The Story Behind 'You're No Jack Kennedy' | NBC News

As the Kaine-Pence showdown approaches, a look back at what was probably the most memorable put-down in debate history. But did it make a difference?
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The Story Behind 'You're No Jack Kennedy' | NBC News

[@replaybb]

When Quayle compares himself to JFK, you can see the look in Bentsen's face as he's getting ready to tee it up. Hilarious.

[@christinamitchell6796]

Yes his face said "you are delusional" ..lol I loved it, it was so clear.

[@markpeterson3927]

The only comparison Quayle made to JFK was in terms of time served in the Senate.

[@stanen]

Imma bout to end this man's whole career

[@raygordonteacheschess5501]

And Bentsten was comparing Quayle to all the other freshmen.

[@pranavmenon5557]

Mark Peterson yes but he’s trying to imply that as justification for why he can be president and he couldn’t even give a straight answer lol

[@guinnesstrail]

“Gonna go past to the back.” One of the great quotes.

[@ophi7016]

Speech 100

[@cdcoach101]

It sounded like it was gonna be good, and then he said that.

[@neontv2843]

@@cdcoach101 ikr

[@LOLLYPOPPE]

Sounds like something Trump could have said

[@iamjp1]

you know what he meant. he meant go back to the past. confused it with passed. be real, come on. i’m sure you’ve had worse speech fumbles

[@anna-mariahjorth6527]

"That was really uncalled for, senator" "you're the one who was making the comparison, senator" the SASS of this man

[@donray93]

Sounded like he wanted to cry lol, comeback and get him lol say he sounded like the guy off of purge who said "Senator" lol.

[@abjectstorm8749]

1,000th like

[@cjhedberg735]

@Gazzara5 But experience isn't all that makes someone successful. Mindset, personality, intelligence and heart also plays a big role. What Bentsen is pointing out is that "sure, you may have as much political experience as JFK did when he ran for president, but that doesn't mean you are of the same caliber or that you'll be as successful". It was a valid shutdown since by invoking Kennedy's name, Quayle tried to make voters draw a comparison between them. Just ponder why so many Republicans talk about Reagan and how they will be "like Ronald Reagan" or "the next Reagan".

[@danh4435]

Ur pic

[@jasonfaber1463]

Harry Lee that was uncalled for Senator......lol, I just had to say that......

[@nepatrul6075]

Ronald Reagan in the modern day would 100% be a meme lord.

[@laxjs]

And what made you think so? His stupid dad jokes? One of the worst I've ever seen. He was a bozo

[@pr.deltadash1921]

Bob this comment aged poorly

[@rh741]

He dead doe

[@SigaOraYtube]

NE Patrul yeah he is.

[@lafika1634]

BenAffleckisAnOkayActor lol reagen was one of the top 10 best presidents in USA history He is also ww2 veteran and has the best Humor

[@Offsides09]

“I knew Thomas Jefferson”...hahaha. Nicely done.

[@twat240]

TBF I really want to know if Clinton responded "that was uncalled for, senator"

[@Justin.Martyr]

@Boris Lebedenko *BiLL JeFFerson CLinton!!!*

[@spinner771]

the great orator lol the master of concealing racism

[@Justin.Martyr]

*I Know Jesus Christ, & He ain't been around for 2,000yrs.!*

[@keepingitreel...8037]

