Remembering Jack Kemp

It always seems to happen that you think about someone, perhaps you hadn't thought about in a while, and the next day, or a week later, something happens to that person. In my case, I hadn't thought about Jack Kemp in any serious way in ages, but something recently reminded me of him, and made me smile. But as I settled down to read the Sunday paper, I caught the Obituary for Jack Kemp, 73, and it truly saddened me.

I have never been confused for a Conservative, but as a practical pragmatist, Kemp was one of the last, if not THE last Conservative that has ever spoken to me in such a way as to possibly gain my vote. And it was the man, who lived such a wonderful life, who had achieved so much, yet remained so humble, and so likable, so "everyman", and yet so clearly extraordinary, that should be truly celebrated today.

Watching Fox News Sunday, it struck me that the people on the panels, both liberal and conservative, each spoke of Kemp as a friend first, and a great mind and leader second. I never knew the man, but I had the opportunity to hear him speak once. It was early into the Bush 41 Presidency, and he was speaking about how to use Conservative principles to help inner city businesses and housing through "empowerment zones". It was evident even then that Kemp had long-since adopted the Conservative Supply Side Theories hook, line and sinker. But unlike many of his colleagues, Kemp never lost his desire to truly, and personally, help people of all socioeconomic backgrounds.

As a Pro football player, Kemp had built long-lasting friendships with teammates--many of whom were African American, or from poorer neighborhoods. It was Kemp who had spent 18 years representing Western New York in the House of Representatives, and who had championed the notion of tax cuts and the Laffer curve, and made a career out of trying to make people's lives better.

What struck me so much about Kemp that night, and many appearances in the subsequent years, was the unwillingness he had for scapegoating, or criticizing the opponent. Jack seldom, if EVER, would take an opportunity to knock the Democrat, or opposing position. He merely preferred to make his own points, and to try to present a positive view of each issue, and how Conservatism could make the issue better. The GOP, as well as the Democrats, should take a lesson from this, when trying to craft their message over the next 18 months, in preparation for the 2010 mid-terms.

Unfortunately, Kemp was never able to make over the Republican Party in his own image. Juan Williams mentioned on Fox News Sunday, that it should have been Kemp, not Dole, Gingrich or George W. Bush to take the Conservative mantle from Reagan, and lead the party to the future.

Sadly, the public discourse may have been a lot more constructive, had someone like Jack Kemp been able to translate his principles, his optimism, and his ideas, into more of a party leadership position.

But remembering Jack Kemp is something for me to hold onto. The idea that public discourse, and ideological debates can be had without resorting to name calling, shallow cheap shots, score-keeping and bravado. Kemp proved you can make your case with care, a smile, and give people a reason to believe in you, rather than revile your opponent. I hope we all can remember him in the same vein, and perhaps try to recall that at the end of the day, we are all still on the same side.