Just watched this for the first time in 35 years. What stands out now is Bentsen's facial reaction when Quayle brings up JFK. The man knew he was about to win by TKO. www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kgtf...

'Senator, you're no Jack Kennedy' | Lloyd Bentsen takes jab at Dan Quayle during 1988 VP debate

YouTube video by WFAA

Also worth noting that Dan Quayle, at 77 years old today, is younger than Donald Trump

I have heard the isolated clip many times, but this is the first time I've seen it with context! I didn't even realize it was Quayle being too big for his britches

I was young but I recall the JFK/Quayle comps from people and from Quayle himself so I bet it was teed up in advance in case he mentioned him. Incredible prep, incredible writers, incredible execution.

Me and the great man, way back in the day.

It's interesting how Bentsen's diction seems elevated compared to what we hear now, especially in his response to Quayle's complaint.

I’ll never forget watching this moment and my entire family jumping and screaming, brother making the “giving him the business” gesture. It was a glorious moment and Quayle walked right in to it

a blurred image of a referee with the words he 's giving him the business down there

ALT: a blurred image of a referee with the words he 's giving him the business down there

You can *see* the dread bobbing in his Adams apple

My favorite moment from that one was not this, but when the moderators tried to kneecap Bentsen by asking whether it was true that under Reagan, the economy had enjoyed an era of prosperity and Bentsen snapped “let write $200bn of hot checks and I’ll give you an illusion of prosperity, too.

I've not seen this before. Noticed also that Quayle doesn't look at Bentsen as he responds ...