PC: Ford wins '76, Mondale '80?

In a scenario in which Ford manages to win against Jimmy Carter against in 1976, and his term roughly goes the same as Carter's (i.e. Inflation, High Unemployment, Iran Hostage Crisis, etc.) How likely is it that Walter Mondale is the Democratic Nominee in 1980? He got fairly good press as Carter's running mate in OTL 1976. Would his status as Carter's running mate hurt him? And how much?
 
I doubt anyone would blame Mondale for Carter's loss and I think a New Dealer like Mondale would have a good chance at the nomination after a moderate southerner Carter lost a very winnable election in '76.m, and would have a good chance at winning the general after 12 miserable years of Nixon/Ford. Imagaine, Mondale beating Reagan in this TL. Oh the irony...
 
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