Interview with Michael S. Berman, July 20, 2018

Interview Summary

Michael Berman, a former employee under Vice President Walter Mondale, begins the interview by recalling the 1976 Mondale-Carter presidential campaign. Berman describes putting together the executive office staff of President Carter. Additionally, Berman details the preparations undertaken to prepare the vice president's residence to house the Mondale family, who became the first vice presidential family to live there full-time. Berman explains how the Carters and the Mondales differed in their entertaining styles. Bess Abell's role in working for Joan Mondale is also considered. Berman reflects upon his memories of the 1980 Carter presidential campaign and the 1980 Democratic National Convention. Berman describes the transition period between the end of the Carter administration and the beginning of the Reagan administration. Berman evaluates the important role of executive office staff for the president and the vice president. Changes that were made to the Executive Office Building layout are explored. Berman remembers when he went to the Kentucky Derby with Bess and Tyler Abell. Berman talks of how Easter traditions were established by the Mondales in the vice president's residence. A brief history of the vice president's residence is provided. Berman recalls some of the more interesting stories involving the Mondale children as teenagers. Berman also identifies people in pictures during the Carter administration years. Berman articulates the status of his and Walter Mondale's papers in Minnesota. Berman discusses an incident with frozen pipes at the Mondale private residence in Washington, D.C. The work of Ann Stock, a Social Secretary to President Clinton is examined. To conclude the interview, Berman talks of Walter Mondale's health.

Interview Keyword

Bess Abell Walter Mondale Jimmy Carter Joan Mondale Democrats Vice president's residence Rosalynn Carter Entertaining White House Executive Office Building (Washington, D.C.) 1980 presidential campaign 1980 Democratic National Convention Ronald Reagan Theodore Mondale Eleanor Mondale William Mondale Houses Ann Stock

Interview LC Subject

Politicians Washington (D.C.) Staff Kentucky Derby Easter Mondale family Pictures Papers Minnesota Historical Society

Interview Rights

All rights to the interviews, including but not restricted to legal title, copyrights and literary property rights, have been transferred to the University of Kentucky Libraries.

Interview Usage

Interviews may only be reproduced with permission from Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History, University of Kentucky Libraries.