(00:00:00) That's a news update. I'm Greta Cunningham programming on NPR is supported by Ecolab dedicated to improving cleaning and sanitation standards for leading Hospitality Healthcare and food processing customers worldwide on the web at Ecolab.com 6 minutes now past 11. Good morning, and welcome to midday in Minnesota Public Radio. I'm Gary eichten glad you could join us Minneapolis. Mayor Sharon sales belt and take center stage at the Democratic National Convention. This afternoon sales belt and is the co-chair of the conventions platform committee shall be speaking to delegates that about mid-afternoon today, and we'll have reporting what she has to say on all things considered later today today on midday. Meanwhile, we've been joined by former vice president and 1984 Presidential nominee Walter Mondale who is in Los Angeles is one of Minnesota's 91 delegates at the Democratic National Convention. As always we invite you to join our conversation. If you have a question or comment for Walter Mondale, give us a call. This morning is our coverage of the Democratic National Convention continues our Twin City area number six, five, one two, two seven six thousand 6512276 thousand if you're calling from outside the Twin Cities with a question for Walter Mondale. Two for two two eight 286512276 thousand or one eight hundred two, four two two eight two eight now yesterday. Mr. Mondale got a fairly rousing reception from his fellow delegates as he recalled some party history. And before we get started with our call in today, we thought you'd be interested in hearing what he had to say (00:01:44) a few weeks ago. We had a lecture at the University of Minnesota on Mississippi Freedom Democratic party challenge of 1964. It's a long time ago. It was called Freedom Summer and it was the year when the Democratic party came clean on civil rights. That's the year that we decided that bittering had to stop that. We had to change our rules to prohibit segregated delegations and that the national legal system. Through voting rights Civil Rights Act fair housing and range of other measures had to make it possible for all Americans to participate fully in the life of this country. When we did this there was a massive Exodus of some white voters in the south over to the Republican party. Some of them went to George Wallace but in a shortly arrived on the Republican side and they changed the South for what was solid South Democratic to solid South Republican and the leadership that's in the Congress today like Trent Lott and Jesse Helms and many others came to power as a result of a basic fundamental decision by the Democrats that we were no longer going to dinner around on the questions of decency in our country. And I think it's a the proudest It in Arkansas in our party's history and with it in our nation's history. I say this I say this because it's something that Republicans have not yet come to terms with they still benefit from the rebound that they've tried to live with to get themselves elected. That's why the Republican candidate this year could not bring himself to call for pulling down the Confederate flag over state capitol in South Carolina. That's why he went to a rally for Bob Jones who's famous segregationist and he Catholic gave him a hug and mentioned how similar their views were. That's why that's why mr. Reagan kicked off his campaign in Philadelphia Mississippi full of historic significance our party when the nation looks at it tonight. We'll see not a colorized convention like the one that happened in Philadelphia and all white which is it all white convention using Hollywood. Techniques of colorization to make it appear to make it appear something that it is. We don't have to colorize our convention. It is real it represents our country. We have made our change. We represent all of America and because of that our next government under Gore and Lieberman will represent all of America. (00:05:35) I was former vice president and former presidential candidate Walter Mondale speaking yesterday to Minnesota's delegation at the Democratic National Convention which continues today in Los Angeles now, once again, mr. Mondale will be joining us this morning from Los Angeles to talk politics and to take your questions. So we invite you to give us a call our guests Walter Mondale and if you have a question for mr. Mondale 6512276 thousand or one eight hundred two, four two two eight 286512276 thousand one eight hundred two, four two two eight two eight morning. Mr. Mondale. Thanks for joining us. Good morning. Now. We just heard your comments to the delegates, Minnesota delegates yesterday on Little little history lesson the state Republican party chairman here in Minnesota. Ron. Eben's Steiner was pretty critical of what you had to say. He was quoted in the Star Tribune is saying Democrats are playing the race card. I thought we were beyond that he meaning you I guess he's talking about an America that is passed and we are reaching out to all Americans. I thought Mondale was better than that. (00:06:49) I was talking about the history and I think it's reflected the two parties the Democrats back in the 60s and the 70s changed their rules eliminated discrimination prohibited segregated delegations and change the face of the democratic party in the South and many whites. Then