An Interview with Ferraro

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On the joys and challenges of her unprecedented candidacy

CONVENTION. Between strategy meetings with Walter Mondale and work sessions with aides who are drafting her acceptance speech, Geraldine Ferraro took time last Saturday afternoon to meet with TIME Correspondent John F. Stacks. Savoring the sun on the deck of a rented Lake Tahoe resort home, Ferraro was relaxed and jocular and occasionally complained about the inevitable "sexist" questions. Her husband John Zaccaro and her daughters Laura and Donna sat near by and sometimes interjected thoughts of their own. Excerpts from the interview:

Q. Did you despair over press reports that you had flunked your interview with Mondale and were not going to be his choice?

A. No. 1 spoke to Fritz Mondale on Sunday morning [July 8], and I was certain that he had not put out that story about our interview. I was also certain that I was still seriously being considered. He told me so. And he's a very honest man.

Q. What was your reaction to the call from Mondale with word of your selection?

A. I was honored and excited and a little bit emotional about the historical meaning of the whole thing. It was not only that it was Gerry Ferraro, but also that it was a woman. And, God, delight!

Q. Even before your selection, Mondale was seen as an underdog in the general election campaign. Polls show mixed reactions to the idea of a woman on the ticket. Do you feel an added burden as a woman?

A. I don't feel like I'm carrying the burden for anything other than doing my job as a candidate for Vice President well—and then doing my job as Vice President well. That's the only responsibility I feel. Walter Mondale is a very strong candidate. I don't have to carry his candidacy. He'll carry it for himself. He's right on the issues, and Ronald Reagan's record is there for Reagan to defend.

Q. There is always the danger in a campaign of gaffes and serious errors. Do you worry about making mistakes and setting back other women in politics?

A. Those are always thoughts that go through your mind. But I'm not concerned about that. We're going to win.

Q. Is it going to be a difficult transition from being an independent member of Congress to being in the No. 2 position on the ticket?

A. I suspect that one of the reasons I was selected is because I deal honestly with the problems that face this nation and because I care. I don't think you're going to see a change in that. I think what you're going to see is that perhaps the free-spirited approach will be done more privately when it comes to discussing issues. I recognize what the job of Vice President is, and I intend to work with Walter Mondale very closely in order to fulfill his commitment to his policies. I don't fudge on issues, and I'm not going to fudge on issues now. How do I deal with being second? What does that mean? Does it mean I have to be No. 1? I like being second in a universe this size. It's as good as being No. 1! Actually, I don't think I'm going to be second: I'm going to be the first Vice President to enjoy being a woman.