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| {{short description|Remark made by Lloyd Bentsen in 1988}} | {{short description|Remark made by Lloyd Bentsen in 1988}} | ||
| {{use mdy dates|date=October 2024}} | |||
| ]]] | ]]] | ||
| ]]] | ]]] | ||
| "'''Senator, you're no Jack Kennedy'''" was a remark made during the 1988 United States vice |
"'''Senator, you're no Jack Kennedy'''" was a remark made during the 1988 United States vice presidential debate by ] nominee ] ] to ] nominee Senator ] in response to Quayle's comparison of his experience in ] to that of ], the Democratic 35th ], whom Bentsen knew from their time as congressmen from the ] to ]es. Since then, the words "You're no Jack Kennedy," or some variation on the remark, have become a part of the political lexicon as a way to deflate politicians or other individuals perceived as thinking too highly of themselves.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://content.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,1844704_1844706_1844605,00.html|title=Quayle's Unwelcome Analogy|magazine=]|access-date=September 19, 2018}}</ref> ] (the Democratic presidential nominee) and Bentsen later went on to lose the ] to ] and Quayle, who thus succeeded Bush as vice president of the United States.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.270towin.com/1988_Election/|title=Presidential Election of 1988|website=270toWin.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2016-10-04|title='Senator, you're no Jack Kennedy' almost didn't happen. How it became the biggest VP debate moment in history|url=https://www.latimes.com/politics/la-na-pol-debate-quayle-bentsen-20161004-snap-story.html|access-date=2020-06-04|website=Los Angeles Times|language=en-US}}</ref> | ||
| ==Context== | ==Context== | ||
| The debate was held on October 5, 1988, at the ] in ].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1988/10/06/us/vice-presidential-debate-bentsen-quayle-attack-question-competence-serve.html|author=E. J. Dionne Jr.|title=The Vice Presidential Debate; Bentsen and Quayle Attack on Question of Competence to Serve in the Presidency|work=]|date=October 7, 1988|page=1}}</ref> One of the moderators, ], set the stage by addressing the audience: "Based on the history since World War II, there is almost a 50–50 chance that one of the two men here tonight will become |
The debate was held on October 5, 1988, at the ] in ].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1988/10/06/us/vice-presidential-debate-bentsen-quayle-attack-question-competence-serve.html|author=E. J. Dionne Jr.|title=The Vice Presidential Debate; Bentsen and Quayle Attack on Question of Competence to Serve in the Presidency|work=]|date=October 7, 1988|page=1}}</ref> One of the moderators, ], set the stage by addressing the audience: "Based on the history since ], there is almost a 50–50 chance that one of the two men here tonight will become president of the United States." | ||
| From ] in ] up to the time of the debate, no sitting vice president had been ''elected'' president. Republican ] hoped to become the first one since that time.<ref name="UPI">{{cite news |last1=Mianowany|first1=Joseph|title=Bush defeats Dukakis to become 41st president |url=https://www.upi.com/Archives/1988/11/09/Bush-defeats-Dukakis-to-become-41st-president/6411193270882/ |work=UPI |date=9 November 1988}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Apple |first1=R. W. Jr.|title=THE REPUBLICANS IN NEW ORLEANS: Man in the News; A Self-Effacing Nominee: George Herbert Walker Bush |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1988/08/18/us/republicans-new-orleans-man-self-effacing-nominee-george-herbert-walker-bush.html |work=The New York Times |date=18 August 1988}}</ref> | |||
| After Quayle became Bush's vice |
After Quayle became Bush's vice presidential running mate, questions were raised in the press about his age (he was 41 at the time); his limited term of service in the Senate; his grades in college; his ] duty (which ] claimed helped him avoid serving in the military during the ]);<ref>{{cite book|last=Isaacs|first=Arnold R.|title=Vietnam Shadows|publisher=JHU Press|year=2000|pages=43|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-wJv7TzkVSYC&pg=PA43 | ||
| |isbn=0-8018-6344-9}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1988/08/23/us/reopening-old-wound-quayle-s-guard-duty-vietnam-war-era-puts-focus-again.html|title=Reopening an Old Wound; Quayle's Guard Duty in Vietnam War Era Puts the Focus Again on| |
|isbn=0-8018-6344-9}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1988/08/23/us/reopening-old-wound-quayle-s-guard-duty-vietnam-war-era-puts-focus-again.html|title=Reopening an Old Wound; Quayle's Guard Duty in Vietnam War Era Puts the Focus Again on|first=E.J.|last=Dionne Jr.|date=August 23, 1988|work=The New York Times}}</ref> and his overall ability to lead the nation in the case of the incapacitation of the president, which became a central issue in the 1988 debate. | ||
| Quayle had routinely been comparing himself to Kennedy in his ].<ref>https://www.latimes.com/politics/la-na-pol-debate-quayle-bentsen-20161004-snap-story.html</ref> | Quayle had routinely been comparing himself to Kennedy in his ].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/politics/la-na-pol-debate-quayle-bentsen-20161004-snap-story.html|title='Senator, you're no Jack Kennedy' almost didn't happen. How it became the biggest VP debate moment in history|date=October 4, 2016|website=Los Angeles Times}}</ref> | ||
| ⚫ | In a mock debate with ], Bentsen used the casual remark "you're no Jack Kennedy and George Bush is no ]."<ref>Germond & Witcover 1989:440.</ref> | ||
| ] adviser ] recalled in 2004:<ref name=estrich>Susan Estrich: "", ] September 2004 (copy at the Internet Archive)</ref> | |||