ran into the Republican party and elected in effect Southern eyes, the Republican party and elected a lot of the leadership. Now run the Congress Trent Lott Jesse Helms and so on and I think are two conventions reflect that fact. The Republican convention is basically an all-white mostly male convention. If you looked at our convention last night, it represents a broad cross-section of American life. We don't have to as I said yesterday, we don't have to colorize our convention and you know Gore has had a long history of pro-civil Rights Lieberman as a Young Man actually went to Mississippi, you know it risk to help register black voters. And so there's quite a history here that contrast the Approaches of the two parties and I also said and now repeated here today that almost every four years Republican candidate does something to try to Signal the Old South that they're still to be trusted and thus Bush this year hug, Bob Jones and refused to say the Confederate flag should be pulled down four years earlier. They ran the Willie Horton ads for years before that President Reagan went kicked off his campaign speech a campaign and Philadelphia, Mississippi. So I don't think this is just the past. I hope we're behind it. But I think the Republicans still have some work to do to create a political party that reflects America. (00:09:07) The Republicans have pointed out that the mr. Bush has apparently very very popular with especially with Hispanics. Is that part of why? We're hearing more and more criticism from the Democrats about this (00:09:24) talking about the history is I know it and when I refer to the Bob Jones visit and the refusal to call for the pulling down of the Confederate flag, I'm talking about George Bush in the year 2000 that happened this year. (00:09:46) Mr. Mondale. What do you make of the fact that apparently at this point? Anyway the presidential race here in Minnesota pretty much a toss-up now normally as you well know Minnesota is is always safely listed in the Democratic column and to the point where many of the candidates seldom come here because why bother right to vote Democrat anyway, (00:10:08) yeah. Well, I think that the the national race is very tight and I think that the Bounce that the Republicans got out of their convention those things usually happen has put States like Minnesota for the time being in the contested column now, I'm not taking this election for granted. I think there's a lot of work that has to be done. I think this could be a very very close election. I think Minnesota could well be one of the contested States and as one Minnesota Democrat. I'm not going to take it for for granted (00:10:51) Minnesota former Minnesota. Senator former US vice president former Ambassador, Japan former Democratic presidential candidate. The list is too long just bonded. Yeah former Walter Mondale is our guest this our joining us from Los Angeles where the Democratic National Convention underway. And again, if you have a question for mr. Mondale, give us a call here at 6512276 Thousand or To 28286512276 thousand or one eight hundred two four two two eight two eight first caller is from Sioux Falls Tim. Go ahead, please (00:11:29) mr. Mondo. I want to show my appreciation for your comments there. I'd been sitting on the fence here wondering which side was which anymore nowadays and and I tell you what, it made me fall off over to the Democratic side again. I think that that statement that you said there just needs to be very much key to pain throughout this convention because there is huge differences there and and it's been made to look like it's all gray. So it'sit's better of the gray. That's a gets it. Yeah. I think the Republican idea this campaign is to fuzz up every issue. We've had eight good years and those things just happened. There were choices that work policies put in place. I don't think any of that's correct. We've Sharpen that issue and I think already our conventions are in contrast. The Republican convention was carefully managed. It was muted it was soft. It was Fuzzy as you pointed out and our convention based on the first night and I think that's going to be through throughout is far more substance far sharper in terms of what we're talking about and where we want to go and and another great contrast is our convention is a reflection of the doors that we've opened up over the years and you can see that we represent everybody in an America that is changing and we're changing with it contrasted to the Republicans who are still sort of Frozen and you went you might see a 1950 picture (00:13:11) now a fair number of liberals apparently are unhappy though. Mr. Mondale and are talking about voting for Nader people, who would otherwise you would assume would vote for the Democrat. What do you what do you make of that (00:13:25) tonight? We have liberal night to answer your question Gary. We got Jesse Jackson. We've got several other speakers Bill Bradley and young Harold Ford Caroline Kennedy and so on to talk about these elements that make up the thrust of the democratic party that should appeal to everyone. I also say that a vote for Nader is a vote for Bush and that there are big differences between the leadership of the two political parties and between Gore and Bush between Cheney and Lieberman and these are real