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Thursday, Aug. 8, 2024

Was Kamala Harris the most unpopular vice president since polling began?

Tom Kertscher, Wisconsin Watch
no

At their peak, the unfavorability ratings of Republican vice presidents Dan Quayle (1989-93) and Dick Cheney (2001–09) exceeded that of Kamala Harris.

Republican U.S. Rep. Derrick Van Orden, who represents western Wisconsin, claimed July 29, 2024, that until a couple weeks earlier, Harris “was the most unpopular vice president” since polling began.

His staff did not reply to emails requesting evidence.

Polls commonly ask respondents whether they have a favorable or unfavorable opinion about a politician.

Experts cautioned that polling on vice presidents beyond recent decades is limited.

Among registered voters nationally, Quayle’s unfavorability peaked at 63% (ABC) and Cheney’s at 61% (Fox), according to the Roper Center for Public Opinion Research.

Harris’ peaked at 58% (YouGov) in September 2023.

Her unfavorability was 55% on July 15, two weeks before Van Orden’s claim.

Harris has been vice president since January 2021. She became the 2024 Democratic presidential nominee Aug. 5.

See a full discussion of this at Wisconsin Watch

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