But when it came to eloquence, George [H. W.] Bush was Winston Churchill compared with his vice president, the legendary J. Danforth Quayle. You never knew what Dan was going to say next, and the wonderful thing was, Dan clearly didn't know either. He'd be asked a question, and he'd start talking, and you could see in his eyes that he was thinking, Ohmigod I'm talking and I HAVE NO EARTHLY IDEA WHAT I'M TRYING TO SAY! I DON'T EVEN KNOW WHAT I'M SAYING RIGHT NOW!
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- The author contrasts George H.W. Bush's eloquence with Dan Quayle's confusion during public speaking.
- In plain terms
- Bush was good at speaking but Quayle seemed lost when he talked.
- What can you take from it?
- Public figures often reveal their uncertainty while speaking.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- What makes a politician sound competent?
- How do you react when someone doesn't know the answer?
Another view
The description exaggerates Quayle's internal state for comedic effect.
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