Dan Quayle

In preparation for a continuing education class on the vice-presidency that I was going to teach I re-read “Standing Firm”, this being my third reading. I read many biographies and vice-presidential memoirs are within my purview (see my reviews of Richard Nixon's "Six Crises", Hubert Humphrey’s “The Education of a Public Man”, Walter Mondale’s “The Good Fight” and Dick Cheney’s “In My Time”). Dan Quayle gives us an inside perspective on the first Bush administration, which presided over a crucial period in the lives of most readers. It is written in a style that is easy to follow and to understand. I know what some of you are thinking. Of course it is simple, it is written by Dan Quayle. Get off it! It is not written simply, it is written very well!

In "Standing Firm" Former Vice-President Quayle provides the reader with his view of the administration led by George H.W. Bush. While Quayle obviously has very high respect for President Bush, he is hard on others in the administration including, at times, himself. It seems that the only ones above criticism are President and Mrs. Bush and Marilyn Quayle. There is plenty of honest assessment of others to satisfy any but the most sanguine reader.

Mr. Quayle gives us an introduction to his early life, which disposes of the claim that he came was a trust fund baby who rode to school in a limousine. It sounds like he really came from an upper middle-class family.

These are times worth looking back on. He gives us his perspectives on the issues which confronted the administration and him personally. He begins the book with the call to be the running mate and the chaotic rush to get through the crowd to Spanish Plaza in New Orleans for the announcement at which he was, as he admits "too hot." He then steps back to us on a walk along the road leading to his selection. It wasn't something that just happened. He was a carefully thought out choice. After the announcement the press assault immediately began. The first to come to his defense were his neighbors at the "Battle of Huntington." He gives us his own impression of the famous "You're no Jack Kennedy" incident.

With the election won, Quayle started to establish his own role. His analysis of the opportunities for a vice-president and the pitfalls, such as taking a position without the clout to be effective, give the reader a unique perspective on the office. He carved out a particular interest in Latin America. His perspectives on Desert Storm, the Clarence Thomas nomination, the saving of President Aquino and the nailing of Noriega provide up close looks at crucial events of the era. He provides reminders of his prophetic calls for legal reform (some of which have become standard) and recognition of family values. Remember the "Murphy Brown" speech?

With victory won in the Gulf, the political juggernaut, seemingly invincible, started to sputter, stopping before crossing the finish line in 1992. Quayle gives us his viewpoint of what went wrong and why.

Vice-Presidents have unique perspectives on the administrations in which they serve. Whether your interest is in the vice-presidency, the era or Quayle himself, this is a book you will enjoy.… (meer)