Posted on 05/23/2006 9:53:31 AM PDT by Perdogg
It looks like Bentsen and Kennedy served in the House together for two terms between 1949 and 1953, but Bentsen didn't run for Senate until 1970. I have no idea how friendly they were, but as young members of the House elected only two years apart, one would assume they were at least on speaking terms.
Quayle set himself up for Bentsen's comment. Not only that, but he had been doing so in previous speeches, so the Democrats could plan for it. It was a stupid thing to do in a national campaign.
That was low yet the liberal media keep playing it as his "best moment".
Lloyd Bentsen flew 50 Bombing Missions over Europe during WWII. How many did you fly in the war? Sir, you're no Lloyd Benson.
I stand corrected. I thought they served in the senate together. But this reenforces my point. Lloyd Bentsen did not "know" JFK. To use his name in a political campaign is beneath contempt.
Anybody have any thoughts on why so many of these great war heroes become mediocre politicians later in life.
Let's ask George Washington.
I've been trying to find a letter he wrote to me over 20 years ago in response to my letter urging him to "do something" about the illegal invasion from south of the border. (as an aside: in pre word processor and/or email days, writing to ones congress critter took more effort)
I do remember his letter sequed into support for the IRA - I guess the connection was we were both talking about foreigners. This from a Texas senator.
I gotta put the blame on Quayle for not having a good retort after that line. Even back then, people knew about JFK's bad points.
"Like John Glenn: a big, solid soldier and a good man who shrank annually once he became a Senator."
Yes, something changes them. I admire who they were, not what they came to be later. The democratic party is detestable. How military heroes would want to join it utterly escapes me.
Quayle was under strict orders from the Bush 41 campaign to be very respectful to Bentson.
They knew that no matter what happened unless Quayle came off too aggressive, then Bush and Quayle would win. But biting his tongue cost Quayle his future in the party.
I would have loved to hear Quayle shoot back. You are right. I am not a John Fitzgerald Kennedy. But you certainly sound like an LBJ to me. If you get elected will you promise they will never shout at you "Hey Hey Bentson say... how many boys did you kill today?'
This is the 2nd time I have posted on Free Republic, although I read it to get a more accurate view of the news.
However, I would like to tell you folks that Sen. Bentson was a gentlemen. He was from South Texas and never forgot where he came from.
While lobbying for support for our Telephone Co-operative, we went to Sen. Bentson's office. We introduced ourselves and he informed us that we (my husband and I) were from his home town. When ever we returned to D.C. Sen Bentson went out of his way to greet us and ask us how things were in South Texas.
He stood tall and proud and was a better representative for us then his Republican counter-part. Now is not the time to deride him. In my book he was a good man. I'm proud to have known him.
I had not heard the bold! That explains the, "You're no JFK" reposte in the debate. I never believed Bensten ad libbed that comment anyway. It was a setup, coached right down to the disapproving look and tone of voice. Quayle was stupid to compare himself to JFK. This and some other gaffs made sure Quayle's career was over with the end of the first Bush administration.
Well, 'served with' and 'knew' are probably accurate. But I doubt he and Kennedy were friends. Maybe I'm wrong on that, but it bothers me that the media didn't seem to do much fact-checking on that one at the time or since. And it's the semi-angered "friend" posturing that gave the line its force. Any evidence as to whether or not it was fraudulent?
As I recall Quayle's response was along the lines of 'I only meant to compare our relative experience when running for national office...' and 'I resent your tone...'.. Not Quayle at his best.
But the media obsession on that brief exchange then and now tells you much of what one needs to know about american media. Obsession in repeating it, much like the 'Dean Yell', but not in evaluating and verifying it.
Still we're left sort of wishing Quayle had said 'Well, Senator, as I said, I have more relevant experience than Senator Kennedy had, I'm better on policy, I don't have any ties to organized crime as he did, .. and you were no friend of Jack Kennedy'.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.