How soon we forget

There was more attention than usual given to the vice presidential candidates in this year's election. Of course, it's important to know something about the Joe Bidens and Sarah Palins since they could end up in the Oval Office. Truth is, though, most vice presidential candidates are forgotten pretty fast.

Just go back 20 years. George Bush I was Ronald Reagan's vice president, but who did Bush pick for his? And, what Democrat did Bush run against in 1988, and who was that fellow's vice presidential pick?

If you said Dan Quayle was Bush's VP, you're right. And the Democratic ticket of 1988 was Michael Dukakis at the top and Lloyd Bentsen in the second chair.

And, who was Jimmy Carter's vice president in the late 1970s?

Answer: Walter Mondale, who ran unsuccessfully for president in 1984. But who was Mondale's running mate?

Answer: Geraldine Ferraro, the first woman to seek the VP post.

Maybe you know that Gerald Ford was Richard Nixon's second vice president, after Spiro Agnew resigned in disgrace. But who was appointed VP after Ford took over from Nixon?

Answer: Nelson Rockefeller, former New York governor and uncle of Senator Jay Rockefeller of West Virginia.

We bet that many of these names are unknown to younger folks today. How soon we forget some of the people who brushed up against being president.