@@spinner771 ~ Who is the great 'orator?' I know Reagan was considered the great communicator. So "IF" you meant Reagan, that's a typical leftist lie. And the ONLY actual political racists are on the Left. Democrats owned all 4 million slaves, and even "separated families" during slavery. Only Democrats were members of the KKK, and Democrats seceded from the Union and started a Civil War against their own people, just to maintain their slaves. That's Pathetic! Modern Day Democrats have basically enslaved Blacks on the neighbor hood plantations, aka ghettos, or 'the hood.' Democrat policies keep them there with their welfare programs, in which they continue to "separate families." How, you dare ask. The single motherhood among Blacks has risen from 20% to 70% during the war on poverty. That is simply a result of Democrat welfare that offers bigger checks to the mothers, if the father is no longer in the home. Again, Pathetic! Reagan's economy was one of the best ever. Everyone who wanted a job during the 80s had one. Now Trump's economy is the best ever, breaking numerous economic records, including the Lowest Black unemployment in U.S.History! Lowest unemployment in U.S.History for Women, Asians, and Hispanics as well. Black people want jobs too! Democrats never gave them the opportunity. Republicans have! "Results Matter!"

[@MrJo826]

The biggest mic drop is any debate ever. Lloyd absolutely destroyed that dude.

[@colderbeer]

And then it was Defeat City on Election Day.

[@MrCzechers]

ROTFLMAO!!

[@Varianna12]

Sure did. Dukakis was severely beaten, and took Bentsen with him. Dude.

[@spicyfrank1]

You seem to be forgetting "because you'd be in jail" from Trump vs. Hillary

[@Rawk4Life]

Why did he and Dukakis get spanked by Bush and Quayle in the 1988 Election then?

[@snavarro228]

He should have prayed before this debate...

[@JabezGill]

Steven Navarro that was really uncalled for, Senator...I mean Steven.

[@forman208]

@@JabezGill He's the one who was making the comparison, Jabez

[@ajv336]

He probably wasted enough time already

[@hankfrank2436]

Nothing wrong with prayer, - probably prayer had something to do with him becoming VP,

[@hello-oq1uq]

@@ajv336 Atheist moment

[@donwolfberg8419]

"that was really uncalled for"

[@LeighMet]

and I'm one who knew him well

[@showtyme213]

Hahaha he was so mad. Comparing himself to JFK. how was that a cheap shot.

[@polandballofspace4226]

You're the one making the comparison, Senator.

[@3dartistguy]

Qyuales comparison was totally absurd

[@alexlynn2085]

Probably the most pathetic, little bitchiest comeback in debate history

[@raygordonteacheschess5501]

"Ending my political career was really uncalled for, Senator." -- Quayle

[@LinkRocks]

But Quayle ended up being VP.

[@raygordonteacheschess5501]

@@LinkRocksNot a big accomplishment.

[@grammoore]

@@raygordonteacheschess5501 still better than not being vp

[@gfoot9916]

Graham Moore Is it though? Something, something...Doormats and matadors....

[@grammoore]

@@gfoot9916 I think Frank Underwood would agree it's better than not to be.

[@805Bruin]

"You're no Jack Kennedy" wouldn't even be a blip on the radar of inappropriate comments in a debate compared to what goes on in 2020.

[@thinhle3981]

@Stephen Forfer last time I checked, nobody asked

[@munimathbypeterfelton6251]

Plus, it was an intellectual, historically-based comment to boot. That audacity is lost in most American politicians on both sides of the fence today. Now it's all a bunch of mudslinging that gets old real fast.

[@arfootball3565]

Even in 2020 it would've been the highlight of the debate

[@dew9103]

yea it'd probably be the smartest thing said in that entire debate

[@killbot_factory]

I despise Reagan, but "I knew Thomas Jefferson" was pretty funny.

[@juliaj7939]

Why?

[@leinsterfan1802]

Julia J Cause he was old.

[@Frogger-by1cu]

I am thinking she is asking more of why they despised Reagan

[@Varianna12]

Democrats are indeed haters, as you and recent (ANTIFA) people have shown.

[@bk2524]

Donald J. Trump lol "the collapse of the middle class" Reagan oversaw one of the most prosperous decades in American history with goods, services and capital being accessible not only to the middle class, but to the poor and the venturists. Economics draws a pretty straight line from cause to effect.

[@Auditgod]

The phrasing of his response, how he didn’t just say “you’re no Jack Kennedy” but slowly worked his way to it. Hollywood couldn’t do it better.

