Video: '1988 Vice Presidential Debate - Dan Quayle & Lloyd Bentsen'

(Wednesday, October 5, 1988, 9:00-10:30 p.m. EDT; during the United States presidential election, 1988 campaign) — Republican vice presidential nominee Dan Quayle and Democratic vice presidential nominee Lloyd Bentsen clashed angrily tonight during their only debate of the presidential campaign in which each insisted that he could handle the burdens of the presidency.

Pressed repeatedly about his qualifications for high office, Quayle argued that his years in the Senate, where he has served since 1981, made him far more able to deal with military, foreign policy and budget questions than Democratic Presidential nominee Michael Dukakis.

The emotional high point of the nationally televised 90-minute debate came quickly after Quayle had asserted, “I have as much experience in the Congress as Jack Kennedy did when he sought the Presidency.”

Bentsen replied in a somber tone: “Senator, I served with Jack Kennedy. I knew Jack Kennedy. Jack Kennedy was a friend of mine. Senator, you’re no Jack Kennedy.”

The cutting remark drew both applause and hoots from the audience gathered at the site of the debate, the Omaha Civic Auditorium.

Quayle, obviously angered, said, “That was really uncalled for, Senator,” to which Mr. Bentsen replied, “You’re the one who was making the comparison, Senator.”