(CNN) - Former Vice President Dan Quayle didn’t think John McCain would make it this far in his quest for the White House – and he’s pessimistic about his fall chances against Barack Obama.
"Polls show most people want change and change wins a lot of the time," Quayle said on a conference call with reporters Tuesday to promote his participation in a golf tournament later this month. "I hope McCain wins, but to be very fair, he has an uphill battle."
He said he expected New York senator Hillary Clinton and former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney would face off this fall – and respected Obama for doing something he couldn’t 16 years ago.
"I have a lot of grudging respect for what he did because he beat the Clintons, something we couldn't do in 1992. The Clintons were very convincing in the campaign they ran. So I thought she would be the candidate,” said Quayle, who lost his bid for a second vice presidential term to the Democratic ticket of Bill Clinton and Al Gore in 1992.
"I think she made obviously some very tactical mistakes. One, underestimating Obama. And, two, the whole inevitability that `I am entitled to the nomination' ended up hurting her quite dramatically,” he said while acknowledging that "I don't think anyone saw, including myself, the Barack Obama movement."
As a Republican who lost to a Democratic ticket touting “change,” Quayle had some advice for this year’s presumptive GOP nominee: lay out a “clear vision” of what he’ll do when he reaches the White House.
"When 80 percent of the people think we are on the wrong track, you need to do that. It needs to be strategic,” said Quayle. “That's not been done yet. They may be waiting for the convention, but that needs to be done."
In April, McCain pointed to Quayle’s vice presidential selection as an example of why he did not want to rush his own selection of a running mate, telling reporters the former Indiana senator "not been briefed and prepared for some of the questions" when he was tapped for the Republican ticket in 1988.
"I'm a great friend of Dan Quayle's and I think he was a fine senator. I just think that it was you know, a lot of people in retrospect would have thought maybe the process should have been…I just think you have to have a measured process, make sure that you have taken every, all the factors into consideration and then decide," said McCain.
From CNN Politics
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Now this is the endorcement Obama has been looking for!
Where did yall dig up Quayle? and Why? isn't he the one who had his spelling corrected by a 5th grader?
I swear, every time I see this guy, all I can think of is the "potatoe" incident!
I didn't know that guy was still alive.
HE DID NOT BEAT THE CLINTONS..The DNC and Male driven Media beat the Clinton.
July 15 everyone wear something Blue to show that we are proud of what Hillary accomplished in the run for presidency and even if you do not support Hillary to show that a women could do anything she wants to do.
What is this wimp even doing in the news? Who cares about his opinion anyway? It's just about as worthless as the entire Bush family, not to mention McCain, who has no opinions of his own.
Candid! Right on point.
Right On!
Holy who cares.
You"re right Dan ...Clinton really underestimated Obama.....which shows poor judgement on her part or was she just blinded by the jewels in her crown???????
Exactly, thank you Mr. Quayle at least you've acknowledged the obvious now if only the rest of your party would come from out of denial
i couldnt agree with you more sir!!!
Quayle has a good point maybe he should hold McCain hands since Dan is looking for a father image... and not a true leader
I respekt Dan Kwayl and his spelling of potatoe.
You're right about one thing: the Obama movement makes no sense since the man is just not qualified to lead the nation. I shudder to think what this country will be like if a person with little character like Obama leads. My word!!
Quayle has actually said something smart for once.
EXCELLENT ARTICLE.
OBAMA 08'
Something of which you could never do Dan? Oh ya, where are you now?
NO CLEAR VISION is going to save McCain. All cats are grey at night – anything McCain and the Republican Party says will be seen by the electrate as pandering – saying anything to win.
When you buy bad food off the shelf, you don't reward the company that made the food with a repeat purchase. The Republican Party has messed the country up. Its time for Democrats 'to take over and return the economy to the prosperous state it was when Bill Clinton was president.
Obama/Hillary 08!
Wow!! Even Dan Quayle knows McCain’s the weaker candidate. So that means that as long as the majority of Americans are as smart as a man who misspelled potato, we’re in!!
GOBAMA!!!!!