[@elmunus1]

Does anyone else agree that Reagan was the funniest president? I think even the democrats can agree...

[@forrestweintraub9858]

I dunno, Obama is pretty funny.

[@canefan17]

Eh - hollywood tries to make him funny but it just doesn't seem genuine imo. He doesn't have that quick wit that Reagan (or now Trump) had. But I could see how some find Obama funny.

[@rockie0708]

Forrest Weintraub Obama is not funny and was a terrible leader. A puppet. Each to their own though.

[@juliaj7939]

Trump is also witty.

[@StigRossi]

like Trump isn't a puppet!

[@Heroics64]

To be fair I don't think we've seen another JFK at all from anyone

[@maar9555]

NickGBeats Clinton

[@rfkwouldvebeenaok1008]

@@maar9555 good joke.

[@humbertocellig]

Agree

[@Rey-lg8sx]

There will be no another camelot

[@Brandon210-q4n]

Technically there another Kennedy, Joseph III. Currently he is the Congressman for Massachusett's 4th District and is favoured to take over from Senators Ed Markey or Elizabeth Warren when they retire from the seat, or for governor in three years. A Kennedy may yet return to the White House.

[@frankdmetal23]

He cried in the car afterwards 😂

[@sandboxproductions_youtube]

I would be surprised if that was a true story.

[@munimathbypeterfelton6251]

On Bush's shoulder.

[@broadstreet21]

@@munimathbypeterfelton6251 And then Bush went out the next debate and defended Quayle with a vengeance, even pulling up his credentials, daring a comparison to JFK. I saw it.

[@munimathbypeterfelton6251]

@@broadstreet21 Yep, I saw it too.

[@williamdesmond4289]

What makes this moment even more poignant is how much Lloyd admired Jack. When Lloyd first ran for the House of Representatives in Texas, he reached out to JFK asking if he could use some of Jack’s campaign posters as a template for his own, and Lloyd was even invited to Jack’s wedding. So to hear Dan Quayle try to claim his legacy must have made Lloyd livid. Definitely had to be a cathartic moment for him.

[@gargantuaism]

it's hysterical how Quayle's dopey response of "That was uncalled for" actually got applause like it was a sharp come back.

[@TheDylandProductions]

All the swing voters not giving a ****.

[@alessiodelcastillo1613]

@@TheDylandProductions Ah the 80s

[@joesloadeddiaper3007]

Sounds like something Joe Biden would say at 0:49

[@Aadityasengupta]

​@@joesloadeddiaper3007 i think your overestimating biden

[@Jessica-no7pn]

@@joesloadeddiaper3007 ah yes let’s make fun of Biden’s stutter a disability he can’t control

[@name4877]

Lmaooo his reaction was sooo funny “..that was uncalled for🙁”

[@MeneerNilsson]

Back when the US still cared that someone was qualified for office.....Those were the days!

[@arhanya8552]

back when ppl cared abt not killing babies

[@joyal876]

Just like Hussein obama won because he is black

[@fivestarman5130]

Provident Fund Commissioner back when minorities were discriminated against. When women were treated as second class citizens and thousands died from diseases which are now preventable. Good times...

[@davidamajako961]

@@fivestarman5130 fascinating how you use these three unrelevant things against the care for the qualification of a president. At least you got a lefty side in your heart.

[@SuperBigdude77]

@Stephen this was not the 1940's man what are you talking about

[@sebastianelytron8450]

With all due respect to everything Bentsen did in his life, this was his greatest moment. Absolutely brutal, won the debate and destroyed Quayle in under 10 seconds.

[@broadstreet21]

Mmm, but Quayle still won the election.

[@broadstreet21]

With all due respect, if you watch the whole debate... this clip notwithstanding, Quayle spent most of his time criticizing Dukakis instead of debating Bensen head-on. He did get his point across as Bensen didn't or couldn't defend Dukakis.