| ⚫ | Quayle did not directly compare himself with Kennedy in terms of accomplishment, but in terms of length of congressional service; Quayle served for 12 years while Kennedy served for 14. When Kennedy successfully sought the Democratic nomination in 1960, he had less experience than his primary opponents, most of whom had more seniority in the Senate. While it was a (loose) statement of fact, some of Quayle's advisors suggested that this comparison could cause trouble.<ref name="pbs.org">{{cite web|url=https://www.pbs.org/newshour/spc/debatingourdestiny/interviews/quayle.html|title=Vice President Dan Quayle Interview - Debating Our Destiny|date=December 2, 1999|publisher=]|website=www.pbs.org|access-date=September 19, 2018}}</ref> | ||
| <blockquote>Three days , in rehearsal, had been shocked when the Dan Quayle stand-in compared himself to Jack Kennedy. "Does he really do that?", Bentsen asked at the time. He did. "Can I say something?", Bentsen, ever the gentleman, asked us. We nodded enthusiastically. So as we sat backstage, and heard Quayle compare himself to Kennedy, I turned to the key supporters gathered in the holding room and said, "Here it comes." And it did.</blockquote> | |||
| ⚫ | In a mock debate with ], Bentsen used the casual remark "you're no Jack Kennedy and George Bush is no ]."<ref>Germond & Witcover 1989:440.</ref> | ||
| ⚫ | Quayle did not directly compare himself with Kennedy in terms of accomplishment, but in terms of length of |
||
| ==Transcript== | ==Transcript== | ||
| The relevant portion of a transcript of the 1988 vice-presidential debates from the ]: | |||
| {{blockquote| | |||
| The relevant portion of that transcript follows: | |||
| {{quote| | |||
| ''']''': Senator Quayle, I don't mean to beat this drum until it has no more sound in it. But to follow up on ]'s question, when you said that it was a hypothetical situation, it is, sir, after all, the reason that we're here tonight, because you are running not just for Vice President—''(Applause)''—and if you cite the experience that you had in Congress, surely you must have some plan in mind about what you would do if it fell to you to become President of the United States, as it has to so many Vice Presidents just in the last 25 years or so. | ''']''': Senator Quayle, I don't mean to beat this drum until it has no more sound in it. But to follow up on ]'s question, when you said that it was a hypothetical situation, it is, sir, after all, the reason that we're here tonight, because you are running not just for Vice President—''(Applause)''—and if you cite the experience that you had in Congress, surely you must have some plan in mind about what you would do if it fell to you to become President of the United States, as it has to so many Vice Presidents just in the last 25 years or so. | ||
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| '''Quayle''': That was really uncalled for, Senator. ''(Shouts and applause.)'' | '''Quayle''': That was really uncalled for, Senator. ''(Shouts and applause.)'' | ||
| '''Bentsen''': You are the one that was making the comparison, Senator—and I'm one who knew him well. And frankly I think you are so far apart in the objectives you choose for your country that I did not think the comparison was well-taken.}} | '''Bentsen''': You are the one that was making the comparison, Senator—and I'm one who knew him well. And frankly I think you are so far apart in the objectives you choose for your country that I did not think the comparison was well-taken.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.debates.org/index.php?page=october-5-1988-debate-transcripts|title = CPD: October 5, 1988 Debate Transcripts}}</ref>}} | ||
| ==Aftermath== | ==Aftermath== | ||
| Quayle's reaction to Bentsen's comment was played and replayed by the Democrats in their subsequent television ads as an announcer intoned: "Quayle: just a heartbeat away." It proved sure-laugh fodder for comedians, and more and more editorial cartoons depicted Quayle as a child. '']'' |
Quayle's reaction to Bentsen's comment was played and replayed by the Democrats in their subsequent television ads as an announcer intoned: "Quayle: just a heartbeat away." It proved sure-laugh fodder for comedians, and more and more editorial cartoons depicted Quayle as a child. '']'' used a child actor to portray Quayle in several sketches.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/tv/tv-lists/public-meltdowns-and-profane-dames-20-off-the-hook-emmy-moments-24081/candice-bergen-mocks-dan-quayle-1992-171901/|title=Public Meltdowns and Profane Dames: 20 Off-the-Hook Emmy Moments|author=Kroll, Katy|magazine=]|date=August 18, 2014|access-date=September 19, 2018}}</ref> | ||
| Avoiding going head-to-head with a seasoned Bentsen, Quayle had spent the debate criticizing presidential nominee ] as too liberal.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.indystar.com/story/opinion/2017/01/17/reassessment-dan-quayle-vice-president/96670656/|title=A reassessment: Dan Quayle as vice president|author=Goldstein, Joel K.|work=Indy Star|date=January 17, 2017| |
Avoiding going head-to-head with a seasoned Bentsen, Quayle had spent the debate criticizing presidential nominee ] as too liberal.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.indystar.com/story/opinion/2017/01/17/reassessment-dan-quayle-vice-president/96670656/|title=A reassessment: Dan Quayle as vice president|author=Goldstein, Joel K.|work=Indy Star|date=January 17, 2017|access-date=September 19, 2018}}</ref> Quayle felt that he had successfully got that message across since Bentsen did not defend Dukakis.<ref name="pbs.org"/> | ||
| The Bush–Quayle ticket defeated |
The Bush–Quayle ticket defeated Dukakis–Bentsen in the ] by a margin of 8% of the popular vote and an electoral landslide, with the Democrats winning only ten states.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1988/11/09/us/1988-elections-bush-elected-6-5-margin-with-solid-gop-base-south-democrats-hold.html|author=E. J. Dionne Jr.|title=The 1988 Elections; Bush is Elected by a 6-5 Margin With Solid G.O.P. Base in South; Democrats Hold Both Houses How the Poll Was Taken|work=The New York Times|date=November 9, 1988}}</ref> Dukakis never sought elected office again, completing his term as Governor in January 1991, while Bentsen ] and served until his appointment as ] in January 1993. | ||
| ==Legacy== | ==Legacy== | ||
