That's one reason vice presidents like Hubert Humphrey, Walter Mondale, Dan Quayle and Al Gore often have trouble winning the presidency on their own.

CNN: In a Clinton administration, what would Bill do?

"We did offer, twice, " said University of Minnesota president Eric Kaler, pointing out that Minnesota graduates Hubert Humphrey and Walter Mondale were Democratic nominees for president.

CNN: Presidential jinx for Big Ten graduates

If Mr Gore presses that issue, and finds others that appeal, he may persuade Minnesotans to remember their native liberals: Hubert Humphrey, Walter Mondale and Eugene McCarthy, who helped to foster among many Minnesotans their once-deep belief that government was more benevolent than meddlesome.

ECONOMIST: The campaign