Lloyd Bentsen Quotes
A collection of quotes by Lloyd Bentsen.
Lloyd Bentsen, born on February 11, 1921, in Mission, Texas, was an American politician and statesman who served as a U.S. Senator, Treasury Secretary, and was the Democratic vice presidential nominee in 1988.
Bentsen began his political career as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives, representing Texas's 15th congressional district from 1949 to 1955. In 1970, he successfully ran for the U.S. Senate and served four terms, making him one of Texas's longest-serving senators. Known for his moderate views and bipartisan approach, Bentsen was highly respected on both sides of the aisle.
In 1988, Bentsen was chosen as the running mate for Democratic presidential nominee Michael Dukakis. Despite the ticket's defeat to George H. W. Bush and Dan Quayle, Bentsen's performance during the vice presidential debate gained him widespread admiration. His famous remark to Quayle, "Senator, you're no Jack Kennedy," is remembered as one of the most memorable moments in U.S. political history.
After the election, Bentsen was appointed as Secretary of the Treasury by President Bill Clinton in 1993 and played a crucial role in shaping economic policy during his tenure. He helped steer the country through financial challenges, including supporting the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) and working towards deficit reduction.
Lloyd Bentsen retired from politics in 1993 but remained influential in public life until his death on May 23, 2006, in Houston, Texas. His impressive political career and dedication to bipartisan collaboration left a lasting impact on American politics.
