TEXAS JOURNAL - AUGUST 15, 1996



Kemp An Oustanding Choice

By BOB WARD

Editor of the Texas Journal

   Bob Dole's choice of Jack Kemp for a running mate is his 

best move  since leaving the Senate.  Kemp can supply a 

number of qualities the campaign currently lacks -- among 

the most important an ability to stay on message, which 

ranks just behind having a message. 

   Kemp has been a consistent advocate for economic growth 

through tax cuts for over 25 years.  He has delivered that 

message to labor groups and received standing ovations -- 

sometimes to the chagrin of labor leaders who prefer big 

government.  He has made the case that the money for big 

government comes right out of their pockets and out of their 

employers' payrolls costing them raises and jobs.  He has 

reminded workers that their pension funds are invested in 

business stocks and when dividends are taxed the value of 

their pensions falls.  He has also recited the historical 

record of revenue gains after tax cuts.  

  Kemp's perspective is working class. His career as 

quarterback with the Buffalo Bills reinforces the image that 

his heart is with the neighborhood, bowling league and union 

hall.  And his ability to demonstrate the value of conserva-

tive economics to audiences that usually hear about the 

glories of the welfare state has helped him win elections in a 

blue-collar, unionized upstate New York congressional dis-

trict.  And Jack Kemp will never have to skip an NAACP event 

for fear of being "set up."  

   Kemp's appeal in the Rust Belt can help bring back to the 

GOP the "Reagan Democrats" -- urban, Catholic, blue-collar 

ethnics and southern evangelicals.  Historically Democrats, 

they were drawn to the GOP by Ronald Reagan's conserva-

tive stand on social issues such as abortion. 

   Two potential problems face a Dole-Kemp ticket.  Kemp  

opposed California's attempt to deal with illegal immigration.  

This is expected to cost him support in the Golden State. But 

he is originally from California and began his football career 

with the San Diego Chargers. His brother is reportedly 

prominent in the Los Angeles business community.  

   The other problem is that Dole-Kemp is not a ticket made 

in Heaven.  Dole is known as a "deficit hawk" opposed to tax 

cuts not "paid for" and Kemp is a supply-sider who favors 

tax cuts and supposedly unconcerned about the deficit.  This 

simple-minded formula overlooks a key point of Kemp's 

approach -- tax cuts generate more revenue which is part of 

deficit reduction.  On the other part of deficit reduction, 

spending cuts, there is no space between Dole and Kemp.

   But tax policy differences have faded since Dole proposed 

15 percent, across the board tax rate reduction, $500 per 

child tax credit, and cuts in capital gains tax.  He may even 

have devised this plan in anticipation of having Kemp on the 

ticket.