Comments on: Jack French Kemp Heads Home

By: Darin_H

Darin_H — Sun, 03 May 2009 20:08:34 +0000

Dole, sheesh, only Republican that I can remember that ran a worse campaign than McCain.

By: azletx

azletx — Sun, 03 May 2009 19:54:20 +0000

I wish I was just a 1/10th of the man he is and now was !!

By: ZootSuit

ZootSuit — Sun, 03 May 2009 16:17:52 +0000

Although I had followed his career most of my “conservative” adult life — it should go without mention that Jack Kemp was ADAMANT about getting more African-Americans in the Republican Party — I only personally met him a few years ago. We were both boarding a flight from new York to Washington and he sat down in my (for Erick’s sake, I will add, First Class) seat. I told him he was in my seat and he asked if I would not mind switching: he had a bum right knee and was more comfortable sitting in left aisle seat. So I switched and I sat in the aisle seat across from him.

For such a thoughtful person, Jack Kemp was a gregarious man. I honestly don’t remember how the subject came up but before the plane had left the gate, we were talking about Austrian economics and Ayn Rand. In that short flight it seemed that we talked about everything. He even mentioned a then little known but severely misguided politician named Barack Obama. After the flight, we shook hands and he gave me his contact information.

I cannot say that we stayed in touch over the next year or two but we did send each other information. Truthfully, I do not know if he was more impressed with me for being a Black Republican or for being a disciple of von Hayek and Mises. But I was impressed by his aggressive intellect. The man had a true hunger and thirst for knowledge and was totally dedicated to ideas of freedom and prosperity.

The sad thing is, there are very, very few within the Republican party — indeed, within the conservative movement — who combine the qualities, the depth of thought, the commitment to conservative ideas and the gregarious optimism that draws you in. For that, and for his loss, the Republican Party and the conservative movement are much the worse today.

By: Karina

Karina — Sun, 03 May 2009 09:01:12 +0000

There isn’t anything about this on Drudge yet. Obama to be on Idol, sure, but nothing on Jack Kemp. I’m very sorry to hear of his passing. He’s one of the last giants that made our party truly “grand”. Our current leaders would go far to emulate his steadfastness, his unwavering belief in our founding fathers, and his unwillingness to compromise on core issues. (Ms. Collins and Ms. Snowe etc). We have much to look forward to including a war to take back our country from the progressives. Each battle of ideas must be fought as he played football; with enthusiasm and with no thought of defeat. For we battle not for the party but for the very soul of America.

By: Josh Painter

Josh Painter — Sun, 03 May 2009 05:10:31 +0000

between Jack Kemp and Sarah Palin, Erick. There are others. Like Kemp, Palin is an optimist and a happy warrior. I couldn’t help but smile at the recollection of how he gave campaign staffers fits by occasionally departing from the script and speaking his mind. that also brings Palin to mind. Finally, Gov. Palin shares Kemp’s abiding faith in God and his belief in freedom.

Jack Kemp bridged the gap between the Reagan years and the present for many young conservatives. His loss is tempered only by the realization that there is a new generation of Reagan disciples who will carry that great president’s message and preach it to all who will listen. Governors Palin, Jindal and Sanford, as well as Representatives Bachmann, Flake, Hensarling and Pence are just a few of those who were too young to have known Reagan personally, but old enough to have been influenced by Kemp, who kept Reagan’s flame burning brightly.

His family is in my thoughts and prayers.

- JP

By: lkdavis

lkdavis — Sun, 03 May 2009 04:34:42 +0000

A straight shooter and a stand-up guy. We don’t have enough of them in government now. His example will be missed.

By: bobojake

bobojake — Sun, 03 May 2009 04:10:53 +0000

Jack was playing Quarterback for San Diego and I was 18 years old and just graduated from USN Boot Camp in 1962. I got to go out at least twice to Balboa Stadium to watch him play what a thrill then to follow his career.
We lost a good leader, if Jack had been running for President instead of Bob Dole we probably would of won that election. Similar to if we had turned palin loose on obama and the left McCain in the duggout we would be fighting the obama thugs.

By: JadedByPolitics

JadedByPolitics — Sun, 03 May 2009 03:55:34 +0000

…

By: Erick Erickson

Erick Erickson — Sun, 03 May 2009 03:34:06 +0000

For the longest time I kept one of those yellow circles with the 15% written on it from the 1996 campaign on my wall. Kemp signed it that day in Macon.

It was for the 15% tax cut Dole campaigned on that he didn’t want but Kemp insisted on.

Lost that somewhere along the way.

By: mbecker908

mbecker908 — Sun, 03 May 2009 03:30:30 +0000

I really wished Reagan had picked Kemp instead of B41.

By: civil_truth

civil_truth — Sun, 03 May 2009 03:28:40 +0000

Able to articulate and explain conservative principle in a way people could understand, willing to stand up and fight unashamed for his convictions – but wiht integrity and without descending into the gutter, and acting consistently with his beliefs.

So unlike too many of our so-called party “leaders” today.