| ⚫ | Four years later at the ], ] answered claims by ]'s campaign, while poking fun at his own age, by saying, "This fellow they've nominated claims he's the new ]. Well, let me tell you something. I knew Thomas Jefferson. He was a friend of mine. And governor, you're no Thomas Jefferson."<ref>{{cite news|work=The New York Times|title=In Their Own Words: The Overview; Bush Vows A Tough Campaign As G.O.P. Opens Its Convention|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1992/08/18/education/their-own-words-overview-bush-vows-tough-campaign-gop-opens-its-convention.html?pagewanted=1|date=August 18, 1992|author=Toner, Robin}}</ref> | ||
| === United States === | |||
| ⚫ | At the ] during his opening statement, Democratic nominee ] took a humorous shot at |
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| ⚫ | Four years later at the ], ] answered claims by ]'s campaign, while poking fun at his own age, by saying, "This fellow they've nominated claims he's the new ]. Well, let me tell you something. I knew Thomas Jefferson. He was a friend of mine. And ], you're no Thomas Jefferson."<ref>{{cite news|work=The New York Times|title=In Their Own Words: The Overview; Bush Vows A Tough Campaign As G.O.P. Opens Its Convention|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1992/08/18/education/their-own-words-overview-bush-vows-tough-campaign-gop-opens-its-convention.html?pagewanted=1|date=August 18, 1992|author=Toner, Robin}}</ref> | ||
| ⚫ | At the ] during his opening statement, Democratic nominee ] took a humorous shot at Quayle over the Jack Kennedy comparison. Quayle was running for re-election and trying to make up for his performance in the 1988 debate. Gore was also taking a shot at President ]'s comparisons of the accomplishments of his administration to that of ]. Gore said to Quayle, "I'll make you a deal this evening. If you don't try to compare George Bush to Harry Truman, I won't compare you to Jack Kennedy." The audience reacted with laughter.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1992/10/14/us/the-1992-campaign-excerpts-from-the-debate-among-quayle-gore-and-stockdale.html|title=THE 1992 CAMPAIGN; Excerpts From the Debate Among Quayle, Gore and Stockdale|date=October 14, 1992|work=The New York Times}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.debates.org/index.php?page=october-13-1992-debate-transcript|title=CPD: October 13, 1992 Debate Transcript|website=www.debates.org}}</ref> | ||
| ⚫ | In 2008, Ronald Reagan's daughter ] paraphrased the quotation in reference to a number of presidential candidates invoking her father's name during the ], "Where is Lloyd Bentsen when you need him? 'I knew Ronald Reagan{{nbsp}}... senator (or governor), you're no Ronald Reagan.{{'"}}<ref>{{cite news|work=The New York Times|title=The Gipper Gap: In Search of Reagan|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/20/weekinreview/20broder.html |date=January 20, 2008|access-date=September 19, 2018|author=Broder, John M.}}</ref> | ||
| ⚫ | At the ], Vice President ] made a similar statement in reaction to Republican vice presidential nominee ]'s citation of a policy taken by President Kennedy. Biden quipped at Ryan, "Oh, now you're Jack Kennedy?" to laughter.<ref>{{cite news|work=NBC Politics|title=Biden plays aggressor in debate as Ryan makes GOP case|url=http://nbcpolitics.nbcnews.com/_news/2012/10/11/14376267-biden-and-ryan-tangle-in-free-wheeling-debate?lite|date=October 11, 2012|access-date=September 19, 2018|last=O'Brien|first=Michael}}</ref> | ||
| During the eleventh ] moderated by ], ] and ] ] delivered his own version of the line saying, "You know, we hear about Ronald Reagan rebuilding the military. I was there when Ronald Reagan rebuilt the military. I worked with him. I was there when Ronald Reagan rebuilt the economy. I was there, and I worked with him. I knew Ronald Reagan. And I'll leave it right there with what comes after that. You can figure that one out."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Times |first=Alan Rappeport, Maggie Haberman, Nicholas Confessore and The New York |date=2016-03-03 |title=11th Republican Debate: Analysis |url=https://www.nytimes.com/live/republican-debate-in-detroit-2016/ |access-date=2023-11-09 |website=The New York Times Politics and Washington |language=en}}</ref> | |||
| ⚫ | In 2008, Ronald Reagan's daughter ] paraphrased the quotation in reference to a number of presidential candidates invoking her father's name during the ], "Where is Lloyd Bentsen when you need him? 'I knew Ronald Reagan |
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| ⚫ | At the ], former Reagan administration official Doug Elmets, referencing the ] of ], stated, "I'm here tonight to say: I knew Ronald Reagan. I worked for Ronald Reagan. Donald Trump, you are no Ronald Reagan."<ref>{{cite news|work=The Hill|title=Former Reagan official to Trump: 'You are no Ronald Reagan'|url=https://thehill.com/blogs/ballot-box/presidential-races/289703-former-reagan-official-to-trump-you-are-no-ronald-reagan|date=July 28, 2016|access-date=September 19, 2018|author=Easley, Jonathan}}</ref> | ||
| ⚫ | In October 2012, at the UK ] in Birmingham, Foreign Secretary ] made a response to a speech that Labour leader ] had given at his own party conference in the previous week, in which Miliband compared his party with ]'s ] ideology. Hague said, "To borrow a turn of phrase, we were led by Disraeli, our predecessors knew Disraeli, Disraeli was a Conservative through and through, and, Ed Miliband, you are no Disraeli."<ref>{{cite news| |
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| ⚫ | On November 25, 2017, ] ] posted on Twitter, comparing herself to the character ] from '']'' on an incident involving a situation where the White House was receiving one of the White House Thanksgiving turkeys set to be pardoned by President Donald Trump. After her tweet, actor ], who portrayed ] ] on the show, replied saying "I know C.J. Cregg. C.J. Cregg is a friend of mine. You're no C.J. Cregg." Actress ], who played C.J. in the series, also replied, thanking Whitford for his sentiment.<ref>{{cite news|work=Newsweek|title=West Wing Cast Hits Out At Sarah Huckabee Sanders: 'You're no C.J. Cregg'|url=https://www.newsweek.com/west-wing-cast-hits-out-sarah-huckabee-sanders-youre-no-cj-cregg-722485|date=November 25, 2017|access-date=September 19, 2018|author=Sinclair, Harriet}}</ref> | ||
