A Committed Democrat Norton Praises Ardent Republican Jack Kemp (5/3/09)

A Committed Democrat Norton Praises Ardent Republican Jack Kemp

May 3, 2009

The passing of Jack Kemp leaves an empty space in American politics and an empty place in the hearts of people of every stripe. No American politician was better at making allies across political lines or at making friends across racial lines. Jack was a deeply committed Republican, but he did not hesitate to break with his party when he thought Republicans were wrong on issues, such as sanctions against South African apartheid. The ardent supply-sider believed passionately in lower taxes not for its own sake, but to fuel economic growth. An ideology fed by a deeply analytical mind freed Jack to become a government innovator, a rarity in his party. Enterprise zones to promote inner-city entrepreneurship was one of his ideas that became mainstream for Democrats and Republicans alike.

Until his death, Jack Kemp was an energetic and instrumental advocate for the District of Columbia House Voting Rights Act. At a hearing in the House once, I saw Jack single-handedly turn around a far-right member of his party who had already voiced his opposition to the bill. Jack and I spoke often, and he took on requests for help again this year even after he became ill. Jack not only worked his own party, but he sent his staff to meetings to give advice on strategy after he became ill.

Jack Kemp's combination of passionate intelligence, self-renewing energy, and ceaseless affability are so rare in American politics, he might as well have patented it. If so, Jack's patent expired last night, but his legacy to both parties and to the American people is to model his winning ways.