Jack Kemp#External links

BornAccording to the State of California. California Birth Index, 1905–1995. Center for Health Statistics, California Department of Health Services, Sacramento, California. Searchable at http://www.familytreelegends.com/records/39461 {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110427102456/http://www.familytreelegends.com/records/39461 |date=April 27, 2011 }} and raised in Los Angeles, Kemp was the third of four sons of Frances Elizabeth (née Pope) and Paul Robert Kemp Sr.{{cite news|last=Shogan|first=Robert|title=Kemp Enters '88 Race, Urges Strong Defense|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|date=April 7, 1987|url=https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/latimes/access/58281826.html?dids=58281826%3A58281826&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS%3AFT&date=Apr+07%2C+1987&author=ROBERT+SHOGAN&pub=Los+Angeles+Times+%28pre-1997+Fulltext%29&desc=Kemp+Enters+%2788+Race%2C+Urges+Strong+Defense&pqatl=google|access-date=May 3, 2009|archive-date=January 11, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120111191214/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/latimes/access/58281826.html?dids=58281826%3A58281826&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS%3AFT&date=Apr+07%2C+1987&author=ROBERT+SHOGAN&pub=Los+Angeles+Times+%28pre-1997+Fulltext%29&desc=Kemp+Enters+%2788+Race%2C+Urges+Strong+Defense&pqatl=google|url-status=dead}} Paul turned his motorcycle messenger service into a trucking company that grew from one to 14 trucks.{{cite web|url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=940DEEDA1238F933A15751C1A96E948260|title= Man in the News; Theorist With a Heart; Jack French Kemp|access-date=March 15, 2008|date=December 20, 1988|work=The New York Times|author=May, Clifford D.}} Frances was a social worker and Spanish teacher. Kemp grew up in the heavily Jewish Wilshire district of West Los Angeles, but his tight-knit middle-class family attended the Church of Christ, Scientist. In his youth, sports consumed Kemp, who once chose the forward pass as the subject of a school essay on important inventions, although his mother attempted to broaden his horizons with piano lessons and trips to the Hollywood Bowl.

Kemp attended Melrose Avenue's Fairfax High School, which was, at the time, known for its high concentration of both Jewish students and children of celebrities. Over 95% of Kemp's classmates were Jewish, and he later became a supporter of Jewish causes.{{cite web|url=http://www.usc.edu/uscnews/stories/2740.html|title=114th Commencement Speaker and Honorary Degree Recipient Doctor of Laws, Honoris Causa|access-date=April 1, 2008|date=May 5, 1997|publisher=University of Southern California|work=USC News|author=Payton, Melissa|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110525051025/http://www.usc.edu/uscnews/stories/2740.html|archive-date=May 25, 2011}} His classmates included musician Herb Alpert, baseball pitcher Larry Sherry, and academic Judith A. Reisman.{{cite news|url=http://www.seattlepi.com/moore/348031_moore19.html|title=Go 2 Guy: L.A. phenom to test Franklin|access-date=April 1, 2008|date=January 19, 2008|publisher=Seattle Post-Intelligencer|work=SeattlePI.com|author=Moore, Jim}}{{cite web|url=https://www.pbs.org/kcet/senioryear/fairfax/facts.html |title=Fairfax Facts |access-date=April 1, 2008 |publisher=Public Broadcasting Service |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060830074510/http://www.pbs.org/kcet/senioryear/fairfax/facts.html |archive-date=August 30, 2006 }} During his years in high school, Kemp worked with his brothers at his father's trucking company in downtown Los Angeles. In his spare time, he was a rigorous reader, preferring history and philosophy books.

After graduating from high school in 1953,{{cite web|url=http://www.elections.state.ak.us/96oep/kemp.htm|title=U.S. Vice President: Jack Kemp, Republican|access-date=May 1, 2008|year=1996|publisher=Alaska Division of Elections |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080602222229/http://www.elections.state.ak.us/96oep/kemp.htm |archive-date = June 2, 2008}} he attended Occidental College, a founding member of the NCAA Division III Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference.{{cite web|url=http://www.thesciac.org/information/about/index|title=About the SCIAC|access-date=March 31, 2008|publisher=Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference|archive-date=August 11, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070811150031/http://www.thesciac.org/information/about/index|url-status=dead}} Kemp selected Occidental because its football team used professional formations and plays, which he hoped would help him to become a professional quarterback. At {{convert|5|ft|10|in|cm}} and {{convert|175|lb|kg|0}}, he considered himself too small to play for the USC Trojans or UCLA Bruins, the major Southern California college football programs.