| ⚫ | At the ], Vice President ] made a similar statement in reaction to Republican vice presidential nominee ]'s citation of a policy taken by President Kennedy. Biden quipped at Ryan, "Oh, now you're Jack Kennedy?" to laughter.<ref>{{cite news|work=NBC Politics|title=Biden plays aggressor in debate as Ryan makes GOP case|url=http://nbcpolitics.nbcnews.com/_news/2012/10/11/14376267-biden-and-ryan-tangle-in-free-wheeling-debate?lite|date=October 11, 2012| |
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| === Elsewhere === | |||
| ⚫ | At the ], former Reagan administration official Doug Elmets, referencing the ], stated, "I'm here tonight to say: I knew Ronald Reagan. I worked for Ronald Reagan. Donald Trump, you are no Ronald Reagan."<ref>{{cite news|work=The Hill|title=Former Reagan official to Trump: 'You are no Ronald Reagan'|url=https://thehill.com/blogs/ballot-box/presidential-races/289703-former-reagan-official-to-trump-you-are-no-ronald-reagan|date=July 28, 2016| |
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| ⚫ | In October 2012, at the UK ] in Birmingham, Foreign Secretary ] made a response to a speech that Labour leader ] had given at his own party conference in the previous week, in which Miliband compared his party with ]'s ] ideology. Hague said, "To borrow a turn of phrase, we were led by Disraeli, our predecessors knew Disraeli, Disraeli was a Conservative through and through, and, Ed Miliband, you are no Disraeli."<ref>{{cite news|date=October 7, 2012|title=Conservative conference: Miliband no Disraeli, says Hague|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-19864819|access-date=2012-07-10}}</ref> | ||
| In June 2017, after the ] of ] ] nominated former ] ] as a judge to the Court of Appeals and was accused of pressuring ] ] to sign off on her confirmation, he claimed appointments like this have precedent such as in the cases of ], ] and ]. ] Leader ] claimed it "stunk to high heaven" and quipped "with the greatest of respect, Máire Whelan is no Frank Clarke, is no Adrian Hardiman, and is no Donal O'Donnell."<ref>{{cite news| |
In June 2017, after the Irish ] ] nominated former ] ] as a judge to the Court of Appeals and was accused of pressuring ] ] to sign off on her confirmation, he claimed appointments like this have precedent such as in the cases of ], ] and ]. ] Leader ] claimed it "stunk to high heaven" and quipped "with the greatest of respect, Máire Whelan is no Frank Clarke, is no Adrian Hardiman, and is no Donal O'Donnell."<ref>{{cite news|author=O'Regan, Michael|date=June 20, 2017|title=Taoiseach defends new judge amid Micheal Martin criticism|work=Irish Times|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/news/politics/oireachtas/taoiseach-defends-new-judge-amid-miche%C3%A1l-martin-criticism-1.3127028|access-date=September 19, 2018}}</ref> | ||
| ⚫ | On June 10, 2019, Canadian actor ], grandson of former ] leader and Saskatchewan Premier ], posted a statement on Twitter, directed at Ontario ] Premier ] and responding to ], a Minister in Ford's government, comparing their government's provincial budget to Douglas's fiscal record. The statement included the phrase, "I knew Tommy Douglas and you Sir, are no Tommy Douglas".<ref>{{cite web| url = https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/kiefer-sutherland-tweet-tommy-douglas-doug-ford-lisa-macleod-1.5169288| title = Stop using my grandpa's name, actor Kiefer Sutherland tells Doug Ford {{!}} CBC News}}</ref> | ||
| ⚫ | On November 25, 2017, ] ] posted on Twitter, comparing herself to the character ] from '']'' on an incident involving a situation where the White House was receiving one of the White House Thanksgiving turkeys set to be pardoned by President |
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| ⚫ | On June 10, 2019 actor ], grandson of former ] leader and Saskatchewan Premier ], posted a statement on Twitter, directed at Ontario ] Premier ] and responding to ], a Minister in |
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| ===Parodies and popular media=== | ===Parodies and popular media=== | ||
| References to and parodies of the famous quotation have often appeared in popular culture. | References to and parodies of the famous quotation have often appeared in popular culture. | ||
| * On an episode of '']'', several candidates for the Democratic nomination for |
* On an episode of '']'', several candidates for the Democratic nomination for president of the United States were debating each other at a time when ] ] was enjoying enormous popularity in the polls. All of the candidates tried to make the other ones look good since no one wanted to face Bush in the election. At one point, Bentsen, played by host ], remarked, "I knew Jack Kennedy, I worked with Jack Kennedy. I am no Jack Kennedy." | ||
| * In the ] film ], during the wedding, Ursula's |
* In the ] film '']'', during the wedding, Ursula's mother (]) — pouting over multiple appearances of gorillas — complains to her husband, "Arthur, I wish you could do something about these monkeys. I feel like ]". Ape (voiced by ]) replies, "Madam, I knew Jane Goodall, and you are no Jane Goodall." | ||
| * In the '']'' episode "This Old Man", |
* In the '']'' episode "This Old Man", Dan Fielding (]), while running for the ], spends the night with a wealthy woman who claims to have (for similar prurient reasons) donated a large sum to John F. Kennedy's campaign; the next morning, Dan is outraged to receive a pittance in the mail, along with a note: "Dear Dan, you're no Jack Kennedy." | ||
| * In the '']'' episode "]", ] tells ] in a presidential-style debate: "Miss Lemon, I know ]. I own a ] with Scottie Pippen. And you, sir, look like Scottie Pippen." | * In the '']'' episode "]", ] tells ] in a presidential-style debate: "Miss Lemon, I know ]. I own a ] with Scottie Pippen. And you, sir, look like Scottie Pippen." | ||
