The best response to the Melania Trump/Jacqueline Kennedy comparison

[friend of m and j]

50. Vice President Quayle's facial expression was that of a deer looking into a car's headlights...

as it was bearing down on him. Quayle was probably better known for that expression than anything he did as Bush's VP.

Senator Lloyd Bentsen, the VP running mate with Michael Dukakis in 1988 was the person who hit Quayle with that zinger during the debate. On the campaign trail he was always questioned about his age (I think 37) and his qualifications to be President if the President died in office. In the debate he was asked that question 3 times but apparently not to the satisfaction of the moderators. He had not brought up JFK's name during the first 3 responses. But many people thought that his posture, and gestures he was trying to reflect a JFK image.

When Tom Brokaw asked the question a 4th time Quayle seemed irritated and said he would try to explain it again. After explaining what steps he would take if forced into the presidency he invoked JFK. He said he "would have more experience in the Congress than many others who sought the Vice Presidency. I have more experience in the Congress than Jack Kennedy had when he sought the Presidency."

That is when he really stuck his foot in it.

Bentsen responded, slowly but firmly ooking at Quayle the whole time, but Quayle just stared straight ahead like the deer staring in fright at the headlights of the car.

"I served with Jack Kennedy," he said, his tone escalating toward steady indignation. "I knew Jack Kennedy. Jack Kennedy was a friend of mine. Senator, you're no Jack Kennedy." As the audience loudly applauded he knew Bentsen had just knocked his feet out from under him. That scared deer look tarred him with a perception of being a lightweight and followed him is entire career.