[@arnulfoalejo3968]

But lost the election

[@candlercando]

@@arnulfoalejo3968 Bush won the election, Quayle was along for the ride.

[@Gablesman888]

Not exactly. Quayle presaged the Obamic Wonder's line: "We won!" Bentsen's Kennedy comment was the equivalent of the Super Bowl loser scoring the first TD.

[@angelcastaneda529]

A happy 100th birthday to Senator Lloyd Bentsen, and he still believes Dan Quayle is no John F. Kennedy.

[@munimathbypeterfelton6251]

As does the whole rest of the country lol.

[@Briellen_Mellott]

True, but not the issue. Michael Dukakis was no George Bush.

[@angelcastaneda529]

I have a question, if Bentsen was the nominee in ‘88, do you think he would have a shot, or Reagan’s popularity cements Bush’s win already, I was thinking this when I learned a faithless elector in West Virginia (which voted for Dukakis, I still can’t believe it), voted for Bentsen for president and Dukakis for vice president.

[@geoffreyfence9569]

This was tame compared to this year's debates

[@UmarTahir]

Geoffrey Fence Candidates always attack each other's policies and weaknesses, but this statement was different - it was an attack on his character

[@abhishekdas8313]

You would be in Jail Only Rosie o Donald She should be running Trump absolutely killed everyone

[@markhenley3097]

At least 2016 was still an actual debate.

[@DTheAustralian]

@@markhenley3097 It was not. 2016 and 2020 both had terrible debates.

[@alessiodelcastillo1613]

@@DTheAustralian Ohhhhh boy

[@DarkDaelon]

Quayle: “I have as much experience in the Congress as Jack Kennedy did when he sought the presidency” Bentsen: “I’m about to end this mans whole career”

[@jamesrobertkennedy1335]

@@Josh-fb2uf r/woooosh

[@Briellen_Mellott]

He was VP-- you weren't

[@shallow768]

Quayle was the Vice President, Bentsen wasn’t How did he ruin it?

[@ThomasBahamas]

1988: "You're no Jack Kennedy" *Uncalled for* 2016: "Jeb Bush is a mess. Jeb Bush is weak. Jeb Bush is the WORST candidate on this stage BY FAR! Don't even get me started on Baby Marco or Lyin Ted Cruz!" *that's President material*

[@user-pn6cy6wg7n]

Better than SLEEPY Joe.

[@ruggedshark5921]

That's my pres

[@PotterPossum1989]

Russia has entered the chat

[@kayden2119]

@@user-pn6cy6wg7n How so? Please enlighten me on how good trump is.

[@BossySwan]

you’re the one that was making comparisons *S E N A T O R*

[@SJUCityBoy]

"Danny boy. Don't forget your helmet. Mommy is packing your lunch." Vice President Bush.

[@hugomartinez3375]

OMG 😂 Ronald Reagan was making such a funny remark

[@mohamadalrashed9064]

Ronald Reagan would have a bigger online presence than Dwayne Johnson if he lived in 2020

[@claytron3000]

Senator Benson said that to Senator Quayle and got a response as if he shot at Quayle's family. Today, that quip would get crickets. The mud-slinging today is disgusting.

[@LinkRocks]

You can blame the '88 election for the mud slinging of today. That's where it all started. Lee Atwater is the kingpin of mud slinging and he was on the Bush campaign team.

[@alalakjakaja5793]

jarjon76 Blame Reagan.

[@munimathbypeterfelton6251]

@@LinkRocks Finally, somebody agrees with me! And what happened at the beginning of the second-and-final presidential debate of 1988 with the infamous opening question imposed unto Dukakis was a prime example of that.

[@ThomasBahamas]

"If anything happened to Bush god forbid, what is the first thing you do?" Quayle: Umm...oh gosh...uhhh...I would say a prayer...for myself...and this country. That makes me confident

[@m.w.9899]

God he was so out of his league on that stage I couldn't help but being sorry for him, despite him being Bush 1's VP.