| * In the '']'' episode "]", while chewing out ], Sheila tells her, "I knew ]. I worked with Fey Sommers. I once made out with Fey Sommers. You are no Fey Sommers." (Fey was the late editor of ''Mode'', the magazine Betty worked for.)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.quotes.net/mquote/946485|title=Ugly Betty |work=Quotes| |
* In the '']'' episode "]", while chewing out ], Sheila tells her, "I knew ]. I worked with Fey Sommers. I once made out with Fey Sommers. You are no Fey Sommers." (Fey was the late editor of ''Mode'', the magazine Betty worked for.)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.quotes.net/mquote/946485|title=Ugly Betty |work=Quotes|access-date=October 22, 2016}}</ref>{{Better source needed|reason=Just some random web site|date=October 2016}}<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.jerriblank.com/betty/ugly-betty_quotes.html|title=My Favorite Quotes From "Ugly Betty|work=Ugly Is The New Beautiful|access-date=October 22, 2016}}</ref>{{Better source needed|reason=Just some random web site|date=October 2016}} | ||
| * |
* In the '']'' episode "Secret Society", the ] attempts to interrogate a thug by dangling him off the ledge of a building. The thug jibes, "Who do you think you are, ]? Look, buddy, I know Batman, I once ratted out a counterfeiter to Batman, and believe me, you are no Batman." | ||
| * In the 2001 film '']'', ]'s character Jamal gives a speech criticizing one of the film's antagonists, saying, "King Leo. He thinks he's ]. Well I know King Arthur. And you, King Leo, are no King Arthur!" | * In the 2001 film '']'', ]'s character Jamal gives a speech criticizing one of the film's antagonists, saying, "King Leo. He thinks he's ]. Well I know King Arthur. And you, King Leo, are no King Arthur!" | ||
| * The ] song "I Know Jack" from the album '']'' contains the soundbite.<ref>http://www.megadeth.com/track/i-know-jack</ref> | * The ] song "I Know Jack" from the album '']'' contains the soundbite.<ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.megadeth.com/track/i-know-jack| url-status = dead| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20131019050445/http://www.megadeth.com/track/i-know-jack| archive-date = 2013-10-19| title = I Know Jack {{!}} Megadeth.com}}</ref> | ||
| * In the '']'' episode Spike Runs Away, Tommy says to Chuckie, "Chuckie, I knew Spike, Spike was a friend of mine. And let me tell you, that poodle is no Spike!" | * In the '']'' episode "Spike Runs Away", Tommy says to Chuckie, "Chuckie, I knew Spike, Spike was a friend of mine. And let me tell you, that poodle is no Spike!". | ||
| * In the |
* In the 1999 film '']'', Olive compares herself to other reindeer, causing her friend, Martini, to utter "Listen, Olive, I worked with reindeer. Reindeer are friends of mine. You, Olive, are no reindeer." | ||
| * In the |
* In the 2002 film '']'', after the Tooth Fairy is caught by Scott Calvin, who is trying to return to the North Pole, Scott tries to tell him that he is Santa. The Tooth Fairy replies, "I know Santa. Santa is a friend. And you sir, are no Santa." | ||
| * In the '']'' season 1 episode "Deep Cover for Batman!", Batman's disguise as Owlman is thwarted by Dyna-mite who corners him, saying "I know Owlman. Owlman is a friend of mine. You sir, are no Owlman." | |||
| * In ] episode, "It's All About Comptrol", Beverly Goldberg says during a debate, "I know Dodd Wembley. Dodd Wembley is a friend of mine. You, sir, are no Dodd Wembley." Her opponent, Dodd Wembley, responds, "I literally am Dodd Wembley." | |||
| * In the '']'' episode "A Very Big Mouth Christmas", Santa Claus says "I know the Easter Bunny, I work with the Easter Bunny, and you, sir, are no Easter Bunny!" | |||
| * In the ] commentary for the film '']'' (1994), ] says "Yeah, you know if ] had taken that headshot, the robot would be toast." ] replies "I served with John Wick. I knew John Wick. John Wick was a friend of mine. ], you are no John Wick." | |||
| *In a season three episode of Canadian sitcom '']'', "Dog River Vice," Emma Leroy says to her husband Oscar: "Oscar, I have known Ukrainians. I have worked with Ukrainians, and you sir, are no Ukrainian." | |||
| ==Notes== | ==Notes== | ||
| Line 92: | Line 98: | ||
| ==External links== | ==External links== | ||
| * {{cite news|author=Holley, Joe|date=May 24, 2006|title=Lloyd Bentsen; Texas Senator, Vice Presidential Candidate |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/05/23/AR2006052300593.html| |
* {{cite news|author=Holley, Joe|date=May 24, 2006|title=Lloyd Bentsen; Texas Senator, Vice Presidential Candidate |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/05/23/AR2006052300593.html|newspaper=]|page=B06|postscript=. (Obituary.)}} | ||
| * {{cite video|title="You are no Jack Kennedy"|url=https://www. |
* {{cite video|title="You are no Jack Kennedy"|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mMaEC-C4Y20 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/mMaEC-C4Y20 |archive-date=2021-12-21 |url-status=live}}{{cbignore}} A video excerpt from the 1988 vice presidential debate. | ||
| {{Dan Quayle}} | |||
| {{United States presidential debates}} | {{United States presidential debates}} | ||
| {{United States presidential election, 1988}} | {{United States presidential election, 1988}} | ||
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Latest revision as of 13:19, 2 December 2024
Remark made by Lloyd Bentsen in 1988
"Senator, you're no Jack Kennedy" was a remark made during the 1988 United States vice presidential debate by Democratic nominee Senator Lloyd Bentsen to Republican nominee Senator Dan Quayle in response to Quayle's comparison of his experience in Congress to that of John F. Kennedy, the Democratic 35th president of the United States, whom Bentsen knew from their time as congressmen from the 80th to 82nd Congresses. Since then, the words "You're no Jack Kennedy," or some variation on the remark, have become a part of the political lexicon as a way to deflate politicians or other individuals perceived as thinking too highly of themselves. Michael Dukakis (the Democratic presidential nominee) and Bentsen later went on to lose the 1988 United States presidential election to George H. W. Bush and Quayle, who thus succeeded Bush as vice president of the United States.
