Jack Kemp: 1935-2009
It it with great sorrow that I read the news this evening of the passing of former Congressman, Cabinet Secretary and VP Candidate Jack Kemp. He was one of the good guys in politics.
Rest In Peace. I’m sure there is a touch football game in Heaven tonight.
UPDATE: Kemp’s last syndicated column was in honor of his great hero, Abraham Lincoln. Here’s a key passage which sums up Kemp’s philosophy as well:
For Abraham Lincoln, true welfare meant not dependency, but well-being; not equality of reward, but equality of opportunity; not reliance on the state, but reliance on oneself and one’s family. He wrote, prophetically, “The progress by which the poor, honest, industrious and resolute man raises himself, that he may work on this own account and hire somebody else … is the great principle for which this government was really formed.”
Nick (ColoradoPatriot) is right. America has lost a great defender of liberty in Jack Kemp.
-Bruce (GayPatriot)
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Bruce, you beat me by 2 minutes on the post.
What I wrote in mine was that now is an even more apropos time to work toward his goal of smaller government, lower taxes, and individual liberty.
We as conservatives must preserve the lagacies of men like Kemp and Reagan and carry their mantle toward the vision of liberty in America that they worked so hard to secure.
Liberty lost a great champion this evening. We owe it to him to continue his fight.
Comment by ColoradoPatriot — May 2, 2009 @ 10:54 pm - May 2, 2009
I just found out something interesting that I never knew about Jack Kemp. His middle name was French.
How curious that he never had to constantly remind everyone that his initials were “JFK”. Kemp’s quiet, serious resolve stands in contrast to the bombastic and arrogance of the other JFK in today’s politics: Mr. Kerry of Massachusetts.
Comment by GayPatriot — May 2, 2009 @ 11:27 pm - May 2, 2009
What a sad commentary, that a closeted gay senator who had to prove himself by being a leading supporter of anti-gay legislation, has died never being true to himself, I hope somewhere, somehow, he can be forgiven for his antigay rhetoric.
Comment by Jason — May 2, 2009 @ 11:32 pm - May 2, 2009
Jason:
If you don’t have some sort of proof of such an allegation, you should be ashamed of yourself for spitting on the grave of a great American whose body isn’t even cold yet.
If you do, you simply show the arrogance and solipcism of the Gay Left to not understand that one can be both gay and conservative, and that just because someone is gay doesn’t mean he has to subscribe to the narrow-minded Leftist dogma of HRC and simplistic buffoons like you.
Comment by ColoradoPatriot — May 3, 2009 @ 12:13 am - May 3, 2009
2: Jeez, that was certainly unnecessary. You put up a post to honor the memory of someone you see as embodying the ideals of Republicans, yet you respond to you own post to use it as unnecessary and meaningless point. Not a lot of class there, and you wonder why Republicans are viewed as being mean-spirited.
Comment by Kevin — May 3, 2009 @ 1:32 am - May 3, 2009
One of the good guys? Kemp had one of the most extreme anti-gay voting records of anyone in Congress. He thought gay men and women should not teach in public schools. He was against providing any kind of legal recognition of gay relationships.
What planet are you on? On what basis do you claim Kemp was one of the good guys – because he was for the tax cuts that today’s lost and clueless Republican party still clamors for?
Kemp was anti-gay. Period. And regarding the 40 years of rumors about his own sexuality – I hope he was gay or bisexual. At least that would provide understanding for his hateful stance on gay rights – meaning, like Larry Craig, he was covering up for himself. I’d hate to think he was just another hateful, straight homophobe.
Comment by joe — May 3, 2009 @ 2:25 am - May 3, 2009
Even I would have to agree. He wasn’t a bad person
Comment by Tom in Lazybrook — May 3, 2009 @ 2:33 am - May 3, 2009
Gay or not he was a great patriot who wasn’t part of the hateful, divisive Republicans populating Washington today. Conservatives, especially in the GLBT community, need to step up to the plate and take back the GOP from the Ultra Right Christian Wing which is neither Conservative or mindful of the founders intentions. GLBT Conservatives have long remained silent, almost self-loathing, in an attempt to sacrifice our own identities for the sake of some convoluted sense of the “common good”. Jack Kemp’s record on gay rights was not stellar. However, that lone position must not define his contribution to America. I would venture to guess that had Mr. Kemp not been in a position to have the ultra Right breathing down his back, he may very well have conceded that issues like equality and marriage for the GLBT community are decidedly Conservative issues. Less government means less intrusion into our personal lives. On that point the GLBT community must never surrender and recognize that we do have common ground with our more liberal brothers and sisters in this regard. Jack Kemp served America well. It is most appropriate to celebrate that which he contributed to the American discourse regardless of his personal position and isn’t that, in and of itself, a decidedly Conservative thing to do?.
