Dan In Real Life

"I love California. I practically grew up in Phoenix."

"The Holocaust was an obscene period in our nation's history.… No, not our nation's, but in World War II. I mean, we all lived in this century. I didn't live in this century, but in this century's history."

"It isn't pollution that's harming the environment. It's the impurities in the air and water that are doing it."

All of the above things were said by Dan Quayle. Former VICE PRESIDENT, Dan Quayle. The same Dan Quayle who, when spelling potato on a chalkboard on national TV wrote, P-O-T-A-T-O, then paused, and wrote -E. Potatoe. He had the good sense to tell America that space was still a high priority for NASA, among other life-altering statements.

He was Vice President of the United States under president George H.W. Bush (Jan. '89- Jan. '93). His time in office was relatively uneventful when it comes to things actually accomplished by Quayle himself, but in fairness, how many VP's can sit there and say, "Boy, I've really done a lot these last four years."? Perhaps the most famous moment associated with Quayle involves a debate with Lloyd Bentsen. To paraphrase, Quayle stated he had about as much experience on Capitol Hill as Jack Kennedy did when Kennedy ran for President. Bentsen cooly responded, "Senator, you're no Jack Kennedy."

So that's Dan Quayle. If you really want to have a good sometime, just google and read some of the more outrageous quotes Quayle ever had. It's good stuff. He even trashed Murphy Brown once. The TV show character Murphy Brown. He thought about seeking some more public offices following his time as VP, but wisely never did. His son, however, did recently win a congressional seat as a US Representative from Arizona. So, at least his own political missteps didn't keep his own son from having some success. I would love to leave you with a David Lettermen-esque top ten list of Dan Quayle quotes, but again, I'll leave that comedic goodness up to you.