Context
The debate was held on October 5, 1988, at the Civic Auditorium in Omaha, Nebraska. One of the moderators, Judy Woodruff, set the stage by addressing the audience: "Based on the history since World War II, there is almost a 50–50 chance that one of the two men here tonight will become president of the United States."
From Martin Van Buren in 1836 up to the time of the debate, no sitting vice president had been elected president. Republican George H. W. Bush hoped to become the first one since that time.
After Quayle became Bush's vice presidential running mate, questions were raised in the press about his age (he was 41 at the time); his limited term of service in the Senate; his grades in college; his National Guard duty (which Democrats claimed helped him avoid serving in the military during the Vietnam War); and his overall ability to lead the nation in the case of the incapacitation of the president, which became a central issue in the 1988 debate.
Quayle had routinely been comparing himself to Kennedy in his stump speech.
In a mock debate with Dennis E. Eckart, Bentsen used the casual remark "you're no Jack Kennedy and George Bush is no Ronald Reagan."
Quayle did not directly compare himself with Kennedy in terms of accomplishment, but in terms of length of congressional service; Quayle served for 12 years while Kennedy served for 14. When Kennedy successfully sought the Democratic nomination in 1960, he had less experience than his primary opponents, most of whom had more seniority in the Senate. While it was a (loose) statement of fact, some of Quayle's advisors suggested that this comparison could cause trouble.
Transcript
The relevant portion of a transcript of the 1988 vice-presidential debates from the Commission on Presidential Debates:
Tom Brokaw: Senator Quayle, I don't mean to beat this drum until it has no more sound in it. But to follow up on Brit Hume's question, when you said that it was a hypothetical situation, it is, sir, after all, the reason that we're here tonight, because you are running not just for Vice President—(Applause)—and if you cite the experience that you had in Congress, surely you must have some plan in mind about what you would do if it fell to you to become President of the United States, as it has to so many Vice Presidents just in the last 25 years or so.
Quayle: Let me try to answer the question one more time. I think this is the fourth time that I've had this question.
Brokaw: The third time.
Quayle: Three times that I've had this question—and I will try to answer it again for you, as clearly as I can, because the question you're asking is, "What kind of qualifications does Dan Quayle have to be president," "What kind of qualifications do I have," and "What would I do in this kind of a situation?" And what would I do in this situation? ... I have far more experience than many others that sought the office of vice president of this country. I have as much experience in the Congress as Jack Kennedy did when he sought the presidency. I will be prepared to deal with the people in the Bush administration, if that unfortunate event would ever occur.
Judy Woodruff: Senator Bentsen?
Bentsen: Senator, I served with Jack Kennedy. I knew Jack Kennedy. Jack Kennedy was a friend of mine. Senator, you're no Jack Kennedy. (Prolonged shouts and applause.) What has to be done in a situation like that is to call in the—
Woodruff: (Admonishing applauders) Please, please, once again you are only taking time away from your own candidate.
Quayle: That was really uncalled for, Senator. (Shouts and applause.)
Bentsen: You are the one that was making the comparison, Senator—and I'm one who knew him well. And frankly I think you are so far apart in the objectives you choose for your country that I did not think the comparison was well-taken.
Aftermath
Quayle's reaction to Bentsen's comment was played and replayed by the Democrats in their subsequent television ads as an announcer intoned: "Quayle: just a heartbeat away." It proved sure-laugh fodder for comedians, and more and more editorial cartoons depicted Quayle as a child. Saturday Night Live used a child actor to portray Quayle in several sketches.
Avoiding going head-to-head with a seasoned Bentsen, Quayle had spent the debate criticizing presidential nominee Michael Dukakis as too liberal. Quayle felt that he had successfully got that message across since Bentsen did not defend Dukakis.
The Bush–Quayle ticket defeated Dukakis–Bentsen in the presidential election by a margin of 8% of the popular vote and an electoral landslide, with the Democrats winning only ten states. Dukakis never sought elected office again, completing his term as Governor in January 1991, while Bentsen was concurrently running for and won re-election to the senate and served until his appointment as Secretary of the Treasury in January 1993.
Legacy
United States
Four years later at the 1992 Republican National Convention, Ronald Reagan answered claims by Bill Clinton's campaign, while poking fun at his own age, by saying, "This fellow they've nominated claims he's the new Thomas Jefferson. Well, let me tell you something. I knew Thomas Jefferson. He was a friend of mine. And governor, you're no Thomas Jefferson."
At the 1992 vice presidential debate during his opening statement, Democratic nominee Al Gore took a humorous shot at Quayle over the Jack Kennedy comparison. Quayle was running for re-election and trying to make up for his performance in the 1988 debate. Gore was also taking a shot at President George Bush's comparisons of the accomplishments of his administration to that of Harry S. Truman. Gore said to Quayle, "I'll make you a deal this evening. If you don't try to compare George Bush to Harry Truman, I won't compare you to Jack Kennedy." The audience reacted with laughter.
In 2008, Ronald Reagan's daughter Patti Davis paraphrased the quotation in reference to a number of presidential candidates invoking her father's name during the 2008 United States presidential campaign, "Where is Lloyd Bentsen when you need him? 'I knew Ronald Reagan ... senator (or governor), you're no Ronald Reagan.'"
At the 2012 vice presidential debate, Vice President Joe Biden made a similar statement in reaction to Republican vice presidential nominee Paul Ryan's citation of a policy taken by President Kennedy. Biden quipped at Ryan, "Oh, now you're Jack Kennedy?" to laughter.