Unfortunately for Dan Quayle , his reputation adn hence his opinions
have not been as well known as his famous gaffe. I mean how could a Vice President of the U.S. fail to spell a simple word like potato>
No only does majority of Americans think, no– know, the country is on the wrong track, but they have also lost ALL trust for the Republican party. We trusted them with out securtiy, economy and family values. They have disappointed us on every level. They have now put forward a pre-historic, far from reality and out of touch elitist candidate (John McBush) who has not proposed any changes to the poor policies and practices of the Republicans and Bush from the last 7.5 years, but has rather embraces them all, promising more of the same and proposing some even worst ones himself. It is VERY shameful what the Republicans have done to this great country....SHAMEFUL!
Listen to Quayle he finally is making a little sense. Just don't get him to spell TOMATO. He's right regarding the Obama movement, but wrong in his support of McCain. He knows in his heart that Obama is better for the country, but his republican heritage prompts him to support McCain. Maybe after careful thought as it pertains to what is better for our nation as apposed to good for his party, will cause him to open his eyes more.
Has Dan learned how to spell yet?
Big suprise...
Obama's entire primary campaign was a thinly disguised negative personal attack against Clinton. Without having Hillary to attack Obama would never have made it past even Iowa. All of Obama supporters' attacks are VERBATIM republican talking points from the 90s. So of course republicans like when their attacks finally succeed.
Who is Dan Quayle?
Well, "promoting his participation in a golf tournament later this month" . . . certainly gives him a convincing platform! He sounds as inept as ever.
This is probably the smartest thing to EVER come out of Dan Quayle's mouth!
OBAMA '08!!!
NO AMOUNT OF VISION OR STRATEGY is going to save McCain. All cats are grey at night – anything McCain and the Republican Party says will be seen by the electrate as pandering – saying anything to win.
When you buy bad food off the shelf, you don't reward the company that made the food with a repeat purchase. The Republican Party has messed the country up. Its time for Democrats 'to take over and return the economy to the prosperous state it was when Bill Clinton was president.
Obama/Hillary 08!
ADDENDUM:
If I might add, Dan Quayle's presidential prediction of Romney vs Hillary, is going to be the vice presidential head-to-head. McCain will pick Romney as veep, Obama will pick Hillary – wanna bet?
Dan Quayle for Obama? The dumbest VP in America in the entire 20th century? Yes, that'll be a worthy endorsement...
From where did they dredge this electoral mistake?
Why Dan Quayle is best qualified to be anybody's VP choice:
He makes everyone else look smart! He even made Bush Sr. look smart, and that's saying a lot!
.............................and still playing the doofus!
I think that is exactly what drew people to Obama. WE didn't want to feel like America was a place were the rich aristocrats ruled our country. We still want the rags to riches story. We want a somewhat common man to lead us, because that's who Americans trust. We trust someone whose had experiences like us in regards to a mother dying because she doesn't have the insurance, or paying student loans.
John Mccain is to OLD. He will not be a good president.
He finally gets smarter and said something right.
Well-said Mr. Vice President!
You know, you're welcome to join the Obama Movement like I have, because our country's future depends on it!
We cannot afford to watch China become the next superpower while we waste $Trillions on senseless wars in the middle east ( think Iran).
Independents Unite for Obama!
McCain does not have a chance this November. He is right about Hillary in the sense that she underestimated Obama and she felt a sense of entitlement. The Clintons hate to lose and judging by her comments and behavior throughout the primaries, she was a sore loser, point blank. She knew mathematically that she couldn't win so instead of her dropping out the race, she SELFISHLY stayed to prove a point.
WOW WHERE HAS HE BEEN?
My goodness, former VP thoughts are interesting. Maybe he'll cross the party line and vote for change himself.
This guy is still around?!?!?!?!
Learn how to spell the word potato.
All this insight from a man that can't spell Potato (e). LOL
What a j oke!
Speaking of republican LOSERS
Because Mitt Romney only served one term as governor, does that give him enough experience to be vice president and a possible president? Barack Obama and Hilary Clinton both have just as much experience as Romney.
Hey Dan, where have you been? Thanks for the vote of confidence.
It's about time someone called out Hillary for what she did wrong and acknowledged that Obama had the best campaign. I can't believe Quayle wants McCain to win after his boss' son just ruined the country and vows to continue his failed policy. McCain doesn't even try to seem like he's going to do anything differently. He might as well call his campaign slogan, "STAY THE COURSE" and if he somehow wins (which he won't) he might as well wave a "MISSION ACCOMPLISHED" banner over his celebration party and then we'll know exactly what we've voted for!
