From the Grave, Mondale to Eulogize the Man Who Made Him Vice President

Former Vice President Walter F. Mondale had anticipated delivering a eulogy for his long-time friend and colleague, former President Jimmy Carter, at his memorial service scheduled for January 9 at Washington National Cathedral. Although Mondale passed away in 2021, his son, Ted Mondale, will read the eulogy Mondale prepared in tribute to Carter, similar to how former President Gerald R. Ford’s son read his father's eulogy at Ford's memorial.

In his eulogy, Mondale praised Carter for emphasizing human rights in foreign policy, promoting environmental initiatives ahead of the climate change discourse, and appointing more women to significant government positions than any predecessor, including Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. He recounted a conversation with Carter about how they wanted their legacy to be remembered, capturing it in the phrase, "We told the truth, we obeyed the law, and we kept the peace."

Despite their contrasting backgrounds—Mondale being a northern liberal and labor union ally while Carter was a southern moderate—this unlikely pairing emerged in 1976 to unite the Democratic Party. Their collaboration was marked by a unique partnership that reshaped the role of the vice president, as Mondale became the most empowered vice president in U.S. history up to that point, thanks to Carter's support.

Mondale recalled how Carter valued his input and actively involved him in major policy discussions, granting him an office in the West Wing, access to the president, and a residence at the Naval Observatory. He set two conditions for joining the ticket: to make a meaningful contribution and to avoid embarrassment, both of which Carter respected throughout their tenure.

Their relationship, grounded in shared values and small-town roots, flourished into a strong friendship that transcended the traditional dynamics between a president and vice president. Mondale reflected on how they worked closely on pressing issues, establishing a collaborative model for the vice presidency that has influenced future administrations, regardless of political affiliation.