Walter Mondale was a protege of Hubert Humphrey and was soothing to Democrats who were disturbed by the choice of an outsider.  At the end he probably made a positive difference in the election. This, however, probably cost him any chance at the White House. I remember him saying that he would raise my taxes. This was very honest and he should be applauded for that. It also insured that I wouldn't vote for him in a million years.

Appeared to be a decent choice providing a geographic and a "Washington" balance to the ticket. Worked the first time, but Carters real and perceived ineptitude sank the ticket on the reprise.