Oh hush up Dan and reapt after me I am not smarter than a 5th grader.
Who cares what you think? Americans found countless amusement from all of your stupid antics during your vice presidency.
Well, golly Barry! You've got DAN QUAYLE on your side! I bet McCain is really WORRIED about that.
I would say that a ringing endorsement by Dan Quayle is just the ticket! One know-nothing endorsing another know-nothing. As they say, Barry, "it takes one to know one."
Former VP Quayle, nice to hear from you.
Good analysis on your part and here's hoping that you're right – Senator Obama wins in November.
Funny how Senator McCain kind of scoffed at your being on the ticket. Interesting that you did win the first time around, so I'm not sure what his complaint was.
I think President Bill Clinton just had a smooth way of connecting with voters, like "I feel your pain" in that southern drawl that made people think he did. I even know one Republican woman who told me point blank that if he would hook up with her, she'd vote for him. And let me tell you, she was a very nice looking woman who didn't need to go around groveling over middle-aged men. Yet, he somehow connected with her.
In that same way, as you point out, Senator Obama has helped unleash a movement of change that this country wants and needs. For that reason, he's in great contention and position to win this coming presidential election.
And how do you spell potato?
Yeah Dan, but do you love him? I mean really, really love him and support him? Think his policies and views are great?
If you don't, you are branded as a racist when in actuality, you are a realist!
Whatever!
Yes, your opion means less than nothing.......you are an insane idiot.....if thats even possible
And he can spell Potato, too!
Lets see pot????
So!
Obama beat the Clinton's PLAYING DIRTY CHICAGO STYLE POLITICS...that is the kind of CHANGE OBAMa supporters voted for....GOOD-LUCK AMERICA OBAMA is souned more and more like George W Bush he also ran on Change in America and FAITH BASED POLITICS...
Lay off Hillary Clinton. She is intelligent & experienced.
Obama/Hillary
Quayle........keep your rude remarks to yourself!
Dan who??????????????????????????????????
Barack is more than just a "movement"....he is going to be the president of America....all of American, not just the democrats who like him some independents and a few republicans....but all of America. I think John McBush is overestimating his impact, over playing the so called "I got shot down and surrendered in Vietnam for 5 yrs....so I am more patriotic and would make a better president" hand, and constantly, stupidly calling Obama naive and inexperienced....Clinton tried the same play book and it really didn't help did it!
Not that anybody should care what the dumbest vice-president in our nation's history says, but one could take the position that it was not so much as Barack winning as it was Hillary losing.
Hillary started off with a very large segment of the American populace that simply despised her and wasn't going to vote for her in any case. She then made many missteps, such as hiring Mark Penn and listening to his bad counsel, taking a "big donor" approach to fundraising that eventually left her $30 million in campaign debt and unable to effectively compete, and then a series of minor missteps such as the Tuzla fiasco that cemented her lack of credibility with those who were concerned with that issue in the first place. All this convinced the DNC leadership of what was fairly obvious - Hillary was for a variety of reasons simply unelectable.
Dan Quayle is the reason why the elder Bush lost his re-election.
And now the loser is happy (what else but NEGATIVE remarks from a loser) because Obama beat the Clintons !
Who cares what he thinks. He was the beneficiary of many jokes. Wasn't he the one that could not spell potato at a school or something like that. The VP could not spell POTATO – thats all I remember about him.
Idiot. I remember being in 9th grade and my history teacher (a Republican) saying we were all smarter than Dan Quayle. He also said that this was no great compliment to us.
Hey, DAN. You should not even be allowed to make any comments
You were a looser than and you are one now. Just SHUT UP!!
Obama's doomed. Dan Quayle just predicted his victory! No!!
And your opinion is important because....?
NO – Dan – you are WRONG – as usual. Hillary Clinton WON – all the popular votes – obama STOLD the nomination – with the help of the DNC and party leaders – most of the ones from this group:
Quayle, Dodd, Kerry, Kennedy, Edwards, Richards, Gore -
didn't they ALL LOSE?????? Great endorsements for BO.
