A Meaty Debate

Walter Mondale had his own shining moment earlier that year, when debating other Democratic candidates in March. "When I hear your new ideas, I'm reminded of that ad, 'Where's the beef?'" Mondale told Gary Hart, to the audience's delight. The already famous Wendy's commercial tagline became a full-blown meme. Years later, the moment still provided punchlines on "The Simpsons." When Lisa reads a newspaper headline about the debate, Homer laughs and says, "'Where's the beef?' No wonder he won Minnesota!" Minnesota was the only state Mondale won in the election.