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Quayle also found himself enmeshed in controversy when it was alleged that his serving stateside in the [[National Guard]] during the [[Vietnam War]] was due to family connections in order to avoid the draft.<ref>[http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=940DE6DD1231F932A1575BC0A96E948260&n=Top/Reference/Times%20Topics/Organizations/R/Republican%20Party BUSH STRUGGLING TO SHED QUESTIONS ON QUAYLE SERVICE]</ref> There was more controversy over a Vice President serving in the National Guard than there was over the next President ([[Bill Clinton]]) avoiding the war altogether.

Quayle also found himself enmeshed in controversy when it was alleged that his serving stateside in the [[National Guard]] during the [[Vietnam War]] was due to family connections in order to avoid the draft.<ref>[http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=940DE6DD1231F932A1575BC0A96E948260&n=Top/Reference/Times%20Topics/Organizations/R/Republican%20Party BUSH STRUGGLING TO SHED QUESTIONS ON QUAYLE SERVICE]</ref> There was more controversy over a Vice President serving in the National Guard than there was over the next President ([[Bill Clinton]]) avoiding the war altogether.

Perhaps the lowest blow directed at Quayle occurred during his vice presidential debate with Democrat [[Lloyd Bentsen]], [[Michael Dukakis]]' running mate. Quayle had already been subjected to being asked the same question three times, an unprecedent move by the moderators who were supposed to be neutral.  When they went on to query him on his comparatively short record, he replied that he had as much Congressional experience as [[John F. Kennedy]]. Bentsen's operatives had overheard Quayle making the comment during practice, and Bentsen had already forged a reply in case the statement was made in the debate. Unwilling or unable to factually counter Quayle's assertion, Bentsen decided to take the fact that he had known Kennedy for a short while in the late 1940s and massively exaggerate it in order to make a deeply personal attack that sidestepped the issue completely, "Senator, I served with Jack Kennedy. I knew Jack Kennedy. Jack Kennedy was a friend of mine. Senator, you're no Jack Kennedy." Obviously stung by a sudden personal attack that avoided the issues, Quayle only replied "that comment was uncalled for senator".<ref>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O-7gpgXNWYI</ref>   

Perhaps the most damaging blow directed at Quayle occurred during his vice presidential debate with Democrat [[Lloyd Bentsen]], [[Michael Dukakis]]' running mate. Quayle had already been subjected to being asked the same question three times, an unprecedent move by the moderators who were supposed to be neutral.  When they went on to query him on his comparatively short record, he replied that he had as much Congressional experience as [[John F. Kennedy]]. Bentsen's replied, "Senator, I served with Jack Kennedy. I knew Jack Kennedy. Jack Kennedy was a friend of mine. Senator, you're no Jack Kennedy." Obviously stung by a sudden personal attack that avoided the issues, Quayle only replied "That comment was uncalled for senator".<ref>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O-7gpgXNWYI</ref>   

Incredibly, the vicious personal attack was not condemned by the press as unprofessional and unbecoming and instead actually became a rallying cry for the Democratic party, but also led to a tactical mistake on the part of the Dukakis-Bentsen ticket.  They decided to make a concerted effort to attack Quayle's performance and worthiness instead of focusing on attacking the Presidential candidate George Bush. The Bush-Quayle ticket coasted to victory in November.

Incredibly, the vicious personal attack was not condemned by the press as unprofessional and unbecoming and instead actually became a rallying cry for the Democratic party, but also led to a tactical mistake on the part of the Dukakis-Bentsen ticket.  They decided to make a concerted effort to attack Quayle's performance and worthiness instead of focusing on attacking the Presidential candidate George Bush. The Bush-Quayle ticket coasted to victory in November.