differences and we ought to stay involved in the main foyer. (00:14:19) Senator wellstone said yesterday that once the election is over though. He'd like to see all the progressive elements get together and essentially form a what I would amount to I suppose an independent political movement one that would nominate presumably more liberal candidates. I think that's a good idea. (00:14:42) You know, I don't want to be disrespectful to the senator because I haven't heard you know what he said or the Nuance connected with it. So I don't want to be I want to be careful about that. Of course, there's in America. You can do anything you want in terms of organizing a political party or organizing a caucus or trying to find ways of making a case and to be heard to be influential. No one can object to that. That's everyone's op option my personal. And that's where I've been coming from four years is for those who want a progressive America you want these changes that really count in education in health in the in the environment and the rest the hope is found in the Democratic party. We need to keep pressing ourselves to do better. But that's where we are. That's the essence of what we stood for and stand for and I would hope that the the emphasis of what Senator well Stones were talking about is for the purpose of strengthening the Democratic (00:15:55) party Fulton your question for Walter Mondale (00:15:58) Place. Good morning, sir. It's a pleasure to talk to you from Northern Minnesota. Oh good my question to person whom I greatly admire. I guess I must disagree when you say that the Republicans as the quote you are frozen in a 1950 picture. I would remind you sir that it I was chief justice Earl Warren who was Republican governor of California? Whoo. Yeah. Whoo certainly came down on the side of desegregation. It was President Eisenhower a republican in the 50s who enforced desegregation in the 1960s when President Johnson work so very hard and very well in the civil rights legislation that as a percentage more Republicans voted in the house and the senate for for the saw Rights Act and did the Democrats. I guess my question to you sir is what has happened to the Republican party. I don't think the statement that they're frozen in the 50s is if it is then what do you mean by that? Yeah, let me explain myself. I agree with what you said up until about 1960 for there were many. Republican leaders who supported civil rights and I think when the first Civil Rights Act was voted on a large portion at least has the Republican leadership voted for it, but then something happened in 1964 Barry Goldwater than the southern strategy which sort of worked in parallel with the Democrats who are really getting tough on civil rights with party reform and with the Voting Rights Act and so on a new tone took control of the of the Republican party and the the influence of blacks the presence of blacks and other minorities dramatically diminished and I think that they need I would like to see the attitude of the earlier Republican party Earl Warren was is one of Heroes of civil rights in America and some of the earlier Republicans were in that but that theme has no longer doesn't persist much. There are Republicans who support civil rights, of course, but at the leadership level I don't think they have much of a commitment to it. (00:18:35) Don your question. Please (00:18:38) great honor to hear you. I don't know where dress you vice president bass or Senator that dead never well as I just hope this radio station keeps you coming. Oh, you're productive busy man, but it's really great. And he's well, thank you and Lisa my question about the disaffection of Voters in the political process. I've been a lifelong educator and one of the things I plot is the women's league of Voters who have educated voters. I have two questions for you sir. One is how do we bridge this gap of disaffection and voters I pick whatís independent and really turned off by both. He's posturing the second question from your Outpost from Japan. I'm really curious about what you see in the next decade that we need to do in foreign policies and listen. Thank you very much for your time. And it's really appreciated by we this sort of common people here. Thank you very very much. I think there is a very serious problem in America and in countries around the world about the turnoff of the political process politics. I say is the business of freedom and that can't be good when people stop participating in it. We have very low voter participation rates in America and they're getting lower all the time. There are many candidates for to try to explain this. I've got one point that I Put a lot of emphasis on and that is the role of money in American politics. It is just awful and getting worse all the time since the opening of the so-called soft money loophole. They're all the traditional controls on money where it come from how much money is spent who gets it has have just simply disappeared and the appearance of the influence of huge amounts of money on the political process sends a signal to the average voter that he doesn't count. He can't send in a check for $100,000 and a feeling that the system is rigged. I think the system is better than it looks but there's no reason for permitting this scandal. Ever rising ocean of money