Rest in peace Lloyd Bentsen.

I was a wee lad, but I remember the “You’re no Jack Kennedy” quote. Watching the ‘88 VP debate between Dan Quayle and Bentsen is still a vivid memory. Sure my parents had to explain what the fuss was about, but it is burned into my memory.

It was an interesting scene on the stage, on one side was an experienced Senator, on the other side, another experienced Senator. But one was old, the other young. Quayle, looking to shake the perception that he was young and inexperienced made a comment that he was just as experienced in Congress, as John F. Kennedy was when he ran for 1960 Presidential Election.

In a classic moment of presidential campaign and television history, Bentsen looked at Quayle and said in a reprimanding tone: “Senator, I knew Jack Kennedy. I served with Jack Kennedy. Jack Kennedy was a friend of mine. Senator, you’re no Jack Kennedy.”

And with that, Dan Quayle’s world changed forever. It was a disastrous sound byte for the Bush campaign. All Quayle could manage was a feeble, “That remark was uncalled for, Senator.” But Bentsen kept hammering him. In the end, Bentsen clearly won the debate in the public’s eye, but the Dukakis/Bentsen did not win the election. Still, Bush distanced himself from Quayle after the debate and young candidates will forever study Quayle’s faux paux.