Dan Quayle Makes E-Mail Pitch for Son Ben Quayle

By: Stephanie Condon
Topics: Republicans ,; Campaign 2010

(Credit: AP Photo/Matt York)

Ben Quayle received some last-minute help yesterday from his father, former Vice President Dan Quayle, in his campaign to represent Arizona's third congressional district.

Quayle is in a brutal 10-way Republican primary battle for retiring Rep. John Shadegg's open seat. He's raised more money than any of his opponents and has more name recognition, but Quayle has been hounded by allegations that he wrote for the now-defunct, raunchy gossip website DirtyScottsdale.com, which now exists as TheDirty.com.

Dan Quayle sent Ben's supporters an e-mail Monday night, Politico reports, in which he addressed the allegations, writing, "With the recent turn of events, I cannot, in good conscience, remain silent."

Ben Quayle's leading opponent, businessman Steve Moak, ran an ad hammering Quayle for his association with the site.

"I took my fair share of outrageous slams in politics, but Steve Moak's vicious smear against my son is over the top and unprecedented," Dan Quayle wrote. "I have never in my 35 years of politics seen such an ugly, slanderous assault in the closing days of a campaign against a fellow Republican."

CBSNews.com Special Report: Campaign 2010

Ben Quayle initially denied posting to the website but later acknowledged he posted some comments.

The prominent candidate managed to turn the spotlight away from the website temporarily with his own brash political ad, in which he says, "Barack Obama is the worst president in history."

Former Vice President Dan Quayle sent out an e-mail Monday in support of his son's congressional campaign.

(Credit: AP)

Quayle has raised more than $1.3 million in campaign funds with the help of his father, Politico reports, while Moak has managed to raise $547,000 and contributed $300,000 of his own money to his campaign.

The candidates are up against a number of other very conservative opponents, Politics Daily reports. They include Vernon Parker, the African-American mayor of Paradise Valley who was endorsed by controversial Sheriff Joe Arpaio of Maricopa County, as well as Pamela Gorman, a 41-year-old state senator who co-sponsored Arizona's controversial immigration bill and ran a campaign ad featuring her firing a Thompson sub-machine gun (watch the ad here).

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Stephanie Condon
Stephanie Condon is a political reporter for CBSNews.com.
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by Joutue August 25, 2010 12:20 AM EDT: By Joutue August 24,2010 11:08 PM

Well , since Ben lied to begin with, were sure he'd do the same on other things. Even while in an official position, and not be helpful to our country, or the people.; Reply to this comment


by nearl451 August 24, 2010 10:32 PM EDT: Happy Potatoes for all.; Reply to this comment


by notquayle August 24, 2010 9:47 PM EDT: If Mr. Quayle thinks what President Obama has done to date is worse than the things his predecessor did, either Mr. Quayle was not paying attention between 2001 and 2009 and/or he is too partisan to serve all Arizonans fairly and/or he is unfamiliar with the law.

Throughout his term of office, President Obama has acted within the bounds of the law and within the realm of common sense, while Mr. Bush did not act within the bounds of the law and operated outside the realm of common sense. Factually, Mr. Bush committed many, many illegal and borderline treasonous acts. Of this, there is absolutely no question.

Through his inane, immoral, illegal and treasonous acts, not to mention his fractured speaking patterns, Mr. Bush disgraced, dishonored, endangered and bankrupted our country.

In short, Mr. Bush was, without question and without bias and with an understanding of the law, the worst person ever to occupy the Oval Office, worse, even than Mr. Nixon or Mr. Reagan, to name but two.; Reply to this comment


by jimatmadison August 24, 2010 9:25 PM EDT: Dan Quayle wrote. "I have never in my 35 years of politics seen such an ugly, slanderous assault in the closing days of a campaign against a fellow Republican."

Apparently DQ forgot about the 'black baby' smear campaign George W Bush ran against John McCain in South Carolina in 2000.; Reply to this comment


by stn_sage August 24, 2010 7:08 PM EDT: I don't like political families because the following generations seem to do a worse and worse job of representation!

On the basis of what I've read about BQ's positions, I'd say he's one of the worst examples of this phenomenon!

The voters need to really consider whether or not their district needs his representation!; Reply to this comment

by irreverent1-2009 August 24, 2010 6:24 PM EDT

Is this the sequel to Dumb and Dumber?

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by ToolMangler1 August 24, 2010 6:35 PM EDT: You took the words right out of my mouth..... Fives!!!!!!

by Myopinion046 August 24, 2010 6:17 PM EDT

Cronyism and nepotism should tell you that the politicos what to keep politics within the family rather than including real Americans.

Reply to this comment


by Myopinion046 August 24, 2010 6:24 PM EDT: Apologies for the double posting.


by Myopinion046 August 24, 2010 6:16 PM EDT: Cronyism and nepotism should tell you that the politicos are about keeping politics within the family and excluding regular Americans.; Reply to this comment


by yerhumps August 24, 2010 6:06 PM EDT: Ben Quyale looks like something the cat dragged out of the gutter. He has the same vacant squint eyed look of stupidity as his father. He has nothing to recommend him for public office. His video attacking President Obama is completely amateurish. Ben, the country has had enough of your benighted kind. Go home to your mommy little man and stand in the corner. Dunce!; Reply to this comment