Running mate named today

Press, 13 July 1984, Page 6

Running mate named today

The former American Vice-President, Walter Mondale, settled on his Democratic running mate yesterday and was to present the choice in Minnesota at noon today (5 a.m. New Zealand time). The person’s identity was not disclosed but Representative Geraldine Ferraro’s top aide and husband were reported to be heading for Minnesota. The New York congresswoman, if she is chosen, would be the first woman named to a main party ticket. She was unavailable for comment as reporters flocked to her hotel and to

the airport. C.B.S. news said that Miss Ferraro was the choice and that she had been “noticeably up-beat” during an evening appearance near the Democratic convention site in San Francisco. Speculation also concerned the Governor of Massachusetts, Mr Michael Dukakis, and Tom Bradley, Mayor of Los Angeles. An aide to Miss Ferraro, Eleanor Lewis, was booked on a late-night flight from San Francisco to Minneapolis, although it could not be learned whether Miss Ferraro also had a ticket.

There was a report that her husband, John Zaccaro, was headed for St Paul Minnesota, from New York. Two of Mr Mondale’s Vice-Presidential finalists, Dianne Feinstein, the Mayor of San Francisco, and Henry Cisneros, the Mayor of San Antonio, said that they were not Mr Mbndale’s choice. Miss Ferraro seemed buoyant to reporters who saw her yesterday. Mr Dukakis said that it was flattering to be consid-, ered. Mr Bradley’s spokesman said, “We’re not at liberty to discuss the matter at this time.”

Mr Mondale’s campaign rivals, Gary Hart and Jesse Jackson, were eliminated. Mr Mondale cited substantial differences for not considering Mr Jackson. Mr Cisneros said that he had not heard from Mr Mondale all day. “We have not talked to Mr Mondale tonight and no-one has chartered a plane to Minneapolis,” said an aide. Asked if she was going to Minnesota, Mrs Feinstein replied, “So, I am here. So that answers your question. You can put two and two together if I am here.”