Former Vice President Walter Mondale Hospitalized With Flu

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Former Vice President Walter Mondale is hospitalized with the flu but says he's doing well.

Former Vice President Walter Mondale, center, and Sen. Amy Klobuchar, left, enjoy a laugh during opening remarks prior to Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton taking the oath of office during his inauguration ceremony, Monday, Jan. 5, 2015, in St. Paul, Minn. Dayton is beginning his second term in office. (AP Photo/Jim Mone)

Mondale was supposed to introduce former President Jimmy Carter Friday at the annual Nobel Peace Prize Forum.

Instead, Carter told the crowd that his former vice president was at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester.

Carter said Mondale had gone to the hospital for a routine check-up and was admitted after doctors discovered he had the flu.

Carter said he spoke with the 87-year-old and Mondale told him to tell everyone that he's doing well.

Messages left Friday with the Mayo Clinic and with Mondale's son Ted were not immediately returned to The Associated Press.

Mondale also was a U.S. senator and ambassador to Japan. He unsuccessfully ran for president against Ronald Reagan in 1984.