to drown the public process and I'm very very hopeful that Gore in his speech Thursday night will make a strong point out of the need for campaign Finance reform Lieberman. As you know has been a long-standing supporter of these reforms God knows we really need it. There hasn't been much discussion about foreign policy yet. But I hope there will be before the convention is over America is the world's remaining super power. We are the largest and most dynamic economy in the world the most open economy. We have a presence in the world that I think exceeds an influence and stature that of any other nation and how we carry this moment in history to try. Bring about peace stability and more Justice and hope in many of the sad parts of the world is a very very important part of our own future. So I hope we'll discuss that in this in this (00:22:32) convention on the campaign Finance issue. You were saying that you hope that vice president Gore will talk about this Thursday night Republicans will argue. Of course that mr. Gore is up to his hip boots there in campaign Finance scandals as a result of the 96 election. Are they onto something there it can is that going to be a (00:22:57) problem? Well, there's an embarrassment there's no question about it. But there's one big difference between Gore and Bush Gore strongly supports campaign Finance reform that will eliminate the availability of soft money in American politics in Reimpose the rules of used to live under which requires full disclosure and limited contributions. And mr. Bush who's raising records amounts of money this year strongly opposes any campaign Finance reform. So I think if you're interested in reform, it's very clear where you should vote (00:23:36) on the foreign policy issue seems to be quite a rift among Democrats as to what approach should be followed at least in terms of trade in the global economy. Do you think that that Rift is going to be is that going to be a problem for Democrats this fall? Fair the it's all (00:24:00) it's a it's a very good question and my answer is I'm not sure the there's no question that the gore Lieberman ticket party platform the most of the Congressional leaders on the Democratic side believe that the future of our country is found in an open international trading environment and that moving toward a more protectionist ants will have many costly adverse implications for our society, you know in the last few years we've had growth like we've never had before and I believe the openness of our attempts to open the World Trading environment has been a major contributor. To the health of the American economy. There are problems about labor standards about environmental standards things that we should work on and and and that's maybe a common ground that can help us find more Unity on this issue. But there's no question that there's still people around and in the Democratic party and elsewhere that are not as enthusiastic about what I've just (00:25:30) said, we're going to take a break here Walter Mondale is our guest joining us from Los Angeles side of the Democratic National Convention again, if you have a question for mr. Mondale, give us a call six five one two, two seven six thousand or one eight hundred two, four two two eight two eight more callers and more questions for mr. Mondale and just a couple of minutes. Today's programming is supported by listeners who have helped secure, Minnesota public. Radios future by including MP are in their Wills. And here's coverage of the democratic convention (00:26:05) continues later today. I'm Scott Simon and I'm Elizabeth (00:26:08) Arnold join us beginning at seven o'clock to the live broadcast from Los Angeles with commentary and Analysis from NPR news live coverage of the Democratic National Convention on Minnesota Public Radio continues tonight at seven o'clock on the air and online at Minnesota Public Radio dot org over the noon hour today will be rebroadcasting President Clinton speech to the convention case you missed it last night right. Now. We have news headlines. Here's brother Cunningham Granite. Good morning. Gary Russian. Naval officials are denying reports that a rescue mission is underway to save the crew of a crippled nuclear submarine stranded on the ocean floor officials say an attempt to rescue 116 Sailors on the sub might be made later today if the weather on the barents sea improves rescue ships have been hampered by 12 foot high seas and strong winds Navy officials say there appears to have been an explosion in the torpedo compartment in the nose of the sub. The compartment contains warheads and explosion probably would have cause casualties Russian officials say the submarine carried no nuclear weapons and its nuclear reactors had been switched off British. Airways has suspended its conquered flights after being told that British and French officials intend to revoke the planes airworthiness certification Air France Concorde have been grounded since the July 25th crash outside Paris that killed 130 people no word yet on why the Concord certification is being suspended British officials. Say French authorities will explain their actions. Tomorrow. President Clinton will meet up today with Al Gore in Michigan a day after Clinton's farewell address at the Democratic National Convention as he left Los Angeles