If Walter Mondale's politics differ from the late Sen. Paul Wellstone's, he's not telling.
Instead, the former vice president and Senate hopeful from Minnesota emphasizes their similarities.
"We have a lot in common," Mondale said. "We have the same sense of commitment to social justice in America and we both agree that we shouldn't have a going-alone policy (towards Iraq)."
And the differences?
"I have the Wellstone family's support, and I'm not going to spend the last days of the campaign dwelling on those issues," Mondale said.
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Mondale replaced Wellstone on Tuesday's election ballot after Wellstone died in an Oct. 25 plane crash in northeastern Minnesota. Democrats nominated Mondale, who is running against Republican Norm Coleman.
After a campaign rally in Clay County Sunday, Mondale met with journalists for one-on-one interviews. Here are his responses to some questions asked by The Forum:
Q: If elected, what committees would you request to serve on?
A: I'm not sure yet. I've been promised strong committees. I want to help agriculture. I want to help education. There are a lot of things I want to do."
Q: You've been outspoken about recent corporate scandals. What would you do to improve corporate responsibility?
A: "We need to establish a strong, independent board to regulate the accounting industry.
"This system of ours only works if you can trust the books. Market confidence is a very fragile thing.
"Right now I think one of the major impediments to economic growth in America is that people are sitting on their money. "
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Q: Should there be some permanent provision for crop disaster aid?
A: "I would like to see that. I would vote for it. But I don't want to be up here promising things that have been undeliverable in the past.
"There is authority in the USDA to provide more help, but they are reluctant.
"For now, I think we need to get a bill passed (for 2002 crop disaster aid)."
Readers can reach Forum reporter Jeff Zent at (701) 241-5526
