Former Vice President Walter F. Mondale had planned to deliver a eulogy at the funeral of Jimmy Carter, who was a little more than three years his senior. Although Mondale died in 2021, he left behind the eulogy, which will be read at Carter’s memorial service at Washington National Cathedral on January 9 by his son Ted Mondale. In the tribute, Mondale hailed Carter for making human rights the centerpiece of his foreign policy, promoting environmental measures, and placing more women in high office than any of his predecessors.
Mondale and Carter formed an unlikely partnership, with Mondale being a northern liberal and Carter a Southern moderate. Despite their differences, they brought their party together in 1976 and forged a close partnership. Mondale became the most empowered vice president in history at the time, with an office in the West Wing and weekly lunches with the president. Carter involved him in every major policy discussion.
In the eulogy, Mondale recalled the origin of their alliance, saying that Carter asked him to join him as his running mate in 1976 and welcomed his full participation. Mondale set two conditions: he wanted to make a real contribution and not be embarrassed. Carter agreed and treated him as an equal, protecting him from the frustration and humiliation that had plagued many vice presidents.
Mondale credited their shared small-town upbringings and Christian faith for their close relationship, saying that they created a model vice presidency, a real partnership between the president and the vice president. He added that their partnership has been followed by later administrations of both parties.