this morning Clinton said he hoped last night's speech helped. He says the main thing he wanted to do was to thank the American people in Regional news the jury May soon start deliberations in Donald blom's murder trial testimony concluded this morning at the st. Louis County Courthouse in Virginia. The last witness was Leo Soros a toxicologists from International poison Center and the University of Minnesota. He testified that the medications Blum was taking in the Carlton County Jail were in the normal to low end of the dosage range has the defense claims Blum gave a false confession to kidnapping and killing Katie Poirier. They say the medications. He was taking made him depressed and Confused Blum later recanted his confession the forecast for the state of Minnesota today calls for clear to partly cloudy skies. Statewide high temperatures today ranging from 75 to 85 Degrees checking conditions around the region. Mostly Fair Skies reported in Saint Cloud reports Fair skies and 73 degrees skies are fair in Duluth and 67 and in the Twin Cities Fair Skies a temperature of 76 Gary. That's a look at the latest news. Thanks Greta 25 minutes now before noon mid day coming to you on Minnesota Public Radio and our guest this hour Former vice president former presidential candidate former Ambassador Japan former Minnesota. Senator Walter Mondale (00:29:00) and Gary. Can I just make a comment about what happened last night? Minnesota was seated behind Mississippi in the convention and you recall a few months ago. We held a lecture. We had a conference on the Mississippi Freedom Democratic party challenge of 64 where Mississippi Senate all-white segregated delegation. And the party was notoriously bigoted I would say well last night the the Mississippi delegation sat in front of us was fully integrated. They've elected a new governor. They hold the Just Sager and so we've not only seen a state change in many ways the toughest State on civil rights in the country to change but we you see a state that's showing new health and new Vigor in this new era and it was it was a remarkable experience for me having been through those early fights and I had a lot of fun last night talking to all those mississippians and many of them had been in those earlier fights at what a what a different world in what a different country we've got as a result. (00:30:24) Yeah, I would imagine it's quite different going to these conventions as kind of a regular delegate as opposed to one of (00:30:34) the key figures. Well, it's fun, you know, you can you don't have to prepare a speech no makeup is needed and you can just stand around there and have fun with a lot of people. (00:30:49) Now in terms of these speeches do the candidates or the people who are giving do they agonize over these speeches a lot or by that but once you get to that level, can you roll those off pretty easily? (00:31:02) No, I think it's always Agony because particularly ones that are going to be on television. They know they're going to have an enormous audience. They've got to do well many times. They're under very short time constraint. So they got a packet in in a hurry and a lot of tension surrounding that and they know they know if they lay an egg, they'll never be forgotten (00:31:26) and do do the people who give the speech has generally write write them for the most part of the they have like a full Coterie of experience (00:31:35) speechwriters. I think the best ones essentially write their own but the like Clinton who I think is the best I've ever seen. I know he personally he gets help, you know people drop rough drafts and so on but he he massages and develops his own speeches. And then as you know, he rests a lot he gets down the road and something occurs to him and we'll be off on a tributary others are more methodical more deliberate plans stylized and it's not as much fun (00:32:23) Steve your question for Walter Mondale place. (00:32:25) Yes, good morning. Gentlemen, mr. Ambassador. Basically, I'm I've never been registered as a Democrat. Although I've tended to vote that way over my voting history. And while I have no basic interest in voting republican from what I've seen so far. Mr. Acton, ask the question. Why should one vote for vice president Gore as To Ralph Nader and I'm wondering if you could elaborate a little bit on the differences between mr. Nader and mr. Gore. Mr. Nader on a lot of fronts is actually looking pretty good as an independent candidate and you had asked a little earlier or mentioned a little earlier. Excuse me that a vote for Ralph Nader is essentially a vote for George w-- and I don't really see it. That way. I was wondering if you could kind of elaborate on both of those points. Why is the vote for Nader a vote for Bush and why should I vote for? Mr. Gore other than the fact that you'll probably throw a great party and January. Yeah. Well, that's that's no reason and the only thing that counts is who has the best vision for carrying our nation forward. And who has the best chance of getting that done that that's the only real reason for voting for someone particularly for something as important as the presidency. I'm you know, I've got my own views and I'm speaking openly about what I think I think that Gore and Lieberman to people of tremendous stature of great experience of strong