Walter Mondale was an American Democrat politician, diplomat, and lawyer who served as the 42nd vice president of the United States and represented Minnesota in the United States Senate.
Born January 5th, 1928 in Cleylon, Minnesota, Mondale’s political success made him one of the most notable Minnesotans. Mondale began his political career in 1960, when appointed as Minnesota Attorney General. In 1964, when Democrat Hubert Humphrey left the Senate to become vice president, Mondale was appointed to succeed him. Mondale served Minnesota as a U.S. Senator until 1976, when he was elected as vice president in Jimmy Carter’s presidential win. Mondale ran as the democratic nominee in an unsuccessful bid for President of the United States in 1984, losing to republican Ronald Reagan. Mondale's selection of U.S. Rep. Geraldine Ferraro of New York as his running mate made him the first major-party presidential nominee to put a woman on the ticket. Mondale later served as ambassador to Japan in President Clinton’s administration. Returning to Minnesota in 1996, he joined the Minnesota legal community, and enjoyed the role of elder statesman to contemporaries.
February 22, 1983 - MPR’s Pat Kessler reports on Walter Mondale, former U.S. vice president, starting his campaign for the presidency in Minnesota. Report includes clip of Mondale speaking about the grain embargo of the Carter administration.
February 22, 1983 - Former U.S. Vice President Walter Mondale meets with press corps the day after his presidential announcement. Mondale spoke on the vision for his campaign, including nuclear arms, environment, and economy.
June 9, 1983 - A comment about Reagan education plan from U.S. Senator Walter Mondale while touring University of Minnesota.
June 9, 1983 - MPR’s Deborah Fisher reports on U.S. Senator Walter Mondale’s comments while touring University of Minnesota. Mondale is critical of President Reagan’s education plan and administration’s trade policy.
September 19, 1983 - Walter Mondale, presidential candidate and former U.S. vice president, speech at annual Minnesota AFL-CIO meeting. Mondale speaks on free trade, strong unions, and his criticism of President Reagan’s economic policy. Minnesota AFL-CIO President David Roe introduces Mondale.
September 19, 1983 - MPR’s Pat Kessler reports on Walter Mondale, presidential candidate and former U.S. vice president, speaking to the Minnesota AFL-CIO. Mondale criticizes “Reaganomics,” and states his support for strong unions in the United States.
September 20, 1983 - Excerpt from Rudy Perpich speech, in which he calls for labor support for Walter Mondale’s presidential run.
July 12, 1984 - Rich Dietman and George Boosey report live from State Capitol. Former Vice President and Democratic Presidential candidate Walter Mondale offically announces his choice of Geraldine Ferraro as his running mate for the 1984 election, Annoucement is made in the Minnesota House Chambers.
July 19, 1984 - Walter Mondale acceptance speech at 1984 Democratic National Convention. Mondale presents Geraldine Ferraro, the first woman to be chosen as vice president nominee.
January 28, 1988 - Midday presents the MPR documentary “The Politics of Joy: A Radio Remembrance of Hubert Humphrey.” MPR’s Mark Heistad reflects on political life and impact of Hubert H. Humphrey in both Minnesota and the nation.