From: sieferme@stein.u.washington.edu (Eric Sieferman)
Subject: Re: The real Dan Quayle
Organization: University of Washington, Seattle
Date: Mon, 16 Nov 1992 20:30:50 GMT

In article <BxtKqt.7wA@acsu.buffalo.edu> v115r4q5@ubvmsb.cc.buffalo.edu (Perry M Jowsey) writes:
>
> I recently posted a statement which called for some respect to the Vice Pres-
>ident Dan Quayle, and it was met with a slew of negative comments.  What I ask
>all those people who are quick to bash Quayle is to take a step back and look
>at the man with an unbiased attitude.

You seem to assume that an "objective" attitude will arrive at a
conclusion other than that the Dandroid is an idiot.  The "objective"
evidence, however, leads most of us to the conclusion that the
soon-to-be-ex VP is at best merely average and at worst a 
pampered goof.

To repeat the challenge the a.f.d-q loyalists have repeatedly
made to the Qualy apologists:  if your compendium of evidence
supporting the belief that DQ is not a blithering fool is as large
as our evidence that he is, please post it.

>I reaffirm my belief that Quayle was
>victorious in his debate with Al Gore, and not only do I believe he won but I 
>believe he did so convincingly.

Nearly everyone else is not convinced.  However, if you define "winning"
a debate as being the one who is more manic and rabid than
the opponent, then DQ did "win" the debate.

>Thus far, I have received only negative re-
>sponses, but I am sure the vast majority of the population will agree with me.

The vast majority of REPUBLICANS at the RepubliCon Convention
wanted the Bushman to dump Our Boy in favor of a real candidate.
To George's loss (and the nation's gain), he kept Dannikins.

>Quayle has embraced the conservative philosophy that will surface in the 1996 
>Presidential election, and this coupled with his ability to overcome the nega-
>tive press he endured in his four years as VP should put him in a commanding 
>position in the 1996 campaign.

Dan Quayl's single noticeable ability is that of a capable politician.
His electoral record in Indiana contained several landslides; in fact,
his loss two weeks ago was his first election defeat.  To his (small)
credit, DQ has shown that he can hold a belief longer than GHWB.

My belief (shamelessly named "Eric's Hypothesis") is that Our Boy
is a Reagan-In-Training.  DQ is photogenic, vacuous, and
usually appears innocent and non-threatening.  He is improving
his acting skills, and is getting better at delivering
bland platitudes as if they are profound nuggets of wisdom.
Most importantly, he has shown that is willing to be molded 
by powerful interests both inside and outside the RepubliCon Party,
just like Ronnie Reagan.  Whether this will be sufficient to
gain the nomination in 1996 remains to be seen.

>As for the current state of our country, I feel
>Bill Clinton should paraphrase what George Bush has said many times "God Bless 
>America" to "God Help America" because with a man of his ilk,
>we will certainly 
>need it.

If this country can survive twelve years of Reagan/Bush/Quayl/Baker,
it can survive anything.

-- 
| Eric Sieferman            |    sieferme@u.washington.edu          |
| U. of W., M.C.I.S.        |    (206) 685-3104                     |