records of of impressive ability and of record of taking on tough issues over the years are representing a Thrust and a policy to confront our future that is in sharp contrast to the Republicans and is our most hopeful Avenue for moving forward and making Each Crossing that bridge we talked about last night. I know narrator for years. He's bright guy, but he's running as a minor candidate and if he he when he gets votes, I think they're basically going to come from Gore and that helps. Mr. Bush got elected. (00:35:01) Do you think Ralph Nader Pat Buchanan? John hagelin? Some of the other candidates should be included in the debates this fall. (00:35:09) No the rule is as I understand it that if a candidate Shows I think it's 15 percent support in the public opinion polls, then they will be permitted to participate in the debates think that's how Ross Perot got in a few years ago. Remember John Anderson got in in the debates in 1980, but when it when a candidate is down at two three four percent, there's about Maybe ten candidates running for president that we don't hear much about they've all got an equal right? If you have an open debate that could all participate and the problem is this this election in nineteen are the year 2000 is between Gore and Bush and the Democrats and the Republicans and the real choice is there which one which party are you going to support and we are only going to have the two or three debates 90 minutes each in which the American people can really watch those two debate under conditions where they're not protected where you've got tough reporters going after them with tough questions and where their talents and their leadership and the rest will really be tested. Is this the reason that millions of people turn in these in watch these debates is because as good citizens, they think they might learn something that would help them decide what to do those those debates and the time involved in my opinion our precious opportunities for the American people to get control this system. If you clutter up those debates with the also-rans instead of having that serious hard 90-minute tough confrontation, it's going to be blurred and all over the map. So I think that the sent the rules today are essentially correct. (00:37:36) Paul your question, please. (00:37:38) I had a couple things to say I would like also like comment on the selection of Joe Lieberman. And as far as his religious views, I hear Democrats say that he's he has very strong convictions and I of course I have no question about that. But whenever George Bush and his his religious convictions are brought up as far as being a Christian seems that he's labeled as an old-fashioned white male, you know that type of thing prejudiced person and quoting an editorial in the Duluth News Tribune. It said to clarify an obvious misconception about Christianity. I want to say that a true Christian does not seek to discriminate or condemn anyone and no one the Bible does she just Jesus endorses slavery racism or prejudice? In the Bible, it's you want tells us to hate the sin but love The (00:38:34) Sinner. Okay. So your question is (00:38:37) I was just like mr. Mondale to comment on that and also as far as the record of mr. Bush and Texas there there must be something about him if he was re-elected with over 70 percent majority in the second largest state. Okay. Well, I guess two questions there. Yeah role of religion. Yeah, let me say that if anybody has criticized George Bush and his religion count me out. In other words. I think he's fully entitled to hold his own views and to be respected for those views that has no place in American politics and I and the hopeful thing about mr. Lieberman is that traditionally long time ago. Anyway that has not been true. There's been anti-semitism. ISM disrespect and even violence directed at Jews fortunately, I believe we're beyond that. I think America has grown up. I think we realize that we have a lot more in common that were a stronger Nation when we open doors and work on our strengths together. That's what we did when John Kennedy was elected in 1960. That's what I tried to do in 1984. When I picked the first woman to be on the national ticket and that's what that's what we're trying to do here in Los Angeles in the year 2000 by putting that question behind us. And the reaction has been tremendous Lieberman of course has has very impressive credentials across the board have been very positive comments about him and Well deserved in my opinion and I think we've got a good chance this year to put that behind us. Just as we did with John (00:40:38) Kennedy. What do you make the other part of Paul's question had to do with our comment had to do with the fact that George W bush has been reelected in taxes by a wide wide margin apparently getting lots of votes from Democrats and all kinds of different people. (00:40:56) Well, it's interesting but this is almost always the case when people run for president, they've been popped very popular their own States for a different office of Governor, Senator something like that. We're now selecting a like Gore has been very popular in Tennessee. Lieberman has been spectacularly popular in Connecticut, but now we're running for president vice president. It's a different challenge. It's a different test and they have to