gaffe. Even Lyndon Johnson, who was enormously consequential as both president and Senate majority leader, found himself bereft and purposeless as vice president. "I don't think I ever saw a more unhappy man," one of his secretaries said.
Vice presidents are enormously ambitious people who have to sublimate their own egos to serve a president's agenda while waiting in the wings — often fruitlessly — for the top job. That means the role often produces a lot of seething behind-the-scenes drama, and that seems to be what Harris is experiencing now. It's nothing new.
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Joel Mathis is a writer with 30 years of newspaper and online journalism experience. His work also regularly appears in National Geographic and The Kansas City Star. His awards include best online commentary at the Online News Association and (twice) at the City and Regional Magazine Association.
-
How developed was Iran's nuclear program and what's left now?
Today's Big Question Israel and the United States have said different things about Iran's capabilities
-
The downsides of a 'forgotten' 401(k) and how to find it
the explainer Don't leave your old retirement plan behind
-
AI chatbots are leading some to psychosis
The explainer The technology may be fueling delusions
-
Is Trump's military parade 'just a parade'?
Talking Point Critics see an 'echo of authoritarianism'
-
Is Trump's LA troop deployment about order or authoritarianism?
Talking Points President: 'We're going to have troops everywhere.'
-
What's Kamala Harris' California future?
Today's Big Question She could run for governor. Will Democrats want her?
-
Is Trump trying to take over Congress?
Talking Points Separation of powers at stake in Library of Congress fight
-
'We already have the tools to do better'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
-
Kamala Harris steps back on center stage
IN THE SPOTLIGHT In her first major speech since Donald Trump took office, the former presidential candidate took solid aim at this administration as speculation grows about her future
-
The anger fueling the Bernie Sanders and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez barnstorming tour
Talking Points The duo is drawing big anti-Trump crowds in red states
-
Why the GOP is nervous about Ken Paxton's Senate run
Today's Big Question A MAGA-establishment battle with John Cornyn will be costly