“Senator, you're not Jack Kennedy.”

Who remembers an unforgettable debate between the candidates for Vice President of the United States? I shouldn't even ask this question because the topic of this blog's second fundraiser in 2024 focuses on past debates between US presidential candidates. But you can guess that a certain number of readers responded by recalling the famous black fly that landed on Mike Pence's white hair during his debate against Kamala Harris in 2020. The magnificent fly. However, I accept Matteo's suggestion, which takes us back to October 5, 1988.

There was a notable debate between Texas Senator Lloyd Bentsen, the Democratic vice presidential nominee, and Indiana Senator Dan Quayle, his Republican challenger. “At one point, Quayle compares his own experience to that of JFK,” the reader and commentator recalls, referring to the comparison that George H.W. Bush's running mate has often resorted to since his nomination. At the age of 41, he found it useful to remember that the 12 years he spent in the Senate and House were equivalent to the 14 years Kennedy spent in the same places before he became president, at the age of 43.

It should be noted that some of Cowell's advisors found the comparison risky. Senator Bentsen, then 67, would prove them right by reminding Quayle of his relationship with the man he called Jack, the nickname of his friend John:

“Senator, I served with Jack Kennedy. I knew Jack Kennedy. Jack Kennedy was my friend. Senator, you are not Jack Kennedy.”

As Matteo noted, Dan Quayle was unable to respond intelligently to this history-making line.

So thanks to Matteo for this memory. And thanks also to everyone who has already contributed to this fundraiser, as well as to others who will do so by the end of the evening!

(Image ABC)