At Occidental, Kemp was a record-setting javelin hurler and played several positions on the football team: quarterback, defensive back, place kicker, and punter. Although he was near-sighted, Kemp was tenacious on the field. During his years as starting quarterback, the 1955 and 1956 Occidental teams posted 6–2 and 3–6 records. Kemp was named a Little All-America player one year in which he threw for over 1,100 yards. That year, he led the nation's small colleges in passing.{{cite web|url=http://www.legacy.com/BaltimoreSun/DeathNotices.asp?Page=Lifestory&PersonID=126845793|title=Jack Kemp|access-date=May 4, 2009|work=The Baltimore Sun|archive-date=March 3, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303231827/http://www.legacy.com/BaltimoreSun/DeathNotices.asp?Page=Lifestory&PersonID=126845793|url-status=live}} He and close friend Jim Mora, who later became an NFL head coach, were members of the Alpha Tau Omega fraternity.{{cite web|url=http://www.thefreelibrary.com/KEMP+SUCCESS+BEGAN+AT+OXY-a083966485|title=Kemp Success Began at Oxy|access-date=March 31, 2008|date=September 8, 1996|publisher=Farlex, Inc.|work=Los Angeles Daily News|author=Martinez, Michael|archive-date=May 20, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110520132759/http://www.thefreelibrary.com/KEMP+SUCCESS+BEGAN+AT+OXY-a083966485|url-status=dead}} Another teammate in college was Ron Botchan.{{cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/colleges/occidental/|title=Occidental Players/Alumni - Pro-Football-Reference.com|website=Pro-Football-Reference.com|access-date=March 27, 2018|archive-date=February 27, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140227014515/http://www.pro-football-reference.com/colleges/occidental/|url-status=live}} Kemp declined to become involved in student government. After graduating from Occidental with a degree in physical education, he pursued postgraduate studies in economics at Long Beach State University and California Western University in San Diego, and served in the military from 1958 to 1962.

Kemp graduated from Occidental in 1957 and married Joanne Main, his college sweetheart, after she graduated from Occidental in 1958. Main had grown up in Fillmore, California, and attended Fillmore High School in Ventura County.{{cite web|url=http://www.thefreelibrary.com/KEMP%27S+WIFE+PREPARED+FOR+ROLE%2C+MOM+SAYS.%28NEWS%29-a083959339|title=Kemp's Wife Prepared For Role, Mom Says|access-date=March 31, 2008|date=August 11, 1996|publisher=Farlex, Inc.|work=Los Angeles Daily News|author=Gonzalez, Virginia|archive-date=September 3, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150903234237/http://www.thefreelibrary.com/KEMP%27S+WIFE+PREPARED+FOR+ROLE%2C+MOM+SAYS.%28NEWS%29-a083959339|url-status=dead}} Kemp's Biblical Literature professor, Keith Beebe, presided over the wedding. The Kemps had two sons. Both were professional football quarterbacks: Jeff Kemp (born in 1959) played in the NFL from 1981 to 1991,{{cite web|url=http://www.nfl.com/players/jeffkemp/profile?id=KEM184574|title=All-Time Players: Jeff Kemp|access-date=March 31, 2008|publisher=NFL Enterprises LLC.|archive-date=February 5, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090205043623/http://www.nfl.com/players/jeffkemp/profile?id=KEM184574|url-status=live}} and Jimmy Kemp (born in 1971) played in the CFL from 1994 to 2002. Significantly for a man with his demanding schedule, Jack never missed one of their games as children or in college.{{cite news|last = Brewer|first = Jerry|title = Time to Cherish|work = The Seattle Times|date = June 21, 2009|pages = 33, 36}} They also had two daughters: Jennifer Kemp Andrews (born in 1961) and Judith Kemp (born in 1963).{{cite web|url=https://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/bio/kemp_bio.html |title=Biography of Jack Kemp |access-date=February 24, 2008 |publisher=MacNeil/Lehrer Productions |work=pbs.org |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071227064147/http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/bio/kemp_bio.html |archive-date=December 27, 2007 }}

Joanne Kemp once suffered a miscarriage, which Kemp later said made him re-evaluate the sanctity of human life and affirmed his opposition to abortion.{{cite web|url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9D0CE2DB1E3EF932A2575BC0A960958260|title= In His Own Words: Jack Kemp and the Issues|access-date=March 8, 2008|date=August 11, 1996|work=The New York Times}}

