A l Gore should be rounding the bend to victory in the presidential election. At least that is what the formulas of political scientists suggest. They collect pertinent statistics, noting such things as the strength of the economy and the trends of past campaigns for the White House. In the end, Gore may capture the presidency. He won't do so as easily as the formulas forecast.
History provides a partial explanation.
Since 1836, only one vice president has succeeded his boss by winning the office at the ballot box. George Bush the elder accomplished the task. The vice presidency carries burdens. Gore feels the weight of the Clinton years, the sordidness of the Lewinsky affair, the campaign-finance binge, the various episodes of sleaze and obfuscation. He declared his independence at the Democratic National Convention.