At a press conference that more resembled a garden party for Scottsdale's elite -- complete with Range Rovers and BMWs lining the streets near Ben Quayle's 44th Street campaign headquarters (we even caught Marilyn Quayle telling pals to take campaign literature to "hand out at your bridge groups") -- Quayle made it official: He's running for Congress.
Quayle told supporters, "It's gonna be up to the people of my generation to fix the mess that the establishment in Washington has created."
We could barely hold back a smirk, as Ben's old man, former Vice President Dan Quayle, was seated in the front row.
Quayle, 33, says that his youth and inexperience (no Mondale/ Reagan pun intended) will be an asset in weeding out the political insiders that have been running the country for years.
However, when asked what differentiates him from the other candidates in the crowded field vying for the Congressional seat being vacated by Congressman John Shadegg, Quayle didn't have a whole lot to say, other than his last name might give him a "bigger microphone."
Dude, look in the mirror at the political establishment. Your dad was vice president, George W. Bush's dad was president before him. And what about Washington veteran John McCain?
Speaking of... Quayle ran through the standard Republican talking points -- he wants to close the border, he wants to repeal and replace the healthcare bill -- but one thing's for sure: He supports John McCain.
"I'm not in the endorsement camp, but, although I disagree with some of the positions he's taken, I think it would be a shame if Arizona didn't send John McCain back to the Senate," Quayle says.
Political rookie and Paradise Valley Mayor Vernon Parker, who has also declared his candidacy for the seat, was quick to issue a statement welcoming Quayle into the race.
"I have great respect for the Quayle family's service to our country. In fact, I serve as their mayor," Parker says. "I welcome Ben into the race. But with due respect, his lack of discernible involvement in the community and conservative causes suggests a form of political entitlement which runs counter to the mood of most Arizonans."
Political entitlement, huh? See what we mean.