Following his wedding, Kemp converted to his wife's Presbyterian faith.{{cite web|url=https://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/election/august96/joanne_kemp_8-15.html |title=Second Lady Hopeful |access-date=September 3, 2008 |date=August 15, 1996 |publisher=MacNeil/Lehrer Productions |author=Farnsworth, Elizabeth |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080613025701/http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/election/august96/joanne_kemp_8-15.html |archive-date=June 13, 2008 }} He identified as a born-again Christian.{{cite web|url=https://people.com/archive/sure-hed-rather-be-president-but-conservative-jack-kemp-may-be-the-right-man-on-the-right-for-hud-vol-33-no-24/|title=Sure, He'd Rather Be President, but Conservative Jack Kemp May Be the Right Man on the Right for Hud|website=PEOPLE.com|access-date=March 5, 2019|archive-date=March 6, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190306044438/https://people.com/archive/sure-hed-rather-be-president-but-conservative-jack-kemp-may-be-the-right-man-on-the-right-for-hud-vol-33-no-24/|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1996/08/11/us/a-passion-for-ideas-jack-french-kemp.html|title=A Passion for Ideas: Jack French Kemp|first=David E.|last=Rosenbaum|newspaper=The New York Times|date=August 11, 1996|access-date=March 5, 2019|archive-date=April 14, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190414035946/https://www.nytimes.com/1996/08/11/us/a-passion-for-ideas-jack-french-kemp.html|url-status=live}}

Kemp was a 33rd degree Freemason in the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction.Tribe, Ivan M., [http://204.3.136.66/web/journal-files/Issues/sep03/tribe.htm "Gerald R. Ford Jr. : The Most Recent Masonic President"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303233724/http://204.3.136.66/web/journal-files/Issues/sep03/tribe.htm|date=March 3, 2016}}, The Scottish Rite Journal of Freemasonry, Southern Jurisdiction, September 2003Hodapp, Christopher L., [http://freemasonsfordummies.blogspot.com/2009/05/brother-jack-kemp-33-rip.html "Brother Jack Kemp, 33° R.I.P. "] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110720210540/http://freemasonsfordummies.blogspot.com/2009/05/brother-jack-kemp-33-rip.html |date=July 20, 2011 }}, Monday, May 4, 2009

After being selected by the Detroit Lions in the 17th round of the 1957 NFL draft, Kemp was cut from the team before the 1957 NFL season began. He spent 1957 with the Pittsburgh Steelers and 1958 on the taxi squads of the San Francisco 49ers and New York Giants. The Giants hosted the NFL championship game, known as the "Greatest Game Ever Played" and the first overtime NFL playoff game,{{cite web|url=http://www.profootballhof.com/history/release.jsp?release_id=1805|title=Greatest game ever played|access-date=December 26, 2008|publisher=Pro Football Hall of Fame|archive-date=January 10, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080110235203/http://www.profootballhof.com/history/release.jsp?release_id=1805|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/news/story?id=2794025|title=What if the Colts-Giants game had not been such a classic?|access-date=December 26, 2008|date=February 1, 2007|publisher=ESPN Internet Ventures|author=Mosse, David|archive-date=March 25, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070325000554/http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2794025|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9B03EEDD123FF934A15752C0A9679C8B63|title= A Giant in '58|access-date=March 6, 2008|date=January 27, 2001|work=The New York Times|author=Kemp, Jack}} but, as a third-string quarterback member of the taxi squad, Kemp did not take the field.

In 1958, Kemp joined the United States Army Reserve and he served a year on active duty as a private to complete his initial training. He was a member of the San Diego–based 977th Transportation Company from 1958 to 1962.{{cite news |date=September 1, 1987 |title=Army Let Kemp Play Ball During Berlin Crisis |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/1987/09/01/army-let-kemp-play-ball-during-berlin-crisis/938ba0d0-555e-43d5-8adb-a2b0f9d7317b/ |newspaper=The Washington Post |location=Washington, DC}}{{cite news |agency=United Press International |last=Mianowany |first=Joseph |date=August 31, 1987 |title=Kemp exempted from active duty in '61 |url=https://www.upi.com/Archives/1987/08/31/Kemp-exempted-from-active-duty-in-61/8818557380800/ |work=UPI.com |location=Boca Raton, FL}} When his unit was activated for the Berlin Crisis of 1961, Kemp received a medical exemption for his chronically separated left shoulder. The injury led to his discharge from the Reserve in July 1962.

In 1959, Kemp played one game for the Calgary Stampeders of the Canadian Football League, which made him ineligible for the NFL, in 1959. According to his older brother Tom, his parents drove him from California to Calgary, Alberta, only to see him cut. By this time, Kemp had been cut from five professional teams (Lions, Steelers, Giants, 49ers, and Stampeders) and his family encouraged him to get on with his life. On February 9 and 11, 1960, the newly formed AFL agreed to "no tampering" policies with the NFL and CFL respectively, protecting each league's players. Players like Kemp, with modest NFL experience, were often signed by the AFL at the time.Gruver, p. 44. Kemp signed as a free agent with the AFL's Los Angeles Chargers.

