Lloyd Bentsen

From dKosopedia

Categories: Texas Democrats | Secretaries of the Treasury

Lloyd Millard Bentsen (1921-2006), a conservative Democratic Senator from Texas, was chosen by Michael Dukakis as his running mate in the 1988 Presidential election against George H. W. Bush and Dan Quayle.

During the 1988 vice presidential debate, Quayle upon claiming to have similar experience to JFK, was rebuked by Bentson's now famous words: "Senator, I served with Jack Kennedy. I knew Jack Kennedy. Jack Kennedy was a friend of mine. Senator, you're no Jack Kennedy." (Omaha, Nebraska, October 5, 1988)

His political career took him from the humble beginnings of a county office in the Rio Grande Valley in the 1940s to six years in the U.S. House, and 22 in the U.S. Senate. He won his senate seat in 1970, by defeating fellow Congressman George H. W. Bush. He went on to serve two years as Bill Clinton's Secretary of Treasury.

Lloyd Bentsen was born on February 11, 1921, and he graduated from the University of Texas Law School in 1942. He served as a bomber pilot during World War II and won many medals. He and his wife, Beryl Ann had three children. He died at his home in Houston, on May 23, 2006.