To a nation basking in the sunshine politics and tax reductions of Reagan’s first four years, Mondale’s declaration was seen as an appalling blunder. In his acceptance speech to the Democratic nominating convention in San Francisco, Mondale assured its 4,000 startled delegates that: “Mr Reagan will raise taxes and so will I. Congresswoman Geraldine Ferraro was the first female vice-presidential candidate from a major party, but lost credibility when her family finances eventually came under scrutiny. His working relationship with President Jimmy Carter from 1977 to 1981 set a pattern that helped his successors find a more meaningful role.Īs a presidential candidate, Mondale largely engineered his own defeat. His wife Joan died in 2014.What Mondale did achieve, in addition to his productive years in state politics and the Senate, was to significantly redefine the difficult post of vice-president. Walter Mondale is survived by his sons, Ted and Will. It was Walter Mondale who defined the vice presidency as a full partnership, and helped provide a model for my service." Mondale lost the abbreviated race to Republican Norm Coleman.īiden paid tribute to Mondale at the time of his death last year, saying: "There have been few senators, before or since, who commanded such universal respect. Paul Wellstone was killed in a plane crash shortly before the election. In 2002, at 74, he was drafted to run for the Senate again after Sen. Mondale remained a revered liberal elder, with a long list of accomplishments, and went on to serve as ambassador to Japan under President Bill Clinton. Geraldine Ferraro, of New York, as his running mate, becoming the first major-party nominee to put a woman on the ticket But he made history in that race by picking Rep. He carried only Minnesota and the District of Columbia after bluntly telling voters to expect a tax increase if he won. He served as vice president under Jimmy Carter from 1977 to 1981.Īnd he lost one of the most lopsided presidential elections ever, to Ronald Reagan in 1984. Humphrey, serving as Minnesota attorney general before replacing Humphrey in the U.S. Mondale followed a trail blazed by his political mentor, Hubert H. He wanted to be with friends, telling stories in Minnesota. He didn't want anything fancy, like laying in state at the U.S. His son, Ted Mondale, said it was exactly the service his dad would have wanted. Mondale was a graduate of the university and its law school, and the law school building is named after him. It was the dignity he brought home in the wake of defeat," Klobuchar said.īiden could be seen wiping away tears as a young actress sang "Tomorrow" from the musical "Annie." The university's marching band closed the service with the "Minnesota Rouser" fight song. But maybe the most amazing gift he gave me was the gift of resilience, because you see, it wasn't just the decency he displayed on the national political stage that made him stand out. "He was my mentor from the very beginning of this journey, he taught me a lot. Klobuchar said Mondale was instrumental in urging her to run for office. There are women in America today who see no limit to their dreams because of Fritz Mondale," Meacham said. There are Black people in America today who can vote and work and live more freely and fairly because of Fritz Mondale. "There are children in America today who will not go hungry because of Fritz Mondale. Presidential historian Jon Meacham delivered the keynote eulogy. Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith, and Larry Jacobs, a political science professor at the university's Humphrey School of Public Affairs, where Mondale taught for several years. Other speakers for the event at the University of Minnesota included Gov. "I'll never forget how Fritz affected so much love and light into our family, again at our darkest moment." "They were there for Jill and me and my family," Biden said. Jimmy Carter and Walter Mondale in 1976 (credit: CBS) Both had been senators and vice presidents, and both lost a beloved child to brain cancer: Eleanor Mondale died in 2011 at age 51, and Beau Biden died in 2015 at age 46. The president said they shared a special bond. "He loved you all, and you loved him back." "He was loved by the American people because he reflected the goodness of the American people, especially the people of Minnesota," Biden said. White House press secretary Jen Psaki said Biden wanted to attend the memorial because he had "an important personal relationship" with Mondale.ĭuring Sunday's service at the University of Minnesota's Northrop Auditorium, Biden described Mondale as a "one of the great giants in American history" and "among the greatest of all Americans." MINNEAPOLIS (AP/WCCO) - President Joe Biden gathered with other dignitaries in Minneapolis on Sunday to remember former Vice President Walter Mondale at a memorial service that his family delayed for a year due to the pandemic.
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