In 1960, Kemp led the Chargers to a Western Division Championship with a 10–4 record.Gruver, p. 55. He finished second in the league to Frank Tripucka in passing attempts, completions, and yards (making him and Tripucka the league's first 3,000-yard passers), led the AFL in yards per completion and times sacked, and finished one rushing touchdown short of the league lead.{{cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1960_AFL/leaders.htm|title=1960 AFL Leaders and Leaderboards|publisher=Sports Reference, LLC|work=Pro-Football-Reference.com|access-date=March 31, 2008|archive-date=August 21, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170821002917/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1960_AFL/leaders.htm|url-status=live}} Under Kemp, the Chargers' offense averaged 46 points over its last four games and scored more than 41 points in five of its last nine games.Gruver, p. 56. In the AFL championship game, he led the team to field goals on its first two possessions, but after the Houston Oilers posted a touchdown in the second quarter for a 7–6 lead, the Chargers never recovered.Gruver, pp. 58–59.

In 1961, San Diego Union editor Jack Murphy convinced Barron Hilton to move the Chargers from Los Angeles to San Diego.Gruver, p. 61. Kemp led the relocated team to a 12–2 record and a repeat Western Division Championship.Gruver, p. 71. He again finished second in passing yards (this time to George Blanda).{{cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1961_AFL/leaders.htm|title=1961 AFL Leaders and Leaderboards|publisher=Sports Reference, LLC|work=Pro-Football-Reference.com|access-date=March 31, 2008|archive-date=August 21, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170821003750/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1961_AFL/leaders.htm|url-status=live}} The Chargers earned an AFL championship game rematch against the Oilers. However, this time the Chargers were unable to score until a fourth-quarter field goal in a 10–3 loss.Gruver, p. 266.

In 1962, Kemp broke his middle finger when he struck a helmet against the New York Titans in the second game of the season and was unable to play. He persuaded his doctors to set his broken finger around a football, so that his grip would not be affected once the finger healed. Chargers coach Sid Gillman put Kemp on waivers to try to "hide" him.Gruver, pp. 82–83. Buffalo Bills coach Lou Saban noticed that Kemp was available and claimed him for a $100 waiver fee on September 25, 1962,Maiorana (1994), p. 86. in what sportswriter Randy Schultz has called one of the biggest bargains in professional football history.{{cite book|title=Legends of the Buffalo Bills|author=Schultz, Randy|publisher=Sports Publishing LLC|year=2003|isbn=1-58261-687-6}} The Dallas Texans and Denver Broncos also attempted to claim Kemp, but he was awarded to Buffalo by AFL commissioner Joe Foss.Gruver, p. 83.

According to Billy Shaw, Kemp's acquisition solved the Bills' quarterback problem, but Kemp was not excited about coming to Buffalo. According to Van Miller, "Jack's a skier, and he wanted to go to Denver and play for the Broncos. He hated the thought of coming to Buffalo."{{cite book|title=The American Football League: A Year-by-Year History, 1960–1969|author=Gruver, Ed|publisher=McFarland & Company, Inc., Publishers|year=1997}} In Buffalo, he would become known for his love of reading a broad range of books including those by Henry Thoreau, which led to chidings from Saban.

Injuries, including the broken finger, kept Kemp from playing for most of 1962. That season, Kemp received a military draft notice for service in the Vietnam War but was granted a draft waiver because of a knee problem. The injuries healed, and Kemp debuted for Buffalo on November 18, 1962, by directing the only touchdown drive in a 10–6 win over the Oakland Raiders. He played only four games for Buffalo in 1962, but made the AFL All-Star team. The Bills won three of their last four games to finish 7–6–1.Maiorana (1994), p. 93–94.

On December 14, 1962, the Bills outbid the Green Bay Packers for Notre Dame quarterback Daryle Lamonica. In 1963, a four-season starting quarterback battle began that continued until Lamonica left for the Raiders. Lamonica felt he "learned a lot from Jack about quarterbacking. And I truly believe that we were a great one-two punch at the position for the Bills." In 1963, Kemp led the Bills from a slow start to a tie for the AFL Eastern Division lead with a 7–6–1 record.Maiorana (1994), p. 104. Kemp again placed second in passing attempts, completions, and yards, and he also finished second to teammate Cookie Gilchrist in rushing touchdowns.{{cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1963_AFL/leaders.htm|title=1963 AFL Leaders and Leaderboards|publisher=Sports Reference, LLC|work=Pro-Football-Reference.com|access-date=March 31, 2008|archive-date=August 21, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170821003143/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1963_AFL/leaders.htm|url-status=live}} The Bills played the Boston Patriots in an Eastern Division playoff game to determine the division title on December 28, in {{convert|10|F|sigfig=2}} weather. Buffalo replaced Kemp with Lamonica after falling behind 16–0, but still lost 26–8.Gruver, p. 115.

