Getting 100% of the Vole

Before he received the Democratic vice-presidential nomination, Minnesota's Senator Walter Mondale came to lunch with TIME editors and other staff members to discuss Jimmy Carter, the vice presidency and other issues. Excerpts:

ON JIMMY CARTER: He is very bright. He has done a lot of work, and I like the way he attacks problems. Most politicians, I regret to say, begin with polls and then back into a solution after they've analyzed what may be popular, and avoid what is unpopular. At least, in our discussions we talked about problems first on their own merit ... One thing that appeals to Democrats--he's shown a lot of courage on civil rights. Here's a man who looks honest, looks decent, looks like he can manage, looks like he's not full of himself and looks like he's free. He doesn't have any entangling interests that control him, and he just might be the person to shake up that town [Washington] and make it work the way people want it to work.

ON SKEPTICISM ABOUT CARTER: Outside the South, the border states and a few states in which he has campaigned heavily, like New Hampshire and maybe Pennsylvania, Carter is still not well known. While the polls indicate that he has very strong appeal in a general sense, I think there is also a softness there that has to be dealt with, and I think he understands. I think that is partly the skepticism of our age. They test all of us. They expect we are all liars and cheaters or abductors, and it takes a while for a new public personality, particularly coming out of a unique environment, to sell himself.

ON CYNICISM ABOUT GOVERNMENT:

The feeling that somehow Government has gotten away from basic standards and integrity is very deep--and a feeling that there's a double standard for the rich and powerful. People also feel that Government doesn't work, and they need someone to make it responsive and make it respectful.

ON RONALD REAGAN: There's not a hint of human justice, of social justice in his argument at all. And I don't think he is looked on as a symbol of integrity. He's not tainted. But I don't think people feel the same about him in this regard of honesty and integrity and management as they do about Carter ... Reagan's an impressive performer, but what he says scares people.

ON GERALD FORD: If Ford is the nominee, I assume there are all kinds of games planned. The Bureau of Labor Statistics will be reporting good news. Interest rates will drop dramatically. Agreements of little significance will be promoted. Just all kinds of games that they can play ... But Ford's biggest problem is that I just don't think he is quite bright enough to be a good President. A nice guy, but the nice just doesn't cut well enough.

ON THE VICE PRESIDENCY: Carter said the problem has been that Presidents feel threatened by Vice Presidents. They don't want to share the stage. He said, "I don't feel threatened that way and I don't believe I will. I'm going to need a lot of help running this Government" ... I told Carter if it is a ceremonial job, I'm not interested.

ON BUSING: My position has always been not for busing as such but that I'm opposed to repeal of the 14th Amendment, which prohibits discrimination. A sensitive Government would use its influence to work with the courts to achieve the elimination of discrimination in ways that diminish the disruption and tensions and the unnecessary busing. Atlanta may be the example of how it should be handled ... They worked out a program in which there's minimum busing, but in which the black feels thoroughly comfortable.

ON CIA AND FBI REVELATIONS: Those bastards down there [in Washington] have got to figure out that there are some rules in this society that they're going to live with, along with everyone else. They're going to tell the truth, they're going to obey the law, and they're going to listen to people ... But the idea that you can defend this nation within the Constitution, under the law, and tell the truth is still considered a sort of childish, feminine position.

ON BEING PICKED FOR THE TICKET: Everybody thinks it's easy to be appointed. It's the toughest of all. You have to get 100% of the vote.

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