be judged a new by The not just the state but by the American (00:41:33) people now, mr. Mondale, you course served as vice president and President Clinton has argued right along that he should Al Gore should get let much of the credit for the successes of the Clinton Administration the Republicans argue that well. He should get blamed for much of what went wrong in the Clinton Administration as a practical matter how much credit or blame should go or get as vice president for what Bill Clinton did or didn't (00:42:04) do. Well, I think it's widely regarded that Gore has been a very effective vice president closely involved in the work of this Administration and that the tremendous changes that were talked about last night in the president's speech is, you know, taking a government over with the highest deficits in history. Eight years later having the highest surpluses in American history eight years of economic non-inflationary growth of the type that this nation has never seen before new efforts at education and health and the rest. It's really a very impressive record Gore has been at the heart of that effort and I think Clinton tried made very clear last night that he has been a partner in that effort. So I think as we get into this presidential race at that is going to be a very important fact (00:43:07) should as vice president. Al Gore have been more outspoken about the president's sexual problems. (00:43:16) Well, let me put it this way. Nobody doubts. The Integrity or the quality of Al Gore's marriage or family life. These are issues. I'd rather not talk about but the fact of it is their exemplary. I've known Al and Tipper for years and they are in this effort to somehow make an issue out of the presence you're responsible personal acts and confuse them with the vice president's in some way. It seems to me as unfair. (00:44:04) We have time for at least one more caller here Jeff your question for mr. Mondale. (00:44:09) Yeah, I just wanted to go back to this idea. I'm sorry to change the subject that we shouldn't have third parties included or fourth parties or fifth parties included in debates. I think the 15% is a completely arbitrary number and it's just kind of created to keep out those third and fourth party viewpoints. I think we should I know Ralph Nader right now is campaigning for five percent because that's the amount you need to get Federal funding and I think that makes a lot more sense. I know we can't include everybody and debates because we would get a mishmash and we wouldn't be able to keep track of who is who however, it's a completely Catch-22 because if you're coming into this at trying to get 15% you're never going to get this 15% unless your Viewpoint is heard somewhere and the only way your Viewpoint is ever going to get hurt is if you have No to go out there and the debates. I think the only reason Perot is ever out there is because he had so much money. He could spend so much get his Viewpoint across spending all that money. And that's all the only reason he was able to get that 15 percent. I'll take your comments off the air. Thanks. Yeah, you know Anderson as I mentioned was on in 1980. He didn't have any money but he was running up around 18 19 percent. He was admitted into debates parole was in the polls up toward 20% of believe and he was admitted into the debates. Maybe a parallel was in Minnesota where Jesse Ventura who was running well was was permitted in the gubernatorial debate so though it's a different system nevertheless. He was permitted because he was obviously a significant Force. There's a fine line here. I agree with that. No, Nate or wants five percent because you got he thinks he's got five percent if you had three percentage say 3% but there's a lot of other candidates out there will argue just as strongly that whatever wherever they are that they should be permitted and in a democratic theory, that's great. But what I'm saying is that these presidential debates are precious opportunities, nothing like it, you know, the speeches are prepared. The press releases are handed out the the rest of it is organized the ads and all the rest the one place where the American people can actually look at the two candidates and get a clash and see how smart they are how their views hold up. Their leadership quality and those indefinable things that go into whether someone's ready for the presidency or not is in those National debates. And before we get them confused with all kinds of participants that will change the whole nature of it and blur it. I think we have to be very careful (00:47:18) about it. Not a lot of time left. Mr. Mondale, but you suppose that will be the the turning point in this election the decisive moment. (00:47:27) Let me just say one of the things they just had the reform party convention out here. If you can call it a convention and Buchanan's making the same point as as Nate, he's I've got to get into this debate. I'm entitled to be in this debate. And so if you get Nader and Buchanan and hagelin and the others in there, what kind of a road show to you have? I know I think we're denying something that the people really (00:47:58) Need and you think those debates will be decisive. (00:48:03) Well, you know, the history of them is that usually something happens during the course of the debates that