Kemp was said to be the "clubhouse lawyer" for the Bills because of his role in mediating conflicts. In 1964, he managed personalities such as Gilchrist, who walked off the field when plays were not being called for him, and Saban, whom he kept from cutting Gilchrist the following week. He also managed the politics of his quarterback battle with Lamonica, who engineered four winning touchdown drives in the Bills' first seven games.{{cite magazine|url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,876407,00.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100127151616/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,876407,00.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 27, 2010|title=Any Time, Any Place|access-date=March 21, 2008|magazine=Time|date=November 6, 1964}} Kemp was the first and only Professional Football player to pass for three touchdowns in the first quarter of a season-opening game, against the Kansas City Chiefs in 1964, until the record was tied but not broken, 47 years later in 2011 by Aaron Rodgers.{{cite web|url=http://www.nola.com/saints/index.ssf/2011/09/aaron_rodgers_got_off_to_sizzl.html|title=Aaron Rodgers got off to sizzling start for Green Bay Packers|access-date=September 11, 2011|date=September 9, 2011|publisher=Nola.com|work=The Times-Picayune|author=Reeves, Jeremy|archive-date=March 1, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120301143529/http://www.nola.com/saints/index.ssf/2011/09/aaron_rodgers_got_off_to_sizzl.html|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://www.sport360.com/article/nfl-super-start-green-bay |title=NFL: Super Start for Green Bay |access-date=September 11, 2011 |date=September 10, 2011 |publisher=Sport360.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120328192657/http://www.sport360.com/article/nfl-super-start-green-bay |archive-date=March 28, 2012 }} The 1964 team won its first nine games and went 12–2 for the regular season, winning the Eastern Division with a final game victory over the Patriots at Fenway Park. Kemp led the league in yards per attempt and finished one rushing touchdown short of the league lead, which was shared by Gilchrist and Sid Blanks. In the AFL championship game, he scored the final touchdown with just over nine minutes left in a 20–7 victory.Maiorana (1994), p. 116. Not long after, Kemp played a key role in an off the field decision. Kemp was part of the All-Star Game played three weeks after the Championship Game alongside teammates such as Cookie Gilchrist and Ernie Warlick, with the game scheduled to be played in New Orleans, Louisiana. However, Gilchrist led a movement of African American players wanting to boycott the game due to experiencing discrimination by cab drivers and others during their time in New Orleans; Kemp saw this firsthand when Gilchrist, and Warlick were not allowed to share a cab with him. Kemp attended a boycott meeting and alongside Ron Mix convinced the white players to go with the idea of a boycott. One day after the players left the city, AFL Commissioner Joe Foss moved the game to Houston, Texas.{{Cite web |last=TalkOfFame |title=State Your Case: Jack Kemp |url=https://www.si.com/nfl/talkoffame/nfl/state-your-case-jack-kemp |access-date=2023-01-25 |website=Sports Illustrated Talk Of Fame Network |language=en |archive-date=January 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230116094548/https://www.si.com/nfl/talkoffame/nfl/state-your-case-jack-kemp |url-status=live }}

According to Lamonica, the 1965 team had a new emphasis: "In '64 we had depended a lot on Gilchrist and our running attack to carry us. . .But that all changed in '65. The Bills had traded Gilchrist in the off season to the Denver Broncos. So we went to a pass-oriented game more that season than we ever had before. We not only went to our receivers, but we threw a lot to our running backs. And I really think it brought out the best in Jack that year." In 1965, the Bills finished with a 10–3–1 record.Maiorana (1994), p. 125. Kemp finished the season second in the league in pass completions.{{cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1965_AFL/leaders.htm|title=1965 AFL Leaders and Leaderboards|publisher=Sports Reference, LLC|work=Pro-Football-Reference.com|access-date=March 31, 2008|archive-date=August 21, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170821043324/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1965_AFL/leaders.htm|url-status=live}} In the 1965 AFL Championship Game, Buffalo defeated the Chargers 23–0; for Kemp, the victory was special because it came against his former team.{{cite magazine|url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,834954,00.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080623170225/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,834954,00.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=June 23, 2008|title=The Game Nobody Saw|access-date=March 21, 2008|magazine=Time|date=January 7, 1966}} Kemp's role in leading the Bills to a repeat championship without Gilchrist and with star receiver Elbert Dubenion playing only three games earned him a share of the AFL MVP awards that he split with former Charger teammate, Paul Lowe.{{cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1964_AFL/leaders.htm|title=1964 AFL Leaders and Leaderboards|publisher=Sports Reference, LLC|work=Pro-Football-Reference.com|access-date=March 31, 2008|archive-date=August 21, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170821003140/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1964_AFL/leaders.htm|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/buf/1965.htm|title=1965 Buffalo Bills|publisher=Sports Reference, LLC|work=Pro-Football-Reference.com|access-date=March 31, 2008|archive-date=January 8, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190108050051/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/buf/1965.htm|url-status=live}} Kemp also won the Associated Press award and the Championship Game Most Valuable Player award.Maiorana (1994), p. 126.Gruver, p. 151.