During the eleventh 2016 Republican primary debate moderated by Fox News, Ohio Governor and presidential candidate John Kasich delivered his own version of the line saying, "You know, we hear about Ronald Reagan rebuilding the military. I was there when Ronald Reagan rebuilt the military. I worked with him. I was there when Ronald Reagan rebuilt the economy. I was there, and I worked with him. I knew Ronald Reagan. And I'll leave it right there with what comes after that. You can figure that one out."
At the 2016 Democratic National Convention, former Reagan administration official Doug Elmets, referencing the presidential campaign of Donald Trump, stated, "I'm here tonight to say: I knew Ronald Reagan. I worked for Ronald Reagan. Donald Trump, you are no Ronald Reagan."
On November 25, 2017, White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders posted on Twitter, comparing herself to the character C. J. Cregg from The West Wing on an incident involving a situation where the White House was receiving one of the White House Thanksgiving turkeys set to be pardoned by President Donald Trump. After her tweet, actor Bradley Whitford, who portrayed White House Deputy Chief of Staff Josh Lyman on the show, replied saying "I know C.J. Cregg. C.J. Cregg is a friend of mine. You're no C.J. Cregg." Actress Allison Janney, who played C.J. in the series, also replied, thanking Whitford for his sentiment.
Elsewhere
In October 2012, at the UK Conservative Party Conference in Birmingham, Foreign Secretary William Hague made a response to a speech that Labour leader Ed Miliband had given at his own party conference in the previous week, in which Miliband compared his party with Benjamin Disraeli's One Nation Conservatism ideology. Hague said, "To borrow a turn of phrase, we were led by Disraeli, our predecessors knew Disraeli, Disraeli was a Conservative through and through, and, Ed Miliband, you are no Disraeli."
In June 2017, after the Irish Taoiseach Leo Varadkar nominated former attorney general Maire Whelan as a judge to the Court of Appeals and was accused of pressuring President Michael D. Higgins to sign off on her confirmation, he claimed appointments like this have precedent such as in the cases of Frank Clarke, Adrian Hardiman and Donal O'Donnell. Fianna Fáil Leader Micheál Martin claimed it "stunk to high heaven" and quipped "with the greatest of respect, Máire Whelan is no Frank Clarke, is no Adrian Hardiman, and is no Donal O'Donnell."
On June 10, 2019, Canadian actor Kiefer Sutherland, grandson of former NDP leader and Saskatchewan Premier Tommy Douglas, posted a statement on Twitter, directed at Ontario Progressive Conservative Premier Doug Ford and responding to Lisa MacLeod, a Minister in Ford's government, comparing their government's provincial budget to Douglas's fiscal record. The statement included the phrase, "I knew Tommy Douglas and you Sir, are no Tommy Douglas".
Parodies and popular media
References to and parodies of the famous quotation have often appeared in popular culture.
- On an episode of Saturday Night Live, several candidates for the Democratic nomination for president of the United States were debating each other at a time when President George H. W. Bush was enjoying enormous popularity in the polls. All of the candidates tried to make the other ones look good since no one wanted to face Bush in the election. At one point, Bentsen, played by host Kiefer Sutherland, remarked, "I knew Jack Kennedy, I worked with Jack Kennedy. I am no Jack Kennedy."
- In the Disney film George of the Jungle, during the wedding, Ursula's mother (Holland Taylor) — pouting over multiple appearances of gorillas — complains to her husband, "Arthur, I wish you could do something about these monkeys. I feel like Jane Goodall". Ape (voiced by John Cleese) replies, "Madam, I knew Jane Goodall, and you are no Jane Goodall."
- In the Night Court episode "This Old Man", Dan Fielding (John Larroquette), while running for the New York State Assembly, spends the night with a wealthy woman who claims to have (for similar prurient reasons) donated a large sum to John F. Kennedy's campaign; the next morning, Dan is outraged to receive a pittance in the mail, along with a note: "Dear Dan, you're no Jack Kennedy."
- In the 30 Rock episode "There's No I in America", Jack Donaghy tells Liz Lemon in a presidential-style debate: "Miss Lemon, I know Scottie Pippen. I own a Fuddruckers with Scottie Pippen. And you, sir, look like Scottie Pippen."
- In the Ugly Betty episode "Giving Up the Ghost", while chewing out Amanda, Sheila tells her, "I knew Fey Sommers. I worked with Fey Sommers. I once made out with Fey Sommers. You are no Fey Sommers." (Fey was the late editor of Mode, the magazine Betty worked for.)
- In the Justice League episode "Secret Society", the Flash attempts to interrogate a thug by dangling him off the ledge of a building. The thug jibes, "Who do you think you are, Batman? Look, buddy, I know Batman, I once ratted out a counterfeiter to Batman, and believe me, you are no Batman."
- In the 2001 film Black Knight, Martin Lawrence's character Jamal gives a speech criticizing one of the film's antagonists, saying, "King Leo. He thinks he's King Arthur. Well I know King Arthur. And you, King Leo, are no King Arthur!"
- The Megadeth song "I Know Jack" from the album The System Has Failed contains the soundbite.
- In the Rugrats episode "Spike Runs Away", Tommy says to Chuckie, "Chuckie, I knew Spike, Spike was a friend of mine. And let me tell you, that poodle is no Spike!".
- In the 1999 film Olive, the Other Reindeer, Olive compares herself to other reindeer, causing her friend, Martini, to utter "Listen, Olive, I worked with reindeer. Reindeer are friends of mine. You, Olive, are no reindeer."
- In the 2002 film The Santa Clause 2, after the Tooth Fairy is caught by Scott Calvin, who is trying to return to the North Pole, Scott tries to tell him that he is Santa. The Tooth Fairy replies, "I know Santa. Santa is a friend. And you sir, are no Santa."