Comment by Silas Kain — May 3, 2009 @ 2:50 am - May 3, 2009
You mean less classy than desperately trying to use the name of a dead man to inflate your popularity somewhere higher than that of a dentist’s drill?
Comment by ThatGayConservative — May 3, 2009 @ 3:36 am - May 3, 2009
Silas, would you please back up your allegations with some facts to show that the contemporary GOP is as bad as you say it is. Links to left-wing blogs don’t count. Thanks.
Comment by GayPatriotWest — May 3, 2009 @ 4:41 am - May 3, 2009
I love, love LOVE that when the left reaaally wants to smear someone, they call him… GAY!
Seriously, what universe do you live in? Cus it aint this one. The conservative base of the party — the people attending tea parties and demanding that the party return to our conservative, founding principles are overwhelmingly Christian. And liberals share common ground with us about less government????
Seriously! What bizarro world are you living in?
Comment by American Elephant — May 3, 2009 @ 5:56 am - May 3, 2009
As much as I love Gay Patriot, i really do hate, hate, HATE your filter!!!! *stomps feet and shakes fist*
Comment by American Elephant — May 3, 2009 @ 5:58 am - May 3, 2009
A funeral is not the time for scoring dubious political points. Folks, that’s disturbingly low-rent. Perhaps this has something to do web anonymity and that it would not be their instinct in person. I’d like to think so, anyway.
Without doubt, he was a truly great man. Living briefly in Buffalo, he was always spoken of fondly. Right before the first Gulf War, I had the pleasure of meeting him and the concensus is correct: his energy was infectious.
Tirelessly promoting free-market principles on behalf of the poor, he was one of the brightest lights in the 80′s right. And well worth the stock phrase “conscience of the GOP.”
My condolances to his family. May their faith sustain them.
Cordially,
-MFS
Comment by MFS — May 3, 2009 @ 6:56 am - May 3, 2009
Have comments been closed at HuffPo yet?
Comment by V the K — May 3, 2009 @ 8:23 am - May 3, 2009
#3: You are apparently peddling long ago discredited rumors, as this WaPo link shows – http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/politics/special/clinton/frenzy/kemp.htm
#6: Kemp apparently did hold some positions I find to be anti-gay, the primary one being against gay teachers:
http://www.nytimes.com/1996/08/11/us/in-his-own-words-jack-kemp-and-the-issues.html?n=Top/Reference/Times%20Topics/People/K/Kemp,%20Jack%20F.
Some of his other views involving gays I also find to be objectionable, such as opposing SCOTUS’ striking down of Colorado’s Amendment 2. I don’t know if I could have voted for him knowing all of this. I certainly don’t recall any of this in 1996 when I did vote for him as Veep. Still, there is much to praise in this flawed, but gifted man, that shook up the GOP and that is what I’ll focus on in remembering him. RIP, Jack.
Comment by John — May 3, 2009 @ 10:20 am - May 3, 2009
Congressman Kemp was indeed a fine man. I had the opportunity to spend some time with him in the mid 80′s when he enjoyed a long weekend with my best friend at the time, President of a College Young Republican Club. The conflict between him enjoying a long weekend at the beach with my friend and his public stances were a part of the times and have mostly gone away for a great many closeted/bi elected officials. Although there will always be a Lott or Craig here and there, the passage of time has seen and will continue to see closeted elected officials simply voting on issues and not feeling they need to take the lead in order to avoid detection. Just as we will never again have a president who hasn’t tried a drug or two, there will soon be a day when people will once again mind their own business regarding an elected officials sex life and let them simply concentrate on representing their constituents.
Comment by Virginian — May 3, 2009 @ 11:33 am - May 3, 2009
Yeah, you’re right. I’m reminded of the 2002 Paul Wellstone liberal circle jerk and “memorial service”.
