Mondale to endorse Clinton

Former Vice President Walter Mondale, the 1984 Democratic presidential nominee, is planning to endorse Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-N.Y.), The Hill has learned.

{mosads}Mondale’s endorsement could prove especially valuable in Iowa, which borders his home state of Minnesota. Mondale won Iowa overwhelmingly in the ’84 primary.

The endorsement is fitting given Mondale’s decision more than two decades ago to select Geraldine Ferraro as his running mate, the first time a woman was tapped to serve on a major party’s presidential ticket. If Clinton wins the Democratic nomination, she would also make history. 

The Clinton campaign did not respond to several requests for comment.

Mondale could not be reached for comment Thursday evening.

Commentators in recent days have drawn parallels between Clinton’s 2008 and Mondale’s 1984 campaigns. As Mondale before her, Clinton has worked hard to cultivate an aura of inevitability around her campaign.

Clinton has shown the same steely discipline that Mondale was known for on the trail; she sticks closely to her campaign script. 

Twenty-four years ago, Mondale locked up union support. Clinton is trying to accomplish the same, although some powerful unions might not endorse a candidate during the primary season.

Last week, Clinton announced the endorsement of the American Federation of Teachers. The International Union of Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers, the National Association of Letter Carriers, the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, and the United Transportation Union have also endorsed Clinton.

Clinton has garnered the endorsements of at least 66 members of Congress, according to a tally by The Hill, far more than any other presidential candidate. Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.), her chief rival, has 27 endorsements.

Not counting former President Bill Clinton, who is supporting his wife’s bid, Mondale is the highest-ranking former government official to formally back a candidate in the Democratic primary. Former President Jimmy Carter, whom Mondale served as vice president from 1977 to 1981, said earlier this year that he would support Al Gore if he decided to run again for president.

As of Thursday evening, Gore had not entered the race, although supporters hope he might change his mind if awarded the Nobel Peace Prize this week. 

Until now, former national security adviser Zbigniew Brzezinski had been the highest-ranking member of the Carter administration to weigh in on the race. He endorsed Obama in August.