Note to Republicans: Channel Jack Kemp

NY Times ^ | SAM TANENHAUS

[driftless2]

Just what Pubbies need....advice from a person who hates conservative Republicans.

[Wuli]

more Liberals trying to tell Conservatives to behave more like Liberals, so they won’t offer a choice, just an echo, and continue to lose

[sickoflibs]

RE :”His performance in the Vice Presidential debate that year was atrocious! He never once challenged his opponent, and didn't really explain the positions he and Dole were taking. I was so disappointed, because I really thought he could do so much good as VP. “

Early 1993 I saw him give a speech on CSPAN talk about capital gains tax cuts and minorities and I thought we had something special.

But by 1996 I realized how weak he was. He was going to fix all our problems with tax cuts, the economy would boom and no one would want any form of welfare. No immediate spending cuts were necessary. It would all work out.

It was all crap.

And he was great for explaining why he disagreed with conservatives.

[Psalm 144]

You are correct. He assumed good faith and a modicum of self discipline and ambition. Those were the mistakes in his premises in some enclaves.

[Monmouth78]

Kemp was a favorite of the corporate crowd.

[Psalm 144]

He was. He was one of the ‘managerial’ types.

[Bigg Red]

Why do they advise Republicans to channel the losers?

***
Hint: This is the NYT.

[conservatism_IS_compassion]

Kemp lost, which is why the NYT wants his naivete repeated

Kemp blew the 1996 VP run, particularly the debate, BIG TIME! It was a classic case of ONE “Aw, s— “ canceling out dozens of “Atta boy!”s.

Before that debate, Kemp was THE MAN. He so transformed the Republican political landscape that whenever you call a Bob Dole or Bob Michaels a “RINO” you are channeling Jack Kemp. Before accepting the VP candidacy, Kemp had called Dole “the tax collector for the welfare state.”

Kemp’s blunder in the ’96 debate with Al Gore was simple - he failed to take on the mandatory role of a political candidate. Namely, to defend the honor of his constituency. Al Gore gave Kemp a backhanded compliment that Kemp was the only Republican who wasn’t a racist - and Kemp actually thanked him!! Before then, Kemp had been my political hero. After that, not so much.

In place of Jack Kemp, Dole should have nominated Thomas Sowell. He sure wouldn’t have lost any worse . . .

[Pietro]

In another era I could be supportive of Kemp-like moderation, but not today, not in an era where we are opposed and attacked daily by zealous athiests whose intention is to tear down our civilization to its very foundation.

There can be no reasoning w/ our opponents; we must make it clear to the people what our enemies want and what they are willing to do to achieve it.

The democratic party has become a force of societal destruction w/ which we cannot compromise.

[GOPsterinMA]

Speaking of dead Republicans: RIP to Mickey Rooney, dead at 93.

I remember him saluting RR at his funeral; added to my tears.

[Pelham]

Jack Kemp, during the VP debate Al Gore congratulated Kemp on being unlike the racist hayseed conservatives that supported him- and Kemp proudly agreed with Gore. Kemp was a fool.

[dfwgator]

He was dead to me after that debate.

[Pelham]

Yes, and from reading the posts on this thread it looks like a lot of us remember that stupidly insulting and self righteous action by Kemp.

Out here in SoCal we also remember HUD Secretary Jack Kemp bullying the city of Costa Mesa when Costa Mesa was trying to reserve HUD housing for Americans- Kemp, a big lover of illegal immigrants, squashed Costa Mesa even though this harmed poor Americans. What a jerk.