Jack Kemp Dies

[a kennedy]

WASHINGTON — Jack Kemp, the ex-quarterback, congressman, one-time vice-presidential nominee and self-described "bleeding-heart conservative," died Saturday. He was 73.

Kemp died after a lengthy illness, according to spokeswoman Bona Park and Edwin J. Feulner, a longtime friend and former campaign adviser. Park said Kemp died at his home in Bethesda, Md., in the Washington suburbs.

Kemp had announced in January 2009 that he had been diagnosed with cancer. He said he was undergoing tests but gave no other details.

Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., called Kemp "one of the nation's most distinguished public servants. Jack was a powerful voice in American politics for more than four decades."

Kemp, a former quarterback for the Buffalo Bills, represented western New York for nine terms in Congress, leaving the House for an unsuccessful presidential bid in 1988.

Eight years later, after serving a term as President George H.W. Bush's housing secretary, he made it onto the national ticket as Bob Dole's running-mate.

With that loss, the Republican bowed out of political office, but not out of politics. In speaking engagements and a syndicated column, he continued to advocate for the tax reform and supply-side policies _ the idea that the more taxes are cut the more the economy will grow _ that he pioneered.

Kemp's rapid and wordy style made the enthusiastic speaker with the neatly side-parted white hair a favorite on the lecture circuit, and a millionaire.

here: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/05/02/jack-kemp-dies_n_195265.html

[Captain Hilts]

1. He took his job at HUD seriously, and race relations also. RIP.

He and Bill Bradley - among the few in Congress that worked with blacks as equals or took orders from them - were in the forefront of a lot of issues dealing with race.

[Sebastian Doyle]

2. Can't say I was a fan of his, but there certainly are worse Repukes than him

And cancer is something I'd only wish on the truly evil.... Like Chimp or Cheney.

Later, Jack :(

[PopSixSquish]

3. Oh Goodness - My Thoughts and Prayers Are With His Family

I liked him, seemed to be a funny guy.

[MADem]

4. Jesus, that's young. Way too young. NT.

[mtowngman]

5. Sad news, seemed like a decent man.

I remember having his football card as a kid.

[SoxFan]

6. He was a good man

Disagreed with him a lot, but Kemp was a guy who took ideas seriously and refused to engage in cheap wedge issue politics. If there were more Republicans like Jack Kemp, we'd have fewer Democrats in office, but our civic life would be far richer.

[jaysunb]

7. Sad news about a good man.

I disagreed w/ him politically, most of the times, but he was a decent guy.

RIP

[Voltaire]

8. I have to say

He was one of the most decent Republicans I ever saw. If they had more like him, they would not be going through what they are going through today. I believe his time in the AFL/NFL taught him much about race relations and he never forgot. Rest in Peace Mr. Kemp. You were a most worthy opponent.

[janx]

9. Drag. Another decent moderate dies. n/t

[jobycom]

10. Decent fellow. Always seemed to care about people and usually gave honest answers.

I remember him in a 96 debate being asked about abortion and his stated opposition to it in the face of the majority opinion that it should remain legal. He said basically that it was a non-issue because the Republicans didn't have the ability to stop it, anyway. I always appreciated that he could state an opposing opinion without hatred or insult. The world could use more people like that. Not that I agreed with him on much, just that I felt like he actually cared about something beyond his ego or his pocketbook.

RIP, Senator Kemp, and condolences to the friends and family.

[Faygo Kid]

11. Had no place in today's Rpublican Party. He was decent.

Totally disagreed with him, but that's OK. I am sure the FReepers are cheering his death. We at DU just think he was wrong, but when was the last time you heard Jack Kemp as a voice of the GOP?

[emilyg]

12. Decent man. RIP

[Maru Kitteh]

13. Thoughts and prayers to his family.