He was a true gentleman and a great sportsman, and tonight he has passed away at the age of 74: RIP: Jack Kemp.
WASHINGTON (AP) — Jack Kemp, the ex-quarterback, congressman, one-time vice-presidential nominee and self-described “bleeding-heart conservative” died Saturday. His spokeswoman Bona Park and longtime friend and former campaign adviser Edwin J. Feulner confirmed that Kemp died after a lengthy illness.
3 |
Pvt Bin Jammin Sat, May 2, 2009 8:20:01pm |
Rest in Peace, Mr. Kemp. You will be missed.
| 4 |
lifeofthemind Sat, May 2, 2009 8:23:09pm |
May flights of angels sing thee to thy rest.
| 5 |
doppelganglander Sat, May 2, 2009 8:23:10pm |
Very sad. I still have a Kemp ‘96 campaign pin, from before he accepted the VP nomination under Dole.
| 6 |
Mich-again Sat, May 2, 2009 8:23:15pm |
You knew he was a reasonable guy because he took shots from both the Left and the Right. Quarterbacks are used to that.
| 7 |
Shug Sat, May 2, 2009 8:23:48pm |
Kemp was a 17th round 1957 NFL draft pick by the Detroit Lions but was cut before the season began
Thus clearing the way for many great accomplishments on and off the field.
I can’t imagine what would have happened to him had he stayed with the Lions.
————————————————————————————
In 11 seasons, he sustained a dozen concussions, two broken ankles and a crushed hand — which Kemp insisted a doctor permanently set in a passing position so that he could continue to play.
They don’t make them like this any more.
Wow.
| 9 |
_RememberTonyC Sat, May 2, 2009 8:24:22pm |
Jack Kemp was just the type of leader the GOP needs right now.
| 11 |
Randall Gross Sat, May 2, 2009 8:25:19pm |
I didn’t always agree with Jack, but he gave a good try on Taxes. (Kemp Dole Tax Plan, anyone remember it now?)
| 13 |
SasquatchOnSteroids Sat, May 2, 2009 8:26:15pm |
His spokeswoman Bona Park and longtime friend and former campaign adviser Edwin J. Feulner confirmed that Kemp died after a lengthy illness.
Very hard to watch someone get worse, day after day. My heart goes out to the family.
| 14 |
NJDhockeyfan Sat, May 2, 2009 8:26:28pm |
re: #9 _RememberTonyC
Jack Kemp was just the type of leader the GOP needs right now.
Is there anyone standing out right now? I don’t see anyone to get excited about yet.
| 16 |
HoosierHoops Sat, May 2, 2009 8:27:56pm |
Jack represented what was good about Americans..Upfront..True..Honest..Strong and let’s face it..he was a handsome NFL QB. A true Gentleman..May God bless him and his family..
| 17 |
mingjaiyo Sat, May 2, 2009 8:28:29pm |
Whoa…I’m stunned. Just checked in from a brief vacation from the ugly reality of the world, watching the Celts win a game 7 to see what’s happening and I see this. Jack was definitely one of the good guys and,unfortunately, seemingly a dying breed in the Repub Party. Perhaps someday the hoped for backlash against O’s fiscal irresponsibilities ( and that of his partners in both Houses of Congress) will result in the rise of a fiscal conservative such as Jack Kemp. Conservatives could do far worse. RIP Mr. Kemp.
| 18 |
Irenicum Sat, May 2, 2009 8:28:42pm |
So sad to see him go. Although there are areas where I would disagree with him, him was a gentleman. He was passionate about what he believed in and wasn’t afraid to just say it. I like that. We need more people like him.
| 19 |
yesandno Sat, May 2, 2009 8:30:16pm |
One of a kind. Always had a smile, it seems. We could have used him as President.
RIP Mr. Kemp. You were true blue.
| 20 |
_RememberTonyC Sat, May 2, 2009 8:30:20pm |
re: #14 NJDhockeyfan
Is there anyone standing out right now? I don’t see anyone to get excited about yet.
Mitt Romney is the best guy the GOP has right now
| 22 |
Gus Sat, May 2, 2009 8:30:56pm |
Good article on his passing at the NY Times: Jack Kemp, Dole’s Running Mate in 1996, Dies at 73
Saw him on Greta several months ago. Interesting and very nice man — made think of how much he could still contribute to the GOP and the country.
| 24 |
Occasional Reader Sat, May 2, 2009 8:32:45pm |
Damn damn damn damn damn
Goodbye, Mr. Kemp.
| 30 |
Dark_Falcon Sat, May 2, 2009 8:41:22pm |
He fought the good fight and never gave up. RIP
| 32 |
Miss Molly Sat, May 2, 2009 8:44:43pm |
He was absolutely a class act, never afraid to speak his mind and stand on his principles. We are in sore need of many “Jack Kemps”. Gods blessings for the family.
| 33 |
Dancing along the light of day Sat, May 2, 2009 8:45:44pm |
A real gentleman. Prayers for his family.
| 34 |
Cannadian Club Akbar Sat, May 2, 2009 8:46:11pm |
There are those of us who morn the loss of life…..
| 36 |
Mostly sane, most of the time. Sat, May 2, 2009 8:48:39pm |
To get through the American political scene with dignity and class intact requires character.
| 37 |
SasquatchOnSteroids Sat, May 2, 2009 8:54:12pm |
“Pro football gave me a good perspective. When I entered the political arena, I had already been booed, cheered, cut, sold, traded, and hung in effigy.”