Following the championship game, Saban resigned to coach the University of Maryland and defensive coordinator Joe Collier was promoted to head coach for the 1966 season.Maiorana (1994), p. 127. Kemp led the Bills to their third consecutive division title with a 9–4–1 record. However, in the AFL championship game, which was played for the right to represent the AFL in Super Bowl I, the Bills lost to the Kansas City Chiefs 31–7.Maiorana (1994), pp. 136–37. Kemp was named an AFL All-Star for the sixth consecutive year.{{efn|There was no 1960 All-Star game.}}{{cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/K/KempJa00.htm|title=Jack Kemp|access-date=March 31, 2008|publisher=Sports Reference, LLC|work=Pro-Football-Reference.com|archive-date=May 2, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210502054542/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/K/KempJa00.htm|url-status=live}} The 1967 Bills endured a 4–10 1967 AFL season, in which Kemp was not named to the All-Star game for the first time in his AFL career.Maiorana (1994), p. 147.

On August 23, 1968, the Bills suffered a blowout preseason loss to the Houston Oilers. On August 26, Collier put the Bills through a 40-play scrimmage. During the scrimmage, Ron McDole fell on Kemp's right knee and injured it, forcing Kemp to sit out the entire 1968 season.Maiorana (1994), p. 148. The Bills went 1–12–1 without Kemp.Maiorana (1994), p. 157.

Despite Kemp's return from injury and the arrival of running back O. J. Simpson, the Bills only compiled a 4–10 record during the 1969 season under new coach John Rauch.Maiorana (1994), pp. 158–66. Kemp was named an AFL All-Star in 1969 for the seventh time in the league's 10 years. He advocated recognition of the league, and in its last year, 1969, lobbied Pete Rozelle to have AFL teams wear an AFL patch to honor it. In 1969, the Erie County Republican Party approached him about running for the United States Congress. After the January 17, 1970, AFL All-Star game, Kemp returned home and talked to his wife before deciding to enter politics.Maiorana (2000), p. 174. Kemp said, "I had a four-year no-cut contract with the Bills at the time. ... I figured that if I lost I could always come back and play. But the fans had their say and I was elected to Congress."

Kemp led Buffalo to the AFL playoffs four straight years (1963–1966), three consecutive Eastern Division titles (1964–1966) and two straight AFL Championships (1964–1965).{{cite web|url=http://www.packers.com/news/releases/2003/03/25/3/|title=Jack Kemp To Chair USA Football|access-date=February 23, 2008|publisher=Green Bay Packers, Inc. |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20051110213801/http://www.packers.com/news/releases/2003/03/25/3/ |archive-date = November 10, 2005}} He led the league in career passes attempted, completions, and yards gained passing.{{cite book|title=Official History American Football League – 1960–1969|publisher=The Sporting News|editor=Rosenthal, Harold (compiled by the Elias Sports Bureau)|year=1970|pages=68–69}} He played in five of the AFL's 10 Championship Games, and holds the same career records (passing attempts, completions, and yardage) for championships. He is second in many other championship game categories, including career and single-game passer rating. He ranks third in rushing touchdowns by an NFL or AFL quarterback with 40, behind Steve Young's 52 and Otto Graham's 44.{{cite web|author=Gaughan, Mark|date=July 16, 2012|url=http://blogs.buffalonews.com/press-coverage/2012/07/jack-kemp-records-you-may-not-know.html |title=Jack Kemp records you may not know|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130511192617/http://blogs.buffalonews.com/press-coverage/2012/07/jack-kemp-records-you-may-not-know.html |archive-date=May 11, 2013|work=The Buffalo News}} Note that this source lists Young with 43 rushing touchdowns; it does not include the nine accrued during Young's time in the USFL. A Sporting News All-League selection at quarterback in 1960 and 1965, and the AFL MVP in 1965. He was the only AFL quarterback to be listed as a starter all 10 years of the league's existence and one of only 20 players to serve all 10 of those years. His number 15 was retired by the Bills in 1984.{{cite magazine|url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,923772,00.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101029152709/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,923772,00.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 29, 2010|title=untitled|access-date=March 21, 2008|magazine=Time|date=December 3, 1984|author=Garcia, Guy D.}} In 2012, the Professional Football Researchers Association named Kemp to the PRFA Hall of Very Good Class of 2012.{{cite web |url=http://www.profootballresearchers.com/hall-of-very-good-2012.htm |title=Hall of Very Good Class of 2012 |access-date=November 21, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160913215154/http://profootballresearchers.com/hall-of-very-good-2012.htm |archive-date=September 13, 2016 |url-status=dead }}

