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.