Jack Kemp, in my mind, was the premier Republican on race relations in American politics. No one spoke to the power of markets and opportunity to empower black Americans as he did. His agenda as HUD Secretary in the first Bush administration would still be light years ahead if its time if applied today. We need more conservatives like him. What a wonderful man, and a great loss to the nation.
See Kemp's obituary at the New York Times, and also Associated Press (via Memeorandum).
Plus, check Quin Hillyer's comments on Kemp from just a couple of months ago, "What conservatives need right now is another Jack Kemp for a younger generation."
Saturday, May 2, 2009
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8 comments:
Dear Mr. Douglas: Damn. That's depressing. But thanks for the link to the Hilyer article, a fine diagnosis of what the GOP and the nation need domestically these days. It's easy to imagine Kemp speaking at a Tea Party rally, and not being refused as some GOP speakers were.
Sincerely yours,
Gregory Koster
So agree. We really do need another Jack Kemp. Maybe, just maybe that is a role that Gov. Palin could have in 2010. Can only hope! May God Bless Jack Kemp and his family.
Gregory Koster: Thanks for visiting...
He seemed like such a nice man, Mark...
DD,
I shook his hand at the 1996 san Diego Convention when he came to speak to the NY Delegation.
He was ahead of his time. He heklped inspire to do "The Republican Encyclicals,"
Senator Dole is a great man, as well as late Representative Kemp.
We stand on the shoulders of Guants, looking toward the sunrise.
I voted for him in the 88 Michigan Primary.
We all know what Jack Kemp used to be...few understand what he had become particularly to many minority Republicans who identified with his message of economic empowerment. A self-described "bleeding-heart conservative"...Jack was that and so much more.
To use one of Jack's favorite words, and a word I stole from him and used to the surprise of both friends and foes, he was indefatigable. He was also a happy warrior and an articulate champion for the cause of entrepreneurial capitalism.
Jack Kemp was the first progressive conservative Republican of the 20th Century and became a mentor to so many others who identify as such, including myself, Jeb Bush, Eric Cantor, Bobby Jindal, Bret Schundler, J.C. Watts, Mitch Daniels, Steve Forbes, Larry Kudlow and the list goes on and on...
Say hello to Jude Wannisky, Robert Bartlett and Bill Buckley for me Jack. And G-d speed my friend.
One of the good ones, no doubt.
A quickly disappearing breed. I like that he had a lot of bipartisan condolences and comments. Shows you that you can keep your ideals, do your work, and inspire others.
The GOP really needs more like Kemp, less like Palin. IMHO.
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