Election '84: A Credible Candidacy And Then Some

Ferraro wrought no miracles, but she broke the gender barrier

In her pioneering quest to become the nation's second-highest elected official, Geraldine Ferraro ran not one campaign but two. On one level, she sought to do what running mates always have: stump long and loyally for her party's presidential nominee and bolster the ticket among his weaker constituencies. On another level, Ferraro was running for the history books. As the first woman ever nominated for the vice presidency by a major party, as well as the first Italian American,...