Lloyd Bentsen

When Dan Quayle compares his congressional experience with Kennedy's on 5 October 1988, Bentsen replies through his own acquaintance with Kennedy. The short response directly uses the comparison Quayle has offered; when challenged, Bentsen explains why he rejects it. Its strength is listening and compression rather than a complete argument about qualifications. Study the exchange beyond the famous line: personal authority can sharpen a rebuttal without settling the larger question.