At the 1988 Vice-Presidential Debate, Indiana Senator Dan Quayle tried to liken himself to President John F. Kennedy for experience when he sought the White House. Longtime Texas Senator Lloyd Bentsen pounced, “Senator, I served with Jack Kennedy. I knew Jack Kennedy.  Jack Kennedy was a friend of mine. Senator, you’re no Jack Kennedy.” Political Dictionary now claims, “‘You’re no Jack Kennedy’ is a phrase used to deflate politicians who are perceived as thinking too highly of themselves.”

As another Kennedy, RFK Jr, seeks the presidency, it remains to be seen whether this newest member of the famous political family is up to the task of bearing the mantle as he tries to dethrone Joe Biden.

John A. Tures is a professor of political science at LaGrange College in Georgia. He can be reached at jtures@lagrange.edu. His Twitter account is @JohnTures2.