~Jack Kemp
| 38 |
jvic Sat, May 2, 2009 8:56:56pm |
It feels like he went before his time. 73 doesn’t seem that old anymore.
73 doesn’t seem that old because of the progress and prosperity that Jack Kemp helped pave the way for.
Thank you and RIP.
| 39 |
gunslingah Sat, May 2, 2009 8:58:01pm |
One of the great things about Jack Kemp is that he was a true public policy intellectual, who attempted to develop innovative approaches to problems. Whether you agreed with all of his positions or not, at least he was really trying to think outside the box and come up with new ideas, rather than simply mouthing the same tired slogans, talking points and soundbites. How many present-day politicians (on either side of the political aisle) can you say the same thing about?
RIP.
| 40 |
Honorary Yooper Sat, May 2, 2009 8:58:47pm |
Sad to see Jack Kemp has passed on. He was a decent guy, and one I would’ve liked to have seen as President.
| 42 |
realwest Sat, May 2, 2009 9:12:19pm |
I was very saddened to hear this news. My most sincere sympathies and condolences go out to his family.
Rest in Peace Mr. Kemp.
| 43 |
golem786 Sat, May 2, 2009 9:19:54pm |
Kemp is probably the best President the US could have had in the late 80’s and 90’s. I’ve often wondered if the VP nomination under Dole turned out to be something of the kiss of death for his political career.
| 44 |
Eric Stratton Sat, May 2, 2009 9:24:42pm |
RIP Jack! I will never forget your leadership you applied to my beloved Buffalo Bills and my congressional district.
| 45 |
MacDuff Sat, May 2, 2009 9:30:47pm |
A sad day, indeed. It seems that I had heard him on the radio just a few weeks ago having no idea he was ill. I would have liked to have seen him become president, he was his own man and a great American patriot. RIP
| 46 |
Sharmuta Sat, May 2, 2009 9:42:32pm |
I’m very sorry to hear this. May he be at peace, and his family be comforted.
| 47 |
MrPaulRevere Sat, May 2, 2009 9:43:18pm |
jta.org “In 1991, Kemp defied James Baker, then the powerful secretary of state, and met with Ariel Sharon, his counterpart as Israel’s housing minister and the godfather of the settlement movement that Baker saw as an impediment to peacemaking.” The man had guts. Anyone who pisses off James Baker is OK in my book.
| 49 |
Skinless Frank Sat, May 2, 2009 10:03:01pm |
The guy had class, brains, and principles; as such, he was Reagan’s natural heir. We will miss him now, and more in the days to come.
| 50 |
capitalist piglet Sat, May 2, 2009 10:25:30pm |
Rest in peace, Jack Kemp.
I was saddened to hear this news. I was supposed to sing at an event where he was one of the speakers about a year and a half ago (I think?), and it fell through, so I didn’t get to hear him in person.
He was a very cool guy, and a fine representative. We lost him when we needed him most.
His family is in my prayers tonight.
| 51 |
Zimriel Sat, May 2, 2009 10:27:48pm |
As God is my witness (because Jack Kemp can’t hear me on this material plane anymore, sadly) I did vote for him in 1996. (As far as I was concerned, Dole was in the #2 slot.)
Mr Kemp made a real effort to expound libertarian principles among urban populations, when no-one else bothered.
I’ll miss him.
| 52 |
Cato Sun, May 3, 2009 3:51:03am |
A gentleman. A scholar. An athlete. A true leader of the the conservative movement. He will be missed.
I had the privilege of meeting him on one occasion in a private setting. We were there with Chris Matthews and Chris Wallace, and he was cheery to both. He was gracious to me and, what struck me about him in person which you did not see on TV was that he was a fantastic dresser without being foppish. He wore all grey in a shade tuned exactly to his hair color giving you the feeling he was a walking painting.
| 53 |
quickjustice Sun, May 3, 2009 4:58:59am |
Kemp was first famous as a football quarterback for the Buffalo Bills. When his hand was badly mangled during a game, the surgeons informed him that he never would hold a football again after they cast it.
He instructed the surgeons to cast his hand molded so that it would be able to throw a football. If you ever shook his hand, you knew that he carried that peculiarly cast hand with him for the rest of his life.
| 54 |
Dr. Shalit Sun, May 3, 2009 5:17:47am |
re: #43 golem786
Kemp is probably the best President the US could have had in the late 80’s and 90’s. I’ve often wondered if the VP nomination under Dole turned out to be something of the kiss of death for his political career.
golem -
I reflect your condolences and wish Bush 41 had seen a way to have made him his VP nominee. A great historic “what if” to say the least.
