There has been much press coverage these days about the problems
of the Republican Party seeking a new identity that resonates
with Americans. Too often Republicans and conservatives seem to
lack compassion and concern for many social issues of interests
to too many Americans. In the 1960s Conservatives had little
involvement in the historic battle for civil rights. Many
Republicans opposed the civil rights act in 1964 and a great deal
of resentment grew within the African American community over
this apparent indifference.
It was of course Republicans with President Lincoln that led the
battle to end slavery and liberate blacks from the intolerable
practice. Thirty-two years earlier, William Wilberforce, a noted
Member of Parliament and British Christian leader, had led the
battle to end slavery in England. Unfortunately during the last
half of the 20th century too many conservatives, Republicans
specifically, were uninvolved in the battle. That disinterest was
tied not to bigotry but rather other priorities, including a
major battle to oppose the spread of Communism from the Soviet
Union and “Red China.”
It was a warm summer day during the 1996 campaign that the
National Association of Black Journalists held its annual
convention in Nashville. The organization, like most journalism
groups, invites presidential candidates to address its members.
On that humid Tennessee day Republican Presidential Candidate
Robert Dole and Vice Presidential Candidate Jack Kemp were slated
to speak to several thousand African-American journalists from
around the nation. Most Republicans would have described this
group as anything but a friendly organization to GOP candidates.
Senator Dole was introduced with polite applause. Then Jack Kemp
was introduced and he received a standing ovation. I sat in awe
as these black American applauded a Republican leader. Jack
stayed after his speech and shook the hand of every young
journalist who wanted to meet him. There was no story about this
incident and it has received no notice that I have ever seen. Why
did Jack get this reception? It is easy to understand why — Jack
Kemp cared and he demonstrated that care over a lifetime. He was
committed to the wisdom of a free market but he also saw that
sometimes people fell through the cracks and that government has
the responsibility to help people.
Jack was committed to giving people opportunity, not handouts. He
had the strong respect of millions of Americans. In my many
personal conversations with Jack and my work with him, that
caring attitude came through like a laser beam! Jack in the past
decade spoke strongly for a guest worker program for illegal
immigrants and a method for these folks to become legal residents
of the United States. Jack saw these people as hard workers who
were trying to achieve the American dream, one sought by millions
from throughout the world.
Jack observed one time, “Republicans many times can’t get the
words ‘equality of opportunity’ out of their mouths. Their lips
do not form that way.” He also declared, “There really
has not been a strong Republican message to either the poor or
the African American community at large.”
He also noted, “When people lack jobs, opportunity, and
ownership of property they have little or no stake in their in
their communities.”
In 1964 Senator Barry Goldwater was defeated for the presidency.
Look magazine shortly after the solid defeat asked
writer Richard Cornuelle to write a piece entitled “A Positive
Agenda for the Republican Party.” In 1965, Cornuelle published a
new book, Reclaiming the American Dream. Cornuelle, like
Jack Kemp, called on Republicans to have answers and a positive
agenda instead of constant opposition to government. He coined
the phrase “the independent section,” which described the vital
role that associations, churches, and individuals play in meeting
the needs of society.
Unfortunately, Dick Cornuelle like Jack Kemp were not seen as
providing direction for the future of the Republican Party. Jack
Kemp was a dynamic individual who, like Ronald Reagan, always saw
a glass half-full rather than half-empty. If the Republican Party
is to begin carrying a positive banner of hope and leadership, it
will need the likes of Jack Kemp. Perhaps with the loss of Jack
Kemp, the time has come for the Party and Conservatives in
general to reexamine their priorities and reach out to all
Americans.
Indeed it is a time for all Americans to rekindle their faith in
an America of strong commitment to a free market system which
strives to reach all Americans, not with hand out by with a hand
up. Kemp reminded us, “There are no limits to our future if
we don’t put limits on our people.”
At the same time, Jack never lost his commitment to the idea is
that growing economy is the only answer to enriching more
Americans instead of fewer. He saw redistribution of wealth as a
policy for failure. His vision for government was simple:
“Every time in this century we’ve lowered the tax rates
across the board, on employment, on saving, investment and
risk-taking in this economy, revenues went up, not down.” It
was interesting that another dynamic leader in the Democratic
Party held that same view, John F. Kennedy, another inspirational
leader.
Finally, as the Republican Party thinks about is future and the
Democrats, now in power, contemplate how to responsibly use their
power, we should remember Jack Kemps words “Democracy without
morality is impossible.” I, like so many others Americans of
all colors and all parties, will miss Jack Kemp.
