Former U.S. Senator Lloyd Bentsen died today at the age of 85.

He was Michael Dukakis's running mate during the 1998 U.S. presidential election. I remember watching Bentsen and Dan Quayle during the vice-presidential debate in 1988. I was 15 years old and it was the first time I had taken any interest in U.S. politics. It was an eye-opening experience. Bentsen impressed me as an intelligent person with moderate views who would put the United States's needs ahead of his own political ambition. I was disappointed that he and Dukakis went on to lose the election.