Grow up!!! You lost to the Clintons get over it already.
She would have made a better president then whats running today. You all were afraid of a women being presdent.
Thank you Mr. Quayle for you honest comments.
I think they should put Quayle and Bush in a spelling bee...talk about reality tv!
Give a little respect, people, for a former vice president and U.S. Senator. Yeh, maybe he wasn't the most capable government official, and certainly he was a special interest candidate. But his comments seem sincere and modest, and not too partisan. I am sure Mr. Quayle's public comments have some substance and importance, even if most people dismiss them.
It would be good to remember that the same hatred of the right is equivocated by hatred of the left, and in this regard, no one is coming to this table with clean hands. Let the man speak.
Obama has done more than "beat the Clintons". Respect him for more than just that which is trivial.
He can't get over being a five star looser
Thanks Quayle! We really care what you think sir.
Obama '08!
uh oh.. he making the big mistake of telling the truth about Clinton's entitlement theory... someone will make him into a racist like they did the pastor...in 3, 2, 1........
So that is GREAT that you think your advice Dan is helpful to the ostupid camp!
Keep up the good work and come out more often.....LOL
McCain 08 or Lou Dobbs
Another idiot endorsing Obama?
I guess I can name one accomplishment of Obama: He used his surrogates on CNN (Roland and Donna) to convince the Dems there would be race riots in Denver if Hillary were chosen as the nominee.
A new kind of politics? I think not. Scare tactics are more of a Republican thing.
Still voting McCain! Would rather vote Hillary!
So Quayle is implying, "If you can beat Clintons, you can just walk over McCain". WOW. So time has made Quayle a very experienced man, if not smarter.
Just don't ask him to spell potato(e)
Dan, go back and continue studying the dictionary. Can you spell potato yet?
Wow, you people are petty and vicious. The former Vice President was interviewed and was accommodating. He didn't say anything negative about Senator Clinton or Senator Obama or the democratic party. And if must resort to questioning his intelligence (insecure democrats always do this; it is very important for them to be considered smart–because, of course, only they care), why don't you take a look at Quayle debate with his rotundity, Al Gore. Quayle killed him.
'He beat the Clintons'? Let us wait until the convention before we can say that for certain. What is with all of these people who can't wait to push the Clintons out of the picture?
You guys are writing about Dan "It was over before it began" Quayle now??
Remember his statement to the United Negro College Fund?
"It's a terrible thing to lose one's mind. Or not to have a mind. How true that is."
Oh, how I miss this guy!
If only McCain selected him for VP I might consider voting for them, just for the entertainment value.
Great......a compliment from one empty suit to another.
Let's spell it together.....
P-O-T-A-T-O..................(E)
An uphill battle should not concern John McCain. Team Obama considers him to be over the hill anyway.
And Dan???? He didn't beat the Clintons, the DNC did in another "historic" moment that their party will never live down.
And you're relevant, how?
Quayle=irrelevant. I like Obama but keep in mind, folks, Quayle is a guy who once said that he would be the next president of the United States "if God had anything to do with it."
At least he is smarter than George W.....I think.
rachel that better be an intentional typo
Rachel, Oh hush up and repeat after me. I am not smarter than a 5th grader because I can't spell repeat.
I think that VP Quayle should apologize for saying that Sen. Clinton was ENTITLED since everybody else was angry because the priest said the same thing.
Oh wait a minute – no one who as ever known Barack Obama can say that, only republicans.
I respect Dan Quayle comments; I don't think he was the best VP but he has throughtout his years has kept an open mind in regards to the political arena. Best wishes too the Quayle's family
I find it highly amusing coyote is unable to spell "loser" correctly in response to an article about Dan Quayle.
I'm sorry – since when do we care what this man says? Think "Murphy Brown"..... I sure never read politics before coffee..makes this all the more stupid.
I hope McCain picks Quayle.
This advice from a man who can't spell POTATOE!!!!!
Last I heard, Obama did not beat the Clintons, he joined them!
This further proves that Dan Quayle is an IDIOT!
Quayle you say that Hillary thinks she was entitled to the nomination because of who she is................
Well helllllllllloooooooo McLame thinks hes entitled to be President because he was shot down from his fighter jet and was a prisoner of war.