However, despite his success and important AFL records, he is most prominently listed in the NFL record book for less flattering accomplishments, including his place as a former record holder for most quarterback sacks in a game.{{cite web|url=http://www.nfl.com/history/randf/records/indiv/passing |title=Individual Records: Passing |access-date=February 23, 2008 |publisher=NFL Enterprises LLC. |work=NFL Record & Fact Book |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080513031657/http://www.nfl.com/history/randf/records/indiv/passing |archive-date=May 13, 2008 }}{{cite web|url=http://www.nfl.com/history/randf/records/indiv/fumbles|title=Individual Records: Fumbles|access-date=February 23, 2008|publisher=NFL Enterprises LLC.|work=NFL Record & Fact Book|archive-date=November 5, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181105224413/http://www.nfl.com/history/randf/records/indiv/fumbles|url-status=dead}} Despite Kemp's many records, Joe Namath and Len Dawson were selected as the quarterbacks for the All-time AFL team. Kemp is a member of the Greater Buffalo Sports Hall of Fame and the Buffalo Bills' Wall of Fame.

Kemp co-founded the AFL Players Association with Tom Addison of the Boston Patriots, and was elected its president five times.{{cite web|url=http://www.nflplayers.com/USER/content.aspx?fmid=178&lmid=443&pid=2323|title=Q&A With Jack Kemp|access-date=November 5, 2008|date=October 23, 2008|publisher=NFL Players|archive-date=January 3, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100103125518/http://www.nflplayers.com/USER/content.aspx?fmid=178&lmid=443&pid=2323|url-status=dead}} His founding of and involvement in the players' union contributed to his frequent siding with the Democrats on labor issues later in his career.

The NCAA's highest honor, the Theodore Roosevelt Award,{{cite web|url=http://www.awardsandhonors.com/award/theodore_roosevelt_award_ncaa.html |title=Theodore Roosevelt Award (NCAA) |access-date=May 7, 2009 |publisher=AwardsAndHonors.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110707195519/http://www.awardsandhonors.com/award/theodore_roosevelt_award_ncaa.html |archive-date=July 7, 2011 }} was presented to Kemp in 1992,{{cite web|url=https://www.ncaa.org/wps/ncaa?ContentID=2675 |title=NCAA Theodore Roosevelt Award Recipients |access-date=May 7, 2009 |publisher=NCAA |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100108154519/http://www.ncaa.org/wps/ncaa?ContentID=2675 |archive-date=January 8, 2010 }} and he was named one of the association's 100 most influential student-athletes in 2006.{{cite web|url=https://www.ncaa.org/wps/ncaa?ContentID=49610|title=The NCAA News: Teddy winner Jack Kemp dies at age 73|access-date=May 7, 2009|date=May 4, 2009|publisher=NCAA}} {{Dead link|date=October 2010|bot=H3llBot}}

Kemp's political career began long before his 1970 campaign. In 1960 and 1961, Kemp was an editorial assistant to San Diego Union editor and future Richard Nixon aide Herb Klein. Subsequently, Kemp became a volunteer in both Barry Goldwater's 1964 presidential campaign and Ronald Reagan's successful 1966 California gubernatorial campaign. In the 1967 football off-season, Kemp worked on Reagan's staff in Sacramento. In 1969, he was special assistant to the Republican National Committee chairman.

Kemp was a voracious reader, and his political beliefs were founded in early readings of Goldwater's The Conscience of a Conservative, Ayn Rand's novels, and Friedrich von Hayek's The Constitution of Liberty. He also brought from his football career a belief in racial equality which came from playing football with black teammates. As Kemp said, "I wasn't there with Rosa Parks or Dr. King or John Lewis. But I am here now, and I am going to yell from the rooftops about what we need to do." Kemp's football colleagues confirmed this influence: John Mackey explained that "the huddle is colorblind."{{cite web|url=https://www.usnews.com/usnews/news/articles/971208/archive_008431.htm |title=Sweating to the Oldies: Toiling together will do as much for race relations as talking together |access-date=April 13, 2008 |date=November 30, 1997 |work=U.S. News & World Report |author=Waldman, Steven |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110524205855/http://www.usnews.com/usnews/news/articles/971208/archive_008431.htm |archive-date=May 24, 2011 }}

{{see also|Electoral history of Jack Kemp}}

File:Jack Kemp-Congressional Portrait Collection.jpg

File:C13539-3a.jpg in 1983]]

