During the malaise known as the Jimmy Carter presidency, Congressman Jack Kemp of Buffalo, New York was touting the benefits of supply-side economics, upsetting many Republicans (they viewed it as fiscally unsound) and Democrats (less revenue meant smaller government). Kemp died of cancer this evening. He was 73.
The former Buffalo Bills quarterback proved that an urban area could elect a conservative Republican. Besides his advocacy of tax-cuts, Kemp was a chief proponent of using enterprise zones as a way to revitalize impoverished areas. Democrats believed--they still do--in higher taxes as the way to eradicate poverty.
Kemp later moved on to serve as George H.W. Bush's Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, and was Bob Dole's running mate in the 1996 presidential election.
Kemp championed conservative causes his entire life; not only that, he redefined conservatism.
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell said Kemp was "one of the nation's most distinguished public servants. Jack was a powerful voice in American politics for more than four decades."
Wizbang has a great tribute to Kemp posted, as does Prairie Pundit, Chicago News Bench, and Hot Air.
Rest in peace.
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Hey John,
ReplyDeleteI actually got to meet jack Kemp twice. The first time was one of my earliest political memories. I was doing political grassroots training as a teenager at Illinois State University (Jan/Feb 1988) and Jack Kemp was in town for his niece's weddding. His brother lives in Bloomington and he stopped by to talk with the 30 or so of us that had assembled at the Bone Student Center for the day's training. He took one question from the audience and he called on me. I asked him about his position on minimum wage laws. He was opposed and thought they were unnecessary. He would have been a great President and he was the first movement conservative that we are in need of more of.