[@ThomasBahamas]

Also I didn't see this the first time: "We will win because America cannot afford to lose!" Quayle is the definition of word salad

[@rostamdastan9272]

" I'll hide "

[@guthriebarrett]

I like how Reagan pokes fun at his age by implying hes old enough to know Thomas Jefferson

[@EVOPE]

I may despise Reagan’s policies but that “Thomas Jefferson” one liner was genius

[@luisalberola8419]

I despise people who disrespect the best president of the USA.

[@cronchcrunch]

@@luisalberola8419 disagreeing with someone's political views is not disrespect. That's the point of a democracy. Stop being a naive child.

[@luisalberola8419]

@@cronchcrunch ok boomer

[@cronchcrunch]

@@luisalberola8419 😘

[@o.m.c756]

@@luisalberola8419 Boomers are the ones who love Reagen even though he destroyed the international economy you absolute wetwipe

[@mclougeeborja4406]

Bentsen's at 2:07 be like: "I'm about to end this man's whole speech"

[@anishraja9655]

I am a Democrat, but I have to agree Reagan was one of the most charismatic Republicans I've ever met. I probably wouldn't have voted for him had I been alive in that time, but he had some good jokes. Anyone else remember the "youth and inexperience" one?

[@joeydoherty368]

That was another good one liner. Reagan was definitely one of the most charismatic presidents we ever had. Obama was pretty good too, but I think his charm greatly dissipated over his eight year term. That of course though could also be due to the advent of social media and our information age which makes it difficult for anyone to remain popular.

[@bfsgman]

Wow, Dan Quayle makes Sarah Palin look like a genius.

[@Justin.Martyr]

*Potatoe*

[@ranelgallardo7031]

I wouldn’t go that far

[@IrishCarney]

Quayle graduated from law school and passed the bar exam. Think Palin could have done that?

[@IrishCarney]

@@Justin.Martyr He ignored his instincts and trusted the misspelled flash card. The real scandal was how a school made that error in preparing for a VP visit

[@Justin.Martyr]

@@IrishCarney *Wut are you Talking abut???? The kid had it Right!!! QuayLe, got it wrong!!!!! Instincts????*

[@bryanrussell6679]

You could see the delight in Benson's eyes when Quayle compared himself to JFK. Benson's response was absolutely appropriate according to the thunderous applause.

[@troubledsole9104]

“First, I would say a prayer, and then I would hide under my blanket and stay in bed”.

[@munimathbypeterfelton6251]

And pray some more.

[@bernardfarquharson3275]

"I compare myself to JFK for political points." "Nah, I disagree." pikachu shocked face meme

[@SgtPeppersLonelyHeartsClubBand]

*The question is whether we're gonna go forward to tomorrow, or we're gonna go past to.....to the back!*

[@cjbarna]

Ronald Regan, whatever you think of his politics, was both witty, and classy. Dude had chops....

[@alfiegerzimbke6362]

class is flooding african american communities with crack, apparently

[@kgb5979]

*gives speech* "Sector is clear" "You're no Jack Kennedy" "NOT CLEAR! NOT CLEAR!"

[@tylerjeschke1385]

3:45 Im weak

[@williamm374]

Bentsen's follow up remark was underreported, "You're no George Kennedy either."

[@brianarbenz7206]

"Governor (Clinton), you're no Thomas Jefferson." Right, Thomas Jefferson was a southerner who had extra-marital affairs and opposed mixing religion and state.

