Mondale picked three-term Congresswoman Geraldine Ferraro to be his running mate on July 12 , 1984 , making her the first woman nominated for president or vice president by a major U.S. political party . The pick was intended to energize Mondale 's campaign , which it did at first . This effect proved short-lived , however , as it was soon overshadowed by a scandal involving Ferraro 's and her husband 's finances . Shortly before the general election , Mondale defended his choice of Ferraro as his running mate against Reagan , who had recently said that her nomination was not a major breaking point . Mondale replied that he chose Ferraro " because she 's the best , " adding that " She is far better prepared for her position than Mr. Reagan was when he was elected president of the United States . " Mondale officially accepted the Democratic Party 's nomination at the 1984 Democratic National Convention . He delivered his acceptance speech on the night of July 19 , 1984 , climaxing that year 's convention . During the speech , Mondale controversially vowed to raise taxes , but claimed that Reagan would also do so , further claiming that " He wo n't tell you . I just did . " Many observers were surprised by Mondale 's decision to openly call for raising taxes on millions of voters during a presidential election , with Reagan campaign consultant Stuart Spencer telling CBS that " I 've never heard a politician say he is going to raise taxes to 30 million , 40 million , 50 million people in a campaign . " Some of Mondale 's fellow Democrats also distanced themselves from his tax plan
1984 Democratic National Convention
1984 Democratic National Convention
Walter Mondale 1984 presidential campaign