Comment by ThatGayConservative — May 3, 2009 @ 2:21 pm - May 3, 2009
When we think of Jack Kemp, immediately we think of Enterprise Zones as a way to revitalize and bring employment to the inner cities. He and Ronald Reagan, while being conservatives were genteel. Ronald Reagan gave us the eleventh cammandment, Thou shalt not speak ill of a fellow Republican. Jack Kemp believed that the Republican Party should be a big tent party, racially, ethnically, and philosophically. I think the best way the Republican Party can honor both of these fine gentlemen would be to practice the eleventh commandment and actively reach out to blacks, hispanics, gays and lesbians. and moderates, remebering that President Reagan said, ¨the person who agrees with me eighty percent is my friend, not my enemy.¨
RIP Jack Kemp
Comment by Roberto — May 3, 2009 @ 2:42 pm - May 3, 2009
Congressman Jack Kemp will probably be remembered mostly for Enterprise Zones to revitalize and bring employment to the inner cities.
He, like President Ronald Reagan, while being conservative; they were both genteel. The latter gave the Republican Party the eleventh commandment, ¨Thou shalt not speak ill of a fellow Republican.¨ Jack believed that the Republican Party should a big tent party that should include minorities, racial and ethnic, and moderates. He believed, as did Ronald Reagan, the person that agrees with me eiighty percent is my friend and not my enemy. They showed that a Republican can be conservative without being strident. The best way the party can honor the memory of these two fine gentleman is to reinstate the eleventh commandment and do an agressive outreach that will include gays and lesbians in the effort to grow with the times. I would hope that Chairman Michael Steele, in his search for candidates, will look for those who seem to embody the ideals of Jack Kemp. May he rest in peace.
Comment by Roberto — May 3, 2009 @ 4:07 pm - May 3, 2009
Hmmm…
According to Joe, anti-gay bigots like Obama, Kerry, Clintons, Algore, Edwards, Dean, Biden etc. etc. etc. are closeted gays. Who knew?
Comment by ThatGayConservative — May 3, 2009 @ 9:50 pm - May 3, 2009
Hence the difference between Gay Patriots and libtards. If a liberal icon (say Teddy Kennedy) were to pass away, we would be respectful and not bash him once his body assumed room temperature. Yes, we would recall true episodes of his life (Chappaquiddick, anyone?), but treat him with respect and note the positives of his life.
The same cannot be said for our enemies across the aisle.
Looking at some of the posts these HuffPo/Kossacks have displayed with respect to Kemp, I just hope that all of you realize how much hate and rage is consumed in your respective lives. You are angry, mean-spirited little people and may God have mercy on your souls.
Just remember, kiddos – what goes around comes around. Trust me.
Regards,
Peter H.
Comment by Peter Hughes — May 4, 2009 @ 11:04 am - May 4, 2009
Jack was my friend.
He was a good man and like many good men, he had to work through many personal conflicts. He made his life’s choices, sometimes having to choose between the degrees of “less bad”.
His and my generation had to confront many cases of cultural and homophobic biasis which may no longer exist.
Jack loved his wife and children. He loved his country and his fellow countrymen. He was never an angry man. Never did he show hatred towards those with whom he disagreed. His family were of course aware of the many “rumors”, yet Jack had to balance his love for his family with his own private sexuality.
His and my life’s paths were similar. Like Jack, I was married, and have several children. Of the same generation, I knew my chances of succeeding in my chosen profession would have been greatly diminished if it were known I was gay. So, like Jack, I remained closeted, loved my wife and children, and took opportunities discretely. It was a different time.
Now, unlike Jack, I am out and divorced.
I salute and am grateful to those who have tirelessly worked to secure our natural rights as gay americans. But each must make his own personal decisions, and none has the right to criticize another for his own decisions.
And, like Jack, I am a committed Christian (Presbyterian), and vote Republican.
He was a good man. Honor him. Reflect upon a man who had to choose his own path in difficult times.
Jack I salute you, and I’ll miss you.
Comment by man — May 4, 2009 @ 1:51 pm - May 4, 2009
So #21, you think it’s more respectful to bash Ted Kennedy now, while he’s alive and suffering brain cancer, than after he’s gone?
Oh, you thought we didn’t notice.
Comment by Randy — July 31, 2009 @ 1:36 pm - July 31, 2009