[@benselectionforcasting4172]

soooooo...... Half right

[@9some]

well, religion and state separate is great, you dumb

[@gfoot9916]

9some that’s irrelevant

[@SuperDuffyj]

What’s your point about religion and government

[@Tbiblaine23]

Yeah he just helped built America through ingenious innovation, no big deal

[@jameshetu6885]

You got to love the media trying to say Reagan was a hypocrite at the end of this piece. They totally ignore the fact that Reagan wasn't putting down Bill Clinton, he was poking fun at himself for being old enough to have know Thomas Jefferson.

[@tammylewis2408]

Well Jefferson is Bill Clinton's middle name, so Reagan got it partially correct.

[@JavierArveloCruzSantana]

I stand against almost everything President Reagan stood for, but never his sense of humor. Wow. What a great sense of humor.

[@BlueLeopard200]

He was an entertainer by profession.

[@munimathbypeterfelton6251]

@@BlueLeopard200 Yeah, Reagan gave a whole new literal meaning to the term "acting politician."

[@Superstrike_11]

What do you stand against? He brought the economy and military back from disaster, and perhaps more importantly, our national pride. He handled the cold war like a champ. He was a great president, as far as American history is concerned.

[@BallparkHunter]

Reagan has some good quips!

[@42luke93]

It was so rude to say “you’re no Jack Kennedy” after all those nice words that senator said.

[@arfootball3565]

That senator was waffling and deserved to get destroyed

[@imapotato8010]

Jack Kennedy was a Democrat, for a Republican to compare himself with the great Jack Kennedy, is just stupid.

[@mrlukeh3155]

I’m conservative, but I have to admit,that was a great statement.

[@tylerl4320]

I have never laughed so hard at a Reagan one liner😂

[@isaidwtfover]

You ok?

[@xxlionroarxxxxxxxx4438]

Reagan was the sheriff of Nottingham 😅

[@northchurch753]

Dude that wasn't uncalled for that was a straight up mic drop

[@Jonassoe]

"First I'd say a prayer [...] for the country that I'm about to lead." Yeah we all would if it came to that.

[@user-zr6pl6nb6z]

You must be praying fervently since 2021 then.

[@walterzamalis4846]

I love the look on Quayle’s face as Bentsen says “you’re no Jack Kennedy”. It’s a look in the other direction of almost childish denial, while deep down hating and lambasting yourself, knowing that your mocker is right. The poo-eating grin is wiped from his face into a one of deep, sleazy discomfort, in a crumbling fantasy world he created by borderline delusionally comparing himself to the immortal folk hero, JFK, just moments before. The way he holds his lip, internally screaming, is just utter, utter perfection in term of a man learning the hard way not to blow his own trumpet. We need someone to do a psychological and body language breakdown of this moment, it’s fantastic

[@enterndin]

Immortal folk hero

[@kalecccxi333]

In the future, you should take your meds instead of writing schizophrenic fantasies like this

[@firewildboy9831]

I love how Ronald says I knew Thomas Jefferson I was friends with Thomas Jefferson that’s legendary

[@Yobbie72]

This report failed to mention that Dan Quayle had been using the JFK comparison for several weeks on the campaign trail, and that the "you're no Jack Kennedy" line had been scripted before the debate.

[@jshepard152]

That's exactly what I wanted to know.

[@ferabra8939]

It was a beautiful punch to the face, and yes, it was natural that Bentsen replied like he did. Quayle was totally unqualified to be VP. He was probably no worse than W or Trump, though...

[@dashriprock3468]

The most unqualified person ever elected POTUS was Barack Obama.

[@IrishCarney]

Quayle was a veteran, lawyer, congressman, and senator. Similar resume to JFK although not quite as extensive. But saying he was TOTALLY unqualified is an exaggeration.

[@markhenley3097]

@@IrishCarney The only real issue with him was that he was really socially awkward. He already had plenty of political experience at that point.

[@jacobmuraco4276]

@@dashriprock3468 At least he had political experience. I think trump was one of the most inexperienced we’ve ever had. I’m not saying that’s good or bad , but he really did come in a total outsider.

