"That's the really neat thing about Dan Quayle, as you must have realized from the first moment you looked into those lovely blue eyes: impeachment insurance"

Barbara Ehrenreich's quote about Dan Quayle uses a combination of sarcasm and astute political commentary. To unpack it effectively, we need to think about the historic context, the individuals included, and the subtle layers of meaning contained within a relatively easy statement.

Dan Quayle acted as the 44th Vice President of the United States from 1989 to 1993 under President George H. W. Bush. Throughout his tenure, Quayle was frequently the subject of media examination and public satire, mostly because of frequent gaffes and a viewed lack of political acumen. In this quote, Ehrenreich use that public perception, recommending Quayle's existence in office functioned as "impeachment insurance" for President Bush.

The term "impeachment insurance" insinuates that the prospect of Quayle ascending to the presidency would be so unwanted that it efficiently protected Bush from impeachment. The concept is that no matter how poorly Bush may perform, the alternative-- Quayle taking charge-- would be less palatable.

Ehrenreich's preliminary description of Quayle's "lovely blue eyes" presents the element of sarcasm. By concentrating on a shallow quality, she weakens his competence, implying that Quayle's appeal is purely cosmetic, doing not have in genuine substance or intellectual depth. This highlights a typical criticism of Quayle, recommending he was chosen more as a token than as a capable leader, with his appeal and look being among his couple of noteworthy qualities.

This statement by Ehrenreich reviews not simply Quayle but also the political system that permitted him to rise to such a prominent position. It raises concerns about the choice process for high-ranking officials and the qualities valued in political figures. Eventually, her amusing review works as a suggestion of the significance of compound over design in political leadership.