In George Bush you get experience, and with me you get - The Future!

The quote "In George Bush you get experience, and with me you get - The Future!" by Dan Quayle reflects a moment during his political career when he was running as a vice-presidential candidate alongside George H.W. Bush in the 1988 U.S. presidential election. Quayle was attempting to position himself as a fresh, forward-thinking candidate, contrasting his youth and vision for the future with Bush’s extensive experience in politics. In this statement, Quayle emphasizes that while Bush brought a wealth of experience, he offered a more forward-looking perspective focused on the future.

Quayle's attempt to frame himself as a candidate for change and progress highlights the generational divide between him and Bush. By saying "you get the future," Quayle was aligning himself with new ideas and modernization, suggesting that his youth and outlook would bring innovation and vision to the political landscape, while Bush’s experience, although valuable, represented the past. The quote seeks to position him as a leader who could shape what was coming next, rather than relying on the established norms.

However, the quote became somewhat of a political gaffe due to its simplistic nature and the way it inadvertently minimized the value of experience in governance. While Quayle’s intention was likely to highlight his vision, many saw the statement as dismissive of Bush’s vast experience, which was a key asset in his political career. The idea of offering "the future" was interpreted by some as overly ambitious or even naïve, especially when contrasted with Bush’s practical experience in foreign policy and government leadership.

Ultimately, Dan Quayle’s quote captures his attempt to carve out a distinct identity in the election and appeal to voters seeking change. While his message about the future was an important theme in his political rhetoric, the quote became a notable example of how political language can sometimes be misinterpreted or backfire. Despite this, the contrast between experience and the future remained a key point in the political discourse surrounding the 1988 election.