[@thecanadian9105]

@@jacobmuraco4276 That's true and he still did more economically than most Presidents which shocked many people. Including me.

[@Foxygrandpa2131]

Reagan, the original copypasta

[@haidynwendlandt2479]

I love Bentsen's look just like "Dan did you actually just say that?"

[@ATTJ7628]

Funny thing is Quayle ended up in White House and he didn't LMAO

[@alalakjakaja5793]

No he didn’t. The VP doesn’t live in the white house lol.

[@keontehammon638]

Equivalent to “ Who the fook is that guy? “

[@nickmcc123]

Ronald Reagan’s one was better than the jfk one😂😂

[@maroondelight3690]

nick mccormack I don't think so!! Your companion is like Trump and Cristobal Colon!!

[@ryanjavierortega8513]

Haha! Look at Benson’s face when he heard him say that!

[@devinpetersen2387]

Well he was comparing his qualifications to Kennedy so that was a good comparison. I do believe that put down was uncalled for.

[@AYVYN]

You know it was a great line when even a movie actor remembered it half a decade later

[@nick56677]

To put Bentsens age compared to Quayle's into comparison, Dan Quayle is just now the age Bentsen was in 1988! That's how far apart their age difference was.

[@AlBeebe]

"Governor, you're no Thomas Jefferson" got eem!!

[@philtate1029]

Putting politics aside, Ronnie always came across as a thoroughly decent and kind human being.

[@a_literal_brick]

That Reagan joke has me laughing almost 30 years later

[@AK-li5wp]

reagen would had more followers than anyone on twitter I he was alive today

[@DannyBPlays]

Reagan was beloved even though he spent money like crazy and screwed over HW, HW had no choice but to raise taxes because of Reagan's spending. Yet Reagan is praised by Fox news as the best president ever

[@patienceandtime387]

Reagan was making a joke

[@Obi-Wan_Kenobi]

I actually feel bad for Dan Quayle. I looked like he was about to to cry. No, he probably shouldn't have made the comparison, but I still feel so bad for him.

[@hamoodtatari]

Yeah :(

[@Andrewf5251]

Bentsen's face at 2:16 is like - I'm About to End This Man's Whole Career !

[@trackthompson]

2:27 mic drop!!!!!! Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

[@Cashiz88]

Sometimes I really wish that I could go past to the back.

[@andy99ish]

If Quayle had any sense, he would have replied like: I am not John F. Kennedy. And John F. Kennedy is not me. But I do have the same experience as he had, when he sought the presidency.

[@akorn9943]

Ooh that’s good, he should’ve hired you as a speech coach. But my man was too busy trying to learn how to spell potato.

[@andy99ish]

@@akorn9943 LOL :)

[@SuperNovaJinckUFO]

Reagan's not being a hypocrite here, he's making fun of what the Democratic nominee said (and also himself)

[@JL050]

All these flavors and Reagan just had to be salty

[@IblewuponyourfaceIII]

Peter Felton you must not know that Ross Perot was in the 3 Mainstream race for the Presidency. He split the vote for the Republicans that why Clinton won. Bush was a disaster anyway & so was Clinton. We lost either of way.

[@alalakjakaja5793]

Ares god of war Not really. I mean yes you could argue those voters would have been Bush supporters but Perot didn’t win much vote in the swing states or the states the gave the win to Clinton while yes the race probably would have been a bit close nationally had he not been in the race he wouldn’t have done much in terms of the electoral college.

[@tc9634]

I'd love to hear what Reagan would have to say about Trump today

[@brentandrew2419]

He would've liked the way he united the party. I'm more curious what Ronnie would've thought of Bernie!

[@alalakjakaja5793]

Tom Jordan Trump has united the party? How? He bashed every one of them in the primaries and half of them are against him in 2020 a republican even voted to remove him from office? He would have hated him.

