So it sounds like you remember parts of the ‘80s, but not the ‘70s.
Reagan was universally panned as nothing but an extremist, idiot, ignorant actor who misspoke all the time, particularly from when I first became aware of him, which is when he ran against Ford in the primary in ‘76. The vitriol and obsession with Reagan was far, far greater than any that was ever mustered for Quayle. Quayle was supposed to be an affable, stupid but callow rich man’s son, but not evil. (Sort of like early W.) Reagan and Palin on the other hand were large enough threats to get the stupid and evil AND dangerous treatment (which W only earned in his second term).
“universally panned as nothing but an extremist, idiot, ignorant actor who misspoke all the time, particularly from when I first became aware of him, which is when he ran against Ford in the primary in ‘76. The vitriol and obsession with Reagan was far, far greater than any that was ever mustered for Quayle.”
Realize it was pre-pre-pre-internet, but do you know of any anti-Reagan quotes, links, clips? Interviews wherein the same news-idiot that pitched sweet softballs to the opponent, as Gibson did to Obama, tried to administer a civics/history/polysci exam to Reagan?