The top 5 best — and — worst vice presidents since 1933, ranked
There’s no Mt. Rushmore for vice presidents. But if there were, here’s how the top and bottom 5 stack up, according to a 2024 Presidential Greatness Project survey ranking from 1933-present.
2024 Presidential Greatness Project 1933-present
The Los Angeles Times conducted a Presidential Greatness Project survey of scholars, asking the experts to evaluate vice presidents as well as presidents. The resulting rankings spanned from John Nance “Cactus Jack” Garner, Franklin D. Roosevelt’s first vice president, to Kamala Harris. Al Gore topped the list as the greatest modern vice president, followed closely by Joe Biden — who also recently entered the presidential rankings in the top third. Lyndon B. Johnson (Kennedy), George H.W. Bush (Reagan) and Walter Mondale (Carter) filled out the rest of the top five. Nixon veep Spiro Agnew — who resigned from office following a bribery scandal — ranked last, with Dan Quayle (George H.W. Bush), Henry Wallace (FDR), Garner and Alben Barkley (Truman) rounding out the bottom five. Harris and Mike Pence — who served under the last-ranked president, Trump — both came in the bottom half of vice presidents, at Nos. 11 and 13 out of 18, respectively. The low rankings of the current vice president and her predecessor reflect the experts’ view that they weren’t particularly active partners in their administrations.
No. 2: Joe Biden
Vice President Joe Biden makes an Earth Day announcement April 22, 2009, at a bus complex in Landover, Md. Biden, who served under President Barack Obama, scored high on relations with Congress, largely for his “ big … deal” role in helping shepherd the Affordable Care Act into law.
No. 4: George H.W. Bush
Vice President George Bush with his wife and others observe activities May 14, 1983, aboard the aircraft carrier USS Ranger.
No. 15: John Nance Garner
John Nance “Cactus Jack” Garner, served as vice president under President Franklin D. Roosevelt.
No. 16: Henry A. Wallace
Vice President Henry A. Wallace delivers a radio address from Washington on Dec. 28, 1942, proposing a world council to preserve peace after World War II. He served under Franklin D. Roosevelt.
No. 1: Al Gore
Former Vice President Al Gore waves Aug. 28, 2008, after addressing the Democratic National Convention in Denver. Gore, who served under President Bill Clinton, topped the field as a policy adviser, reflecting projects such as his “reinventing government” initiative to shrink the bureaucracy and make government less expensive and more efficient.
No. 3: Lyndon B. Johnson
Lyndon B. Johnson is sworn in Nov. 22, 1963, as president of the United States of America in the cabin of the presidential plane as Jacqueline Kennedy stands at his side in Dallas, Texas. Judge Sarah T. Hughes, a Kennedy appointee to the Federal court, left, administers the oath. In background, from left are, Jack Valenti, administrative assistant to Johnson; Rep. Albert Thomas, D-Texas.; Mrs. Johnson; and Rep. Jack Brooks, D-Texas.
No. 5: Walter Mondale
Sen. Walter Mondale, left, is introduced by Jimmy Carter as his vice presidential choice July 15, 1976, at a press conference in the Americana Hotel in New York.
No. 14: Alben Barkley
President Harry S. Truman, left, and Vice President Alben Barkley wave from the reviewing stand Jan. 20, 1949, during the inaugural parade in Washington, D.C.
No. 17: Dan Quayle
Vice President Dan Quayle smiles and his wife Marilyn waves to a well-wisher Aug. 17, 1992, as they make their way across the floor of the Republican National Convention in Houston’s Astrodome. Quayle served under President George H.W. Bush.
No. 18: Spiro T. Agnew
Vice President Spiro T. Agnew refutes allegations that he was involved in political payoffs during a Capitol news conference Aug. 8, 1973 in Washington, D.C. Agnew, who served under President Richard Nixon, said "absolutely not" when asked if he was giving any thought to resigning.
Harris’ goal, insiders say, is to keep the process drama-free, as she and Democrats try to project confidence after an extraordinarily tumultuous few weeks.