If Walz really wants to be president--and I don't know of there being much indication of that before his turn as VP nominee--then he'd probably be better off not running for reelection in 2026. (Same for Harris regarding a possible CA-Gov run)
They could run more effective campaigns without having to constantly return to their states and concentrate on state business, and "elect me and I'll run for president" is generally not a great vote getting message. Not that all Dems considering a national run will, or should, step down; for example, I don't see Shapiro voluntarily stopping with one term.
We've had the following VP candidates (never elected) who never ran for POTUS after the presidential ticket they were on lost in a prior presidential election:
Tim Kaine - Didn't run in the Democratic primary in 2020.
Paul Ryan - Didn't run in the Republican primaries in 2016 and 2020.
Sarah Palin - Didn't run in the Republican primaries in 2012 and 2016.
Lloyd Bentsen - Didn't run in 1992 and ended up serving as the first Treasury Secretary under President Clinton's administration from 1993-1994.
Jack Kemp - Ran for POTUS in the Republican primary in 1988 but dropped out of the race in March 1988. Did get selected by Bob Dole as his running mate but after this ticket lost, he never ran for POTUS again.
Joe Lieberman and John Edwards ran in 2004 and again in 2008 (Edwards) but their stock as presidential candidates dropped as presidential candidates after being running mates in 2000 and 2004 respectively.
First, we have the midterms coming up. If Walz wants to start putting where his energy should be, it’s helping Democrats get elected in 2026.
After that, the presidency could be considered.
Well, fair enough, except if he decides to run for re-election in 26. I'd expect him to concentrate on that, if so.
Yes, agreed. I had forgotten Minnesota doesn't have term limit requirements like California so Walz may decide to give a third term a go.
If Walz really wants to be president--and I don't know of there being much indication of that before his turn as VP nominee--then he'd probably be better off not running for reelection in 2026. (Same for Harris regarding a possible CA-Gov run)
They could run more effective campaigns without having to constantly return to their states and concentrate on state business, and "elect me and I'll run for president" is generally not a great vote getting message. Not that all Dems considering a national run will, or should, step down; for example, I don't see Shapiro voluntarily stopping with one term.
We've had the following VP candidates (never elected) who never ran for POTUS after the presidential ticket they were on lost in a prior presidential election:
Tim Kaine - Didn't run in the Democratic primary in 2020.
Paul Ryan - Didn't run in the Republican primaries in 2016 and 2020.
Sarah Palin - Didn't run in the Republican primaries in 2012 and 2016.
Lloyd Bentsen - Didn't run in 1992 and ended up serving as the first Treasury Secretary under President Clinton's administration from 1993-1994.
Jack Kemp - Ran for POTUS in the Republican primary in 1988 but dropped out of the race in March 1988. Did get selected by Bob Dole as his running mate but after this ticket lost, he never ran for POTUS again.
Joe Lieberman and John Edwards ran in 2004 and again in 2008 (Edwards) but their stock as presidential candidates dropped as presidential candidates after being running mates in 2000 and 2004 respectively.