FIRST PERSON

Dan Quayle On Convention Spotlight

As Told To Richard E. Cohen

Thursday, Sept. 4, 2008


First PersonStepping into the spotlight at a national convention can be one of the high points of a lifetime in politics. But for a trio of Republicans who starred at previous GOP conventions, memories of their big moment are mingled with recollections of not being entirely in control--having to deal with a huge crowd, a balky TelePrompTer, or a weird mechanical problem.

• Dan Quayle
• Tom Kean
• Susan Molinari

I had a very difficult time getting to the front of the crowd [along the riverfront in New Orleans, where George H.W. Bush was waiting to announce Quayle's selection as his running mate]. There must have been 100,000 people there. But he wasn't going to make an announcement until I got to the stage. The crowd was obviously very enthusiastic. It was 4 p.m., and he had called me at 2 p.m. to notify me of the selection.

My role as vice president was to support George Bush. And I showed a lot of enthusiasm. Somebody in the crowd yelled, "Go get 'em." So, I said, "Let's go get 'em." We were underdogs in the polls, and we were trying to make the fight. After the speech, I was introduced to the Secret Service. I had no trouble leaving the stage.

After I was selected, there was controversy over my service in the National Guard. Nobody had anticipated that. I had told [Bush campaign vetter] Bob Kimmitt that there was nothing there. But it's hard to prevent people who want to make an issue.

The convention was very positive. Facts are a stubborn thing. We were behind before the convention. And when the convention ended, we were ahead, especially because of a dynamic speech by George Bush.

I served with John McCain in the Senate. But I haven't talked to him a lot since I moved to Arizona, where I live in Paradise Valley. It's impressive that he has been even with [Barack] Obama in the polls, given everything that is going on: an unpopular war, an unpopular president, Obama is outspending him. But John McCain is hanging in, and he has a darn good chance. He is an effective candidate, and will run a spirited campaign. If there is more attention to foreign policy, his judgment and maturity will be at the top of voters' agenda. It will be a tougher go for him if the focus is on the economy and the Bush administration.

I don't plan to attend this convention. I'm not one to just sit there. I help to raise money for Republican candidates. But I am so busy with my schedule [as chairman] with Cerberus Global Investments, where I have been since 1999.

  •  
  •