I think the difference in reaction is much simpler . . . Quayle's comment about Murphy Brown was to denigrate and was disconnected from the national view of support for single parents, while the Will & Grace comment by Biden was reflective of the growing support for same sex marriage.

Like many other social conservatives, Quayle failed to realize that the country had moved on the issue and was friing an early shot on the so called "war against women."