help the American people decide what they want to do and that's why I think that I mentioned earlier that's why they have such enormous audiences because people think they might learn something (00:48:22) thank you so much for joining us sir. We're out of time. But I really appreciate your taking the time to take some questions. (00:48:27) Nice to talk to you good talking with you (00:48:30) former vice president former presidential candidate former Minnesota. Senator, former Ambassador, Japan Walter Mondale joining us from Los Angeles side of the Democratic National Convention on the next All Things Considered my yes, (00:48:47) I think she's a (00:48:53) Twin Cities based band 12 rods on their new album separation anxieties. Story on the next All Things Considered weekdays at 3:00 on Minnesota Public Radio. President Bill Clinton speech at the National Convention coming up right after well right over the noon hour right after news at 12 o'clock. And here is the writers almanac for Tuesday. It's the 15th of August 2000. It's the Feast of the Assumption a holy day of obligation for Catholics celebrating the Virgin Mary being taken Body and Soul into heaven a day observed since the 7th Century in Rome. It was on this day in 1947 the Indian subcontinent won independence from Britain after 200 years of being a colony Mohandas. Gandhi was a great champion of Independence, but wanted there to be one nation not to he declared his life of failure because India could not govern itself as one state, but had to be divided one state for Hindus India and another Pakistan for Muslims. It's the birthday of Julia Child born in Pasadena, California. 1912 went off to join the OSS during World War II and there met her husband Paul child who was an enthusiastic Gourmet and got her interested in foreign food. He was posted to Paris where she took classes at The Cordon Bleu and along with her friends Simone Beck and Louise Berto. She set up a cooking school and wrote their book mastering the art of French cooking in 1961. It's the birthday of Lawrence of Arabia TE Lawrence Thomas Edward Lawrence who wrote Seven Pillars of wisdom 1926 called the last great romantic War Book. It's the birthday of novelist Edna Ferber born in Kalamazoo, Michigan 1887 author of many sagas, including so big and Showboat, which was then made into the musical and the novel giant Edna Ferber who said a woman can look both moral and exciting is she also looks as if it were quite a struggle. And it's the birthday of novelist and poet Sir Walter Scott born in Edinburgh in 1771. The man who was credited with having invented the historical novel. He began by writing narrative poems such as the Lady of the Lake and then he tried his hand at novels but since novels were in such disrepair. He did not sign them with his name. He published Waverly anonymously and when it proved to be a sensation, he then published Rob Roy under his own name Ivanhoe and many others Sir Walter Scott who said no one shall find me rowing against the stream. I care not who knows it. I write for the general amusement. Here's a poem by Gerald Lockland the iceberg Theory. All the food critics hate iceberg lettuce. You think Romain was descended from orpheus's Laurel wreath, you think raw spinach had all the nutritional benefits attributed to it by Popeye not to mention aesthetic subtleties worthy of Berlin and Debussy, they'll even salivate over chopped red cabbage just to disparage poor old mr. Iceberg lettuce. I guess the problem is it's just too common for them. It doesn't matter that. It tastes good has a satisfying crunchy texture holds its freshness and has crevices for the dressing. Whereas the dark early fear varieties are often bitter gritty and flat. It just isn't different enough and it's too goddamn American, of course a Critic has to criticize a Critic has to have something to say perhaps that's why literary critics purport to find interesting so much contemporary poetry that just bores the shit out of me. At any rate. I really enjoy a salad with plenty of chunky iceberg lettuce, the more the merrier drenched in an Italian or Roquefort dressing and the poems. I enjoy are those I don't have to pretend that I'm enjoying a Palma Gerald Lachlan the iceberg Theory from his collection the iceberg Theory published by the lummox, press and used by permission here on the writers almanac for Tuesday, August 15 made possible by 21 North Main.com where Book Lovers find more than 10 million used rare and antiquarian books on the web at 21 North Main.com technical Direction by Scott Rivard be well do good work and keep in touch Regional broadcast of the writers. Almanac are supported by market Banks your community bank offering a broad range of financial services for your business and personal needs. On the next all things considered a salty lake that helps make the case for Minnesota as the Gateway to the West will have that story on the next All Things Considered weekdays at 3:00 on Minnesota Public Radio. You're listening to Minnesota Public Radio. We have a sunny Sky 76 degrees at Kinder wfm 91.1 Minneapolis. And st. Paul Sunny through the afternoon with a high reaching the mid 80s partly cloudy tonight with a low in the middle 50s and then tomorrow there's a 40% chance for some afternoon showers and thunder showers with a high in the upper 70s.