A toast

Posted at 11:04 AM on May 23, 2006 by Bob Collins

Today is the day that America has the longest-living ex-president/vice president in its history. Jimmy Carter and Walter Mondale have survived John Adams and Thomas Jefferson, I hear.

I was but a wee lad working at a national radio network in New York when Mondale delivered the most memorable line (for me) in politics the day after his failed presidential bid.

"I wanted to run for president in the worst way," he said, "and that's just what I did."

For the record, the second most memorable line in politics -- for me -- is actually from a movie. "In the absence of true leadership, Americans will listen to the first person at the microphone."

It wasn't my most memorable political quote, but it was one a lot of people stole over the years. "I've met John F. Jack Kennedy, Jack Kennedy was my friend, and, senator, you're no John F. Jack Kennedy," former Sen. Lloyd Bentsen said to VP Dan Quayle in a well-timed, old-school political smackdown. Bentsen, who appeared only casually interested in Mike Dukakis being elected, died this morning at 85.

Services

• Hourly Newscast
• HD Radio
• iPhone App / Mobile
• E-mail newsletters
• RSS feeds
• Podcasts
• Submit your photos
• Videos
• Weather
• Most e-mailed stories