SOUTH DAKOTA STRAIGHT TALK

Jack Kemp, the heart and soul of the Reagan Revolution in the Republican Party passed away on Saturday.

Kemp was a friend whom I was privileged to know and spend some time with. I am one of his disciples of economic growth, low taxes, and an inclusive Republican Party that seeks opportunity for all. Numerous times both on and off the campaign trail I spent quality time with him.

I first met Jack Kemp when he served as New York’s member of the 1984 GOP Convention’s Platform Committee and I represented South Dakota. Working on that Committee was one of the most thrilling weeks of my life. Also serving as members were other Conservative Opportunists including Newt Gingrich, Vin Weber, Bob Walker, Bill McCollum, Trent Lott, Bob Kasten, and Tom Loeffler. Other members included, Bob Dole, Henry Hyde, Jesse Helms, John Warner, Lowell Wiecker, Kay Orr, and even Phyllis Schafly.

Jack had an affinity for South Dakota as his grandfather and great Uncle were the original settlers of Watertown, South Dakota. The main street in Watertown is Kemp Avenue.

I met with him perhaps fifteen times over the years. I have several notable remembrances of him to relate.

When running for Vice President on the Dole Kemp ticket in 1996 he made one of his first campaign stops to Watertown for a huge rally at the Codington County Courthouse. I greeted him on the tarmac at the Watertown airport and he gave me a bear hug greeting with his huge shoulders, arms, and hands on his athletic frame.

In 1987 when running for the GOP nomination for President, I spent about an hour with him and former Governor Joe Foss in the executive office of then Business Aviation in Sioux Falls. In 1988 South Dakota had the early February primary and was an important State on the election calendar. Joe Foss was joined Kemp in Sioux Falls to endorse his candidacy. Kemp had been the player representative (union head) of the AFL Players Union while Foss was the President of the AFL. While Kemp was the union man and they were on opposite sides of the bargaining table, Foss had great respect for Kemp. They were lifelong friends and both strong Conservatives.

My father was with me that day, and he and Foss spoke of their wartime experiences. Foss of course was the Flying Ace of the South Pacific and a Congressional Medal of Honor winner, while dad was an Army tanker in North Africa and the Italian campaigns. Dad fought and survived the Battle of Kasserine Pass. Later that day after Foss’ endorsement, I observed Kemp when he was interviewed by Jules Witcover, renowned political reporter for the Baltimore Sun. It was fun watching the Big Leagues and fascinating that this jock was so impressive of his understanding on public policy, economics, and domestic and foreign affairs.

The time I probably most remember is when Jack Kemp gave me an economics lesson. He came to Pierre to speak to our annual GOP Legislative Dinner in 1987. I picked him up at the Pierre airport in the afternoon and briefed him on the local political landscape. Governor Mickelson had just been sworn in and had proposed creating the REDI Fund for economic development with a temporary one cent sales tax increase. I wanted to make sure that Kemp understood the local situation before talking about the futility of tax increases before a group of Republicans that did not have to be convinced of that message, while a new Republican Governor was trying to persuade the party faithful at the dinner that his plan was an exception to the rule.

Jack Kemp proceeded to nicely but forcefully lecture me that taxes stymie rather than increase economic growth. He intoned that the worst thing government can do is become a bank. When that happens Kemp said, financial decisions are made based on politics not markets and economics. Since our liquidity crisis ensued last September, I have thought of that day sitting in a motel room at the Kings Inn on that cold February day.

Since the Stimulus Package was passed this February and our federal debt is being increased exponentially, I keep coming back to the only way we will get back to fiscal sanity is supply side economics. Our government must halt the growth of spending and entitlements, cut taxes, create economic growth and literally grow our way to surplus. It is a big if, but if surpluses happen, they should not be another pot of money for the politicians to spend but be used to pay down the debt by buying Treasury securities.

One cannot talk of Jack Kemp without understanding he believed in the worth and potential of all. After the 2008 election, he wrote of the Republican Party:

“The Party of Lincoln, needs to rethink and revisit its historic roots as a party of emancipation, liberation, civil rights and equality of opportunity for all.”

Editorializing Monday “The Wall Street Journal” said of Jack French Kemp, “Importantly, however, and unlike many of today's Republicans, Kemp's populism was inclusive. Across his career, he ventured into neighborhoods where Republicans too rarely tread. His policy innovations included enterprise zones, public-housing vouchers and a free-trade pact for all of North America. Also like Reagan, he believed that immigrants made America stronger and more vibrant. His religious faith was strong but never censorious. Kemp's loquacious optimism was contagious, even if he did sometimes get carried away.” I could never say it any better.

Jack Kemp will be remembered and sorely missed.