Former Vice President Walter Mondale explored a broad range of topics in a dialogue with Palo Alto High School students on Thursday, sharing his opinion on domestic and global issues while focusing on the inadequacies of the current Congress and the George W. Bush administration.
Mondale, who served as vice president under Jimmy Carter and represented Minnesotans as their Democrat senator between 1964 and 1976, expressed distaste for the current president and his policies.
"I think the Iraq War was a serious mistake, but we are there now and what do we do about it? What can we do to create a more hopeful relationship?" Mondale asked. "First, begin with public trust. A president must instill a notion that he is honest, truthful, and trying to do what is right."
In response to a later question about the change in amount of executive power, Mondale jokingly compared Bush to an emperor.
"Mr. Bush, in my opinion, has an idea of a presidency, in which he has the right to do what he wants for the reasons he wants," Mondale said.
Mondale backed his claims by citing current controversies over illegal wiretapping, jailing without due process and torturing. However, the president was not the only one subject to Mondale’s aversion.
"Congress has abdicated its responsibilities," Mondale bluntly stated. "The New York Times calls this the Kabuki Congress. [Senators] are not doing what they are supposed to do. I think Congress needs to get tougher."
Additionally, Mondale dabbled on topics including Islamic extremism in Iraq, the West Bank, Iran during the Iran Hostage Crisis, human rights, alternative fuel options, political partisanship, nuclear proliferation, and Geraldine Ferraro, Mondale’s Vice Presidential running mate in the election of 1984. Ferraro, the first woman nominated for the vice presidency, is also the only woman in the history of the United States to be nominated to one of the top two roles in the country.
"I thought the country was ready to open up its highest positions to everyone," Mondale said. Understanding the irony that countries like India, Bangladesh, New Zealand, Britain, Germany, Chile, and Liberia have had female leaders while America, often perceived as the world’s most advanced democracy, has not, Mondale expressed exasperation while still maintaining hope.
"I think it is a disgrace that no woman has been president or vice president. That is a gap in American life that maybe we will fill in the next election," Mondale said.
Before launching into a question and answer session, Mondale explained his reasons for coming to talk to students at Paly.
"I’d just like to talk with you and discuss questions of history that interest you," Mondale said. "My experiences have been a wonderful way to experience history and experience life."