Get a grip Obama won the nomination because hes a candidate that truly cares about the ordinary people and not big business as the republicans do.
Go Obama
Though not disagreeing... If you are going to insult Quayle, please spell correctly.
Speak for yourself Danny. I saw the Obama movement coming a long time ago and got on that train before it left the station.
Dan Quayle is a perfect example of an air-head candidate picked solely on the basis of looks.
Smart comments from Mr. Quayle!
All from a man who cannot spell POTATO! Obama did not beat the Clintons. It was the liberal press and turncoat superdelagates. Mrs. Clinton had the much better ideas and plans, which Obama well knows since he stole many of them. You can keep Obama and his racist wife and minister, I'm voting for John McCain now.
The second coming of Mr. Potato(e) Head with one of his astute opinions.
Rachel, looks like you could learn a few lessons from a 5th grader, like how to spell the word 'repeat.' Be careful when you insult others' intelligence–you may end up looking stupid yourself.
Let me see... If he's not smarter than a 5th grader, doesn't that make him about 10 times smarter than W?
People really need to get off the whole "entitlement" crap about Hillary Clinton. Women in this country have never been given a reason to feel entitled to anything, most of all the highest office in the country. Give me a break!
OBAMA'08 This is the year that will change the United States and the way we run this country.
I find it humorous people become commentators on the quality of people based on whether they spell potatoe correcly or not. I'd like any of the sarcastic commentators to post their resumes versus Dan 's. We allow our media to shape our opinion of people on little teeny sound bites that have little reflection in reality. At this point in his career Obama's resume probably does not equal Dan Qualye's at the time he was a Vice presidential cabdiadate.
Dan you're were irrelevant when Daddy Bush was President and you're irrelevant now. Crawl back in to the rock you were under.
If Obama loses this election we know that reason will be because of race, yet no one wants to talk about it. It is the major deciding factor in this election. If there weren't so many racist americans out there, Obama would win this election hands down...when you look at the polls the number of Americans that actually admit to be not willing to vote for Obama is astounding. It might not be a majority, but take them away and he wins hands down. And we also all know that the moajority of folks who would not vote for Obama because he his black would not admit that, so the numbers are actually worse that it seems. Hopefully someday racist america will learn to be more tolerant and be willing to accept a black man as president. Unfortunately we might have a long time to wait to see such a day.
I thought he had died awhile back. How delightful to know that we can be entertained once more.
He is still a lightweight; still not the brightest lightbulb glowing.
Say what you will about Quayle, but I'd rather have him be the VP than the puppeteer Cheney.
There we go again Dan,
Obama Didn't beat anybody.
It was the voters deciding they wanted change that beat the Clinton's and will beat McCain in the coming election.
Let's give credit where credit is due. We decide, you jump. It will get worse in the future because of so many internet, educated voters. All the people needed was a communications medium to connect them together.
We want change. Woe to the politician who doesn't get this message.
Wow, this guy still around? Has he learn how to spell yet?
Dan's right about McCain this November. And, despite Obama's own uphill battles/obstacles, polls seem to indicate that he's "the man" this country's going to elect for our next President. As Wesley recently intimated, John commands a lot of respect for what he did and went through in Vietnam as a fighter pilot. But, that skill set does not best prepare him for the job of President of the United States of America. Clearly ... he lacks a command of many important issues, such as some details pertaining to the Iraq War, and more recently to the difference between Somalia and the Sudan. Come on, folks. You want to criticize Dan, and then elect his grandpa for the job?
Wow – talk about irrelevant.
I am with you Dan. And you are right about the reasons she lost. But did we actually get rid of the Clintons? I doubt it. You can't keep them down for long, they have a way of resurfacing. I have no respect for either of them. What a sleazy couple. And Dan, you look better as you age. Very distinguished.
First smart thing this guy has said in years.Love it.
Dan Quayle, I just need you to do one thing for me, spell "POTATO(E)". LOL!! Obama is a Japanese Monkey!!
Dan Quayle? Dan Quayle? Dan Quayle? Where have I heard that name before?
i'm not trying to be a spelling nazi or anything of the sort. however, i find it amazing that people who can't spell simple words like "loser" and "repeat" even have the cognitive ability required to actually be interested in politics. i figured this was an appropriate place to post this, considering it's a discussion about dan "potatoe" quayle
This guy used to be the dumbest person to every hold a public office. Then came Bush.