- In the Batman: The Brave and the Bold season 1 episode "Deep Cover for Batman!", Batman's disguise as Owlman is thwarted by Dyna-mite who corners him, saying "I know Owlman. Owlman is a friend of mine. You sir, are no Owlman."
- In The Goldbergs episode, "It's All About Comptrol", Beverly Goldberg says during a debate, "I know Dodd Wembley. Dodd Wembley is a friend of mine. You, sir, are no Dodd Wembley." Her opponent, Dodd Wembley, responds, "I literally am Dodd Wembley."
- In the Big Mouth episode "A Very Big Mouth Christmas", Santa Claus says "I know the Easter Bunny, I work with the Easter Bunny, and you, sir, are no Easter Bunny!"
- In the RiffTrax commentary for the film Cyber Tracker (1994), Bill Corbett says "Yeah, you know if John Wick had taken that headshot, the robot would be toast." Mike Nelson replies "I served with John Wick. I knew John Wick. John Wick was a friend of mine. Don 'The Dragon' Wilson, you are no John Wick."
- In a season three episode of Canadian sitcom Corner Gas, "Dog River Vice," Emma Leroy says to her husband Oscar: "Oscar, I have known Ukrainians. I have worked with Ukrainians, and you sir, are no Ukrainian."
Notes
- "Quayle's Unwelcome Analogy". Time. Retrieved September 19, 2018.
- "Presidential Election of 1988". 270toWin.com.
- "'Senator, you're no Jack Kennedy' almost didn't happen. How it became the biggest VP debate moment in history". Los Angeles Times. October 4, 2016. Retrieved June 4, 2020.
- E. J. Dionne Jr. (October 7, 1988). "The Vice Presidential Debate; Bentsen and Quayle Attack on Question of Competence to Serve in the Presidency". The New York Times. p. 1.
- Mianowany, Joseph (November 9, 1988). "Bush defeats Dukakis to become 41st president". UPI.
- Apple, R. W. Jr. (August 18, 1988). "THE REPUBLICANS IN NEW ORLEANS: Man in the News; A Self-Effacing Nominee: George Herbert Walker Bush". The New York Times.
- Isaacs, Arnold R. (2000). Vietnam Shadows. JHU Press. p. 43. ISBN 0-8018-6344-9.
- Dionne Jr., E.J. (August 23, 1988). "Reopening an Old Wound; Quayle's Guard Duty in Vietnam War Era Puts the Focus Again on". The New York Times.
- "'Senator, you're no Jack Kennedy' almost didn't happen. How it became the biggest VP debate moment in history". Los Angeles Times. October 4, 2016.
- Germond & Witcover 1989:440.
- ^ "Vice President Dan Quayle Interview - Debating Our Destiny". www.pbs.org. PBS. December 2, 1999. Retrieved September 19, 2018.
- "CPD: October 5, 1988 Debate Transcripts".
- Kroll, Katy (August 18, 2014). "Public Meltdowns and Profane Dames: 20 Off-the-Hook Emmy Moments". Rolling Stone. Retrieved September 19, 2018.
- Goldstein, Joel K. (January 17, 2017). "A reassessment: Dan Quayle as vice president". Indy Star. Retrieved September 19, 2018.
- E. J. Dionne Jr. (November 9, 1988). "The 1988 Elections; Bush is Elected by a 6-5 Margin With Solid G.O.P. Base in South; Democrats Hold Both Houses How the Poll Was Taken". The New York Times.
- Toner, Robin (August 18, 1992). "In Their Own Words: The Overview; Bush Vows A Tough Campaign As G.O.P. Opens Its Convention". The New York Times.
- "THE 1992 CAMPAIGN; Excerpts From the Debate Among Quayle, Gore and Stockdale". The New York Times. October 14, 1992.
- "CPD: October 13, 1992 Debate Transcript". www.debates.org.
- Broder, John M. (January 20, 2008). "The Gipper Gap: In Search of Reagan". The New York Times. Retrieved September 19, 2018.
- O'Brien, Michael (October 11, 2012). "Biden plays aggressor in debate as Ryan makes GOP case". NBC Politics. Retrieved September 19, 2018.
- Times, Alan Rappeport, Maggie Haberman, Nicholas Confessore and The New York (March 3, 2016). "11th Republican Debate: Analysis". The New York Times Politics and Washington. Retrieved November 9, 2023.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - Easley, Jonathan (July 28, 2016). "Former Reagan official to Trump: 'You are no Ronald Reagan'". The Hill. Retrieved September 19, 2018.
- Sinclair, Harriet (November 25, 2017). "West Wing Cast Hits Out At Sarah Huckabee Sanders: 'You're no C.J. Cregg'". Newsweek. Retrieved September 19, 2018.
- "Conservative conference: Miliband no Disraeli, says Hague". BBC News. October 7, 2012. Retrieved July 10, 2012.
- O'Regan, Michael (June 20, 2017). "Taoiseach defends new judge amid Micheal Martin criticism". Irish Times. Retrieved September 19, 2018.
- "Stop using my grandpa's name, actor Kiefer Sutherland tells Doug Ford | CBC News".
- "Ugly Betty [2006]". Quotes. Retrieved October 22, 2016.
- "My Favorite Quotes From "Ugly Betty". Ugly Is The New Beautiful. Retrieved October 22, 2016.
- "I Know Jack | Megadeth.com". Archived from the original on October 19, 2013.
References
- Germond, Jack W.; Witcover, Jules (1989). Whose Broad Stripes and Bright Stars: The Trivial Pursuit of the Presidency 1988. New York: Warner Books. ISBN 0-446-39187-5.
External links
- Holley, Joe (May 24, 2006). "Lloyd Bentsen; Texas Senator, Vice Presidential Candidate". The Washington Post. p. B06. (Obituary.)
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: postscript (link) - "You are no Jack Kennedy". Archived from the original on December 21, 2021. A video excerpt from the 1988 vice presidential debate.
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