-S-
| 56 |
pittrader1988 Sun, May 3, 2009 6:00:17am |
Godpseed to Mr. Kemp, and his family. Prayers for him and his family.
| 57 |
wintercat Sun, May 3, 2009 6:00:50am |
I loved Jack Kemp and volunteered on his campaign when he made his presidential bid. As an independent, I don’t get involved in campaigns. But I did for Kemp. This is very sad news for America.
| 58 |
jimmyk Sun, May 3, 2009 6:26:45am |
re: #47 MrPaulRevere
[Link: jta.org…] The man had guts. Anyone who pisses off James Baker is OK in my book.
Not only did he piss Baker off, he tried to strangle him.
Fitzwater wrote in his memoirs about a time when Kemp lunged at Secretary of State James Baker III in the Oval Office. The housing secretary was “nagging, nagging, nagging” Bush to recognize the breakaway Soviet satellite of Lithuania and Baker, the color rising in his face, screamed an epithet at Kemp, Fitzwater recalled. Kemp bounded across the furniture and grabbed at Baker’s throat. They were pulled apart to avoid a fistfight.
Kemp was the politician I most admired after Reagan. Very sad news.
| 59 |
chuck Sun, May 3, 2009 8:04:34am |
I heard this story:
After JC Watts got elected, in the Republicans’ first caucus meeting Jack joked that only in that room could a guy be a hall of fame quarterback, and not even be the best quarterback there.
| 61 |
Mikey_Dallas Sun, May 3, 2009 12:04:47pm |
A truly great American. Out of the public spotlight for so long, but still someone to be looked up to. We’ll miss you, Jack. Rest in Peace.
| 62 |
Dad O' Blondes Sun, May 3, 2009 12:45:13pm |
Jack Kemp was a principled and gracious politician.
Above all, he was a true statesman who put his country first.
The nation could use more like him today.
RIP.
.
| 63 |
Turtler Sun, May 3, 2009 2:22:39pm |
And so another one of the last few honorable Western politicians succumbs to the bounds of mortality.
He will be dearly missed.
| 65 |
Rexatosis Mon, May 4, 2009 4:59:23am |
Sec. Kemp was a class acts in American Politics. I am glad I had the opportunity to vote for him for VP in 1996.
| 66 |
halthouse1 Mon, May 4, 2009 5:33:01am |
The Political and Financial Markets Commentator
Monday, May 4, 2009
R.I.P. Jack Kemp (1935-2009)
The Meaning Of A Life Is Not What You Have Materially, But How You Have Touched People. When Someone Is Eulogized And Remembered In The Future, It Is Not About Stuff, But About What You Have Contributed and How Your Life’s Work Has Affected Others. In That Regard, Jack Kemp Won The Super Bowl!…
Alone in a Bathroom: The Fear and Uncertainty of a Post-Roe Medication Abortion Angel tucked two white pills into each side of her mouth, bracing herself as they began to dissolve. Her deepest fears and anxieties took over. Angel had wanted to talk to a doctor before she took the pills to ...
Cheechako
They Were Desperate to Get Pregnant. Then IVF Gave Them Extra Embryos. One morning last spring, Ashley Harrolle put her 1-year-old daughter down for a nap and went to the kitchen. She pulled up her fertility clinic’s contact information. It was time to make the call. In a freezer several hundred ... CheechakoJoe Bacon ✅
March FavoritesYou've seen these all already but looking back, just because. These are my favorite shots of this last month. That 1937 Zeiss Sonnar is such a gloriously wonderful bit of glass. Thanks for looking.
William Lewis
Russia’s New Combat Robots Blown Up by Drones Near Avdiivka When we landed on the moon, I thought about how science fiction had become real. Now, the robot wars have begun. It's more poignant somehow on the ground than in the missile wars we have in the air as ...
Rightwingconspirator
Why Did More Than 1,000 People Die After Police Subdued Them With Force That Isn’t Meant to Kill? An investigation led by The Associated Press has found that, over a decade, more than 1,000 people died after police subdued them through physical holds, stun guns, body blows and other force not intended to be lethal. More: Why ... CheechakoKGxvi
Abortions Outside Medical System Increased Sharply After Roe Fell, Study Finds The number of women using abortion pills to end their pregnancies on their own without the direct involvement of a U.S.-based medical provider rose sharply in the months after the Supreme Court eliminated a constitutional right to abortion, according ... Cheechako
Once Praised, the Settlement to Help Sickened BP Oil Spill Workers Leaves Most With Nearly Nothing When a deadly explosion destroyed BP’s Deepwater Horizon drilling rig in the Gulf of Mexico, 134 million gallons of crude erupted into the sea over the next three months — and tens of thousands of ordinary people were hired ... Cheechako
Texas County at Center of Border Fight Is Overwhelmed by Migrant Deaths EAGLE PASS, Tex. - The undertaker lighted a cigarette and held it between his latex-gloved fingers as he stood over the bloated body bag lying in the bed of his battered pickup truck. The woman had been fished out ... Cheechako
