Transcript of Mondale-Coleman debate

Minneapolis Star-Tribune ^ | 11-4-02

[Oldeconomybuyer]

Text of Monday's debate between U.S. Senate candidates Walter Mondale and Norm Coleman, as transcribed by eMediaMillWorks, Inc.

Walter Mondale, Democrat.

Norm Coleman, Republican.

MAGERS: Welcome to a U.S. Senate debate presented by Minnesota Public Radio and KARE-TV. I'm Paul Magers, and we're broadcasting from the Fitzgerald Theater in downtown St. Paul, where the two leading candidates for the U.S. Senate, Republican Norm Coleman, and Democrat Walter Mondale have come together for their one and only debate prior to tomorrow's election.

[PeoplesRepublicOfWashington]

COLEMAN: Well, thank you Paul and Gary. And it is - we are here under unusual circumstances. We have suffered the launch of a United States senator, and we are all saddened by that.

I hadn't heard about that! Sounds great to me. I don't know which Senator got launched, but I can think of about 50 more that I'd like to see launched. One-way launches, of course.

[CoolCD]

Yes, this is another example of what divides us. I believe in choice. I think these issues should be decided by the women and the family. You do not. You're opposed to it. The Constitution is on my side.

Mr. Vice-President, Roe vs. Wade was a court decision not the Constitution. Abortion isn't mentioned in the Constitution. The part about everyone having the right to life and the pursuit of happiness can apply to both sides. If your pro-life you want the pre-born to have the right to life guaranteed in the Constitution, but if you are pro-choice you want the women to have the right to pursue happiness if they decide that 9 months of carrying a baby and giving them up for abortion if they don't want them is going to ruin their happiness.

[Dems_R_Losers]

My goodness! On paper, Coleman certainly runs away with this debate. Looks to me like he had Mondale on the defensive from the get-go. Loved the questions about terrorism insurance and homeland security - pinned Mondale right to the trial lawyers and federal employee unions. "Shouldn't the president have the same authority that President Carter had?" A classic! Slam the unions while reminding people that Mondale was part of the failed Carter administration! Brilliant!!!

[norton]

And,

"MONDALE: I'm opposed to late-term abortion, but I also know that the Constitution says that you must protect the life and the health of the mother ... "

It's scary to think that he just might believe what he is saying!

[Dahoser]

Coleman did blow the question about the repeal of the marriage penalty, but fortunately that was his only gaffe.

Now, can anyone shed light on this from Mondale:

"Finally, it's the question of, who can get the job done? I know the Senate. I've served in the Senate. I was the president of the Senate. And under the rules, if you will re-elect me, I go into the Senate leadership on the first day."

From what they've been saying about the Louse, he does not go back in with any of his former seniority, how does Mondale say he does? Anyone?

[LetsRok]

From what they've been saying about the Louse, he does not go back in with any of his former seniority, how does Mondale say he does? Anyone?

As a former Vice President and "President of the Senate", he gets more staff, a nicer office, and inclusion in the leadership. This is a load of crap to me since he has been gone for so long.

[Dahoser]

The impression he tried to give is that he gets back his seniority.

[robertpaulsen]

Mondale used the word "trust" six times (Coleman, 0). Probably because you need to, since no one knows where he stands.

[Steven W.]

COLEMAN: Two observations, first, things had gone downhill in this economy before the president got elected. They really went downhill when Jim Jeffords switched parties, from that point on. And the result of that, Mr. Vice President, is that same disaster relief assistance that you're talking about didn't get through the United States Senate. MONDALE: It's passed twice through the United States Senate. COLEMAN: It has not gone through ... MONDALE: It has - twice. COLEMAN: ... a final bill. The bill - the provision, Mr. Vice President, was contained in the interior appropriations bill, and the interior appropriations bill never got through. So they never got to conference committee, and in order to get it done - I certainly don't want to lecture you on Senate rule ... MONDALE: No, I can see that. (LAUGHTER) This was SWEET!

[Libloather]

MONDALE: Don't worry about me and terrorism. I am opposed to it...

Newsflash...

[Liz]

Gee, Fritz, you really oppose terrorism, huh?

Gosh, I feel safe already (blech).

[dano1]

COLEMAN: And I agree that we need to continue to push that forward, so we move from requiring able-bodied folks on welfare, rather than working 30 hours a week, I think it's appropriate, I think it's the right thing to have them work 40 hours as a week.
(snip)
MONDALE: (snip)Your idea shows how we differ. You want to add 10 more hours of work to people who are already nearing unemployment, who are having difficulty making that transition.

I didn't understand this part of the debate. What's the issue with not working 40 hours?

[Fracas]

You know what worries me? There are people who heard this and missed the point.

[Liz]

There'll always be people of that mindset.

I keep thinking how "independent" thinking the Minn voters are....to have actually elected Indy Ventura.

During the debate, Mondale was forced to say (though few believed him) that he would be an Indy voice in DC and not an obsessed Dem.

[Mudboy Slim]

"MONDALE: Don't worry about me and terrorism. I am opposed to it..."

"Newsflash..."

BWAHAHAHA...MUD