Wow! Candor and honesty from a politician... after 8 years of Bush jr. it sure is a welcome change. Thank you, Dan Quayle.
Just give up already...it's not like Dan Quayle ever hurt anyone!
I am with you Dan. And you are right about the reasons she lost. But did we actually get rid of the Clintons? I doubt it. You can't keep them down for long, they have a way of resurfacing. I have no respect for either of them. What a sleazy couple. And Dan, you look better as you age. Very distinguished.
Dan's biggest problem was that he was real. He never pretended to be some polished bs filled politician.
Jan – you're very wrong. Obama beat the stuffing out of the Clintons! Woo Hoo! Time to change the changemongers.
Heh,
No so sure "respect' from the likes of Dan Quayle is such a good thing.
I suggest Obama repudiate Quayle's remarks.
Isn't this the same idiot who could not spell POTATOES????? Who gives a flip about him? He's G.H.W.B.'s flunky!!!! IDIOT!!! That's why nobody's hear from him in ages. Go back under your rock, Quayle!!!
I forgot all about Dan Quayle. I agree with him completely. Obama wasn't competing against just Clinton. He was up against the entire Clinton machine. ...and although that minister did say the exact same thing about Clinton and her sense of entitlement, it is true...that was a turn off for many. I have always been an Obama supporter, but I can stomach her now that the primary season is over.
Dancing on the Clinton's grave that is typical of a distressed republican. Republicans are such losers!
P O T A T O!
Hey D, spell potato?
I still remember Dan Quayle's remark stating he resembled Robert Redford, but he (Dan) was better looking than Robert Redford.
What a goof ball!
I love Dan Q. Yeah he was the gaffer to beat all gaffers, including even George "Nucular" W, but he actually has a few brain cells. They did him a big disservice by not preparing him better for debates etc. As an example of other younger candidates, W, Bill C and even Obama, they had a whole primary process to work out kinks, Dan Q did not get to play in the playoffs just the finals. Although that doesn't explain 1992 very well.
IF THOSE WHO PUT THE CLINTONS IN THE WHITE HOUSE HAD ANY SENSE THEY SHOULD NOW REALIZE WHAT A BUNCH OF LIAR'S AND PHONIES THE CLINTONS REALLY ARE. THE CLINTONS KNEW THAT THEIR BACKERS WOULD BELIEVE ANYTHING THEY WERE SAYING SIMPLY BECAUSE THEIR INTELLIGENCE LEVELS
WERE DECLINING QUICKLY.
THE POSTER WHO MADE THE REMARK ABOUT THE 5TH GRADE : SPELLING A WORD WRONG IS NOTHING COMPARED TO"ITS NOT SEX TO HOW I DEFINE IT" AND YOU FOOLS BELIEVED HIM.
AS FORMER VP QUALE STATES IT'S FANTASTIC THAT OBAMA KICKED THIER ARSES UP AND DOWN WASHINGTON DC. IT COULDN'T HAVE HAPPENED TO 2 MORE UNSCRUPULOUS(?)
LIARS AND PHONIES.
NOW I'M WAITING TO HEAR WHAT OBAMA WILL TELL HILILARY WHAT SHE CAN DO WITH HER PROPOSALS TO THE DEMOCRATIC SLATE. WHERE HE'S GOING TO TELL TO PUT THEM WILL BE A PLACE THE SUN DON'T SHINE ON.
Dan, thanks for the advice. You were always an inspiration to me and I've modeled my career and the content of my speeches after you.
Your lightweight brother,
Barack
Lighten up a bit on a real honest American and a good man for sure. Enough former VP bashing already. This really doesn't solve anything does it? We don't see Dan in the news enough. And I bet none of y'all can spell Quayle!
Obama beat them, then joined them. And I think making more links to the 90s and illustrating the similarities between Clinton's economics and Obamas would be a good thing. When even Quayle can clearly look at the primaries and call it as it was, it provides stark relief as to just how crazy and delusional PUMAs are.
No offense Dan, but you rose from the scrap heap of history to tell us this? As with most of your utterances, not too much substance to be found.