[@firemangan2731]

@@alalakjakaja5793 Dude you’re arguing to a Trump supporter. Of cource he/she will always takes whats his candidate says and think everyone wouldnlike him just like any supporters of celebrities always do.

[@Grivian]

You just know that he had practiced that line in advance. Hence the smile because he know he was about to bring a brutal reply

[@ChrisJones-ij3xp]

While Bentsen always savored the burn he delivered, in the long run he felt it to be one of those moments that became a little TOO legendary. He went on to become Secretary of the Treasury under Clinton, contributing to the reduction of the deficit by half a trillion dollars, oversaw a long period of peacetime prosperity, brought in pension, healthcare and environmental reform, etc. etc, but overwhelmingly, the only thing anybody outside of Texas ever seemed to remember was "You're no Jack Kennedy", a remark about his friend (theirs was actually a vague nodding acquaintance) in a losing election.

[@tammylewis2408]

At least he made good on his quote, and did alright afterwards

[@matkodoris9099]

The most iconic burn in the history of American politics.

[@Sunnywastakentoo]

Reagan wasn’t even the subject of the video and he still came in to win a debate.

[@munimathbypeterfelton6251]

Yes, he won the presidential debates against Carter in 1980, Mondale in 1984, and Bush during the Republican Primaries in 1980 as well. But his remark in this video was from the 1992 Republican National Convention, not a debate.

[@Tapas2017]

4 best lines ever spoken in a Vice presidential debate: Benson to Quayle. Senator, I served with Jack Kennedy. I knew Jack Kennedy. Jack Kennedy was a friend of mine. Senator, you are no Jack Kennedy.

[@cheydinal5401]

"That was really uncalled for, senator"

[@waltersulkowski1545]

Cheydinal QUAIL was such an eFFing lightweight.

[@cheydinal5401]

@Stephen Forfer I don't thing fearmongering about one of the most beloved President's religion, who also got assassinated, would have exactly gained them votes

[@cheydinal5401]

@Stephen Forfer Right, so I'm saying you can't win an election based on anti-Catholic sentiments, because the vast majority of voters today aren't anti-Catholic, just as they aren't anti-Irish

[@tonymccaul7159]

Embarrassing even now in 2023! 😖

[@Ainobolic]

You may be President and have a sense of humor' But you may not be Ronald Reagan

[@HRHSiyathokozaMweli]

😂😂😂 “he had a response ready, and he pounced!” 😂😂😂😂😂 “that was really uncalled for” 😭😭😭😭😭😭

[@patricioramosnegrete1192]

The worst part about this was that Bentsen wasn't even close to Kennedy and it is more likely that they were mere acquaintances. Guy walked straight into it

[@geethapg8558]

That button position though😂😂😂😂

[@ziconghuang7139]

1:15 Lieutenant Winters ?

[@willsonbasyal7883]

Major*, Major Winters!

[@sivikasi]

That last “Senator” was so savage. If only this was still what classed as “too far” in debates.

[@TheFunkywhiteboy63]

Reagan's "Jefferson" take- priceless.

[@kharadron3561]

The sarcastic way bentsen said 'senator' is hilarious

[@michaelobrien687]

This sounds like a Trump/Biden banter. Biden being Bentsen, of course.

[@josay3394]

You have the whole squad laughing 😐

[@soulman5]

@@josay3394 i thought it was pretty funny

[@moonlightfishin4113]

Dan Quayl: I know Im no Jack Kennedy. My brain is still in tact.

[@timothythomas853]

You are no jack Kennedy I love that

[@bluedevil0704]

Quayle got the last laugh. Rumor has it Quayle sent Benston a Letter after being inaugurated saying "You are correct, Senator. I am not Jack Kennedy, I am Vice President Quayle."

[@mylifesapokerface6412]

Imagine the endurance his eyes gained from that to hold in the tears from the massive uproar after that

[@archipiratta]

Oooh! Somebody just had "Quayle" for dinner! 🍗🌮 #bbqchicken