U.S. Senator Walter Mondale is contemplating a run for U.S. president. Fundraising has begun, says Mr. French, a Mondale supporter and spokesperson.
U.S. Senator Walter Mondale is contemplating a run for U.S. president. Fundraising has begun, says Mr. French, a Mondale supporter and spokesperson.
SPEAKER 1: He is not announcing that he's running for president. He is announcing that a number of people have indicated they think he should be a serious candidate. And he is about to embark on an effort to find out if they're right. That is to find out whether or not he should be a serious candidate.
SPEAKER 2: I understand that he hopes to make some public appearances around the country in the coming months. And some of the funds that your group hopes to raise will enable him to do that necessary traveling and so on, is that the concept?
SPEAKER 1: Yes, that's right. As you know senators and presidential candidates have to pay their bills, just like the rest of us, and we anticipate that the senator will incur airfare and other travel expenses, hotel expenses will have to spend money on communications and the like. And our object is to provide a vehicle for raising him, just enough money to do this work.
SPEAKER 2: A spokesman for your committee describes the senator as having authorized a modest amount of fundraising probably under $100,000. Now you're the treasurer of the group, is that the general amount of money that you're shooting for?
SPEAKER 1: Yes, I think what we will attempt to raise during the calendar year 1974 will be less than $100,000. I think the $100,000 is really a generous estimate.
SPEAKER 2: Have you begun that effort yet? Do you have any funds at this point?
SPEAKER 1: No. Our bank account is being opened right now and it contains no money.
SPEAKER 2: One final question, Mr. French, why are you involved in this? I gather you'd like to see Walter Mondale as president?
SPEAKER 1: Oh, I would very much like to see Walter Mondale as president. I have been an admirer and supporter of Walter Mondale for years. As you may remember, I was chairman of his volunteer committee in his 1972 reelection campaign here for the United States Senate.
And I believe Walter Mondale is an extraordinarily fine senator and would make an excellent president.
SPEAKER 2: Do you realistically think he has much of a chance nationally?
SPEAKER 1: Yes, I do believe that. I believe all he lacks is national exposure. The people who have seen him in action in the senate think very highly of him. And what I hope our committee will do is give him the opportunity to be seen by more people. I believe that once they see him, they will feel about him as I do.
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