As a self-described "bleeding-heart conservative", Kemp represented a part of the suburban Buffalo region known as the Southtowns (that traditionally voted Democratic) in the United States House of Representatives from 1971 to 1989.{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1988/12/20/us/man-in-the-news-theorist-with-a-heart-jack-french-kemp.html|title=Man in the News; Theorist With a Heart; Jack French Kemp|access-date=April 8, 2009|date=December 20, 1988|work=The New York Times|author=May, Clifford D.|archive-date=April 23, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090423135002/http://www.nytimes.com/1988/12/20/us/man-in-the-news-theorist-with-a-heart-jack-french-kemp.html|url-status=live}} He was described as having the charisma of the earlier John F. Kennedy.{{cite magazine|url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,984991,00.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101029225545/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,984991,00.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 29, 2010|title=Jack Be Nimble|access-date=March 2, 2008|magazine=Time|date=August 19, 1996|author=Stengel, Richard}} David Rosenbaum described Kemp as an independent politician who often legislated outside his committees' jurisdictions and often spoke in favor of ideals and principles rather than his party's political platforms.{{cite web|url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9B0DE7DB1E3EF932A2575BC0A960958260|title= A Passion for Ideas: Jack French Kemp|access-date=March 2, 2008|date=August 11, 1996|work=The New York Times|author=Rosenbaum, David E.}} As a supply-sider, he was not a proponent of balanced budgeting and trivialized it while speaking of growth as an economic goal.{{cite web|url=https://www.theatlantic.com/doc/198112/david-stockman|title=The Education of David Stockman|access-date=April 15, 2008|date=December 1981|author=Greider, William|publisher=The Atlantic.com|work=Atlantic Monthly|archive-date=May 17, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080517011200/http://www.theatlantic.com/doc/198112/david-stockman|url-status=live}}

The Erie County, New York Republicans had drafted Kemp after incumbent congressman Richard D. McCarthy decided to run for the United States Senate. During his inaugural campaign, his district was in economic malaise, and The New York Times described him as a John F. Kennedy throwback who campaigned on family values, patriotism, sports, and defense. Upon his election to the Congress in a class of sixty-two freshmen, he was one of six newcomers—along with Ronald Dellums, Bella Abzug, Louise Day Hicks, Robert Drinan, and Pete du Pont—discussed in Time. The article described him as a football fan like United States President Richard Nixon and as the recipient of advice from White House adviser Robert Finch and former Kemp boss Herb Klein, Nixon's director of communications. The Nixon aides encouraged Kemp to endorse the Cambodian invasion and to oppose criticism of Nixon's war policies in order to firm up Kemp's support from military hawks.{{cite magazine|url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,904463-2,00.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121023093056/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,904463-2,00.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 23, 2012|title=Newcomers in the House|access-date=March 21, 2008|magazine=Time|date=November 16, 1970}}

Kemp championed several Chicago school and supply-side economics issues, including economic growth, free markets, free trade, tax simplification and lower tax rates on both employment and investment income. He was a long-time proponent of the flat tax.{{cite magazine|url=http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,5606,00.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101106200405/http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,5606,00.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 6, 2010|title=The New 12 Steps to Recovery|access-date=March 4, 2008|magazine=Time|date=January 17, 1996}} He also defended the use of anti-Communist contra forces in Central America,{{cite web|url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9B0DE2D9133EF93AA3575AC0A961948260|title=Kemp, in Honduras, Assails Latin Peace Plan|access-date=January 10, 2009|date=September 9, 1987|work=The New York Times|author=May, Clifford}} supported the gold standard, spoke for civil rights legislation, opposed abortion, and was the first lawmaker to popularize enterprise zones, which he supported to foster entrepreneurship and job creation and expand homeownership among public housing tenants.{{cite magazine|url=http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,7154,00.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040214063914/http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,7154,00.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=February 14, 2004|title=Babbitt: Think Small|access-date=March 1, 2008|magazine=Time|date=August 26, 1996}} During his career, he sometimes sounded like a liberal Democrat; he supported affirmative action and rights for illegal immigrants. The New York Times described Kemp as the most proactive combatant in the war on poverty since Robert F. Kennedy. He differed from Rockefeller Republicans and earlier combatants such as Lyndon Johnson by supporting incentive-based systems instead of traditional social programs. For his commitment to inner city concerns from within the Republican party, David Gergen heralded him as a "courageous voice in the wilderness."{{cite web|url=https://www.usnews.com/usnews/opinion/articles/960909/archive_034577.htm |title=A Bridge to Nowhere |access-date=April 14, 2008 |date=September 1, 1996 |work=U.S. News & World Report |author=Gergen, David |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110524205942/http://www.usnews.com/usnews/opinion/articles/960909/archive_034577.htm |archive-date=May 24, 2011 }} Although he was liberal on many social issues and supported civil liberties for homosexuals, he opposed certain gay rights such as the right to teach in schools. Kemp at times felt his role was that of "freewheeling, entrepreneurial, wildcatting backbencher."{{cite web|url=https://www.usnews.com/usnews/news/articles/960826/archive_034435.htm |title='Born for the Job': The Kemp interview |access-date=April 14, 2008 |date=August 18, 1996 |work=U.S. News & World Report |author1=Borger, Gloria |author2=Michael Barone |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110524210101/http://www.usnews.com/usnews/news/articles/960826/archive_034435.htm |archive-date=May 24, 2011 }}

Time identified 38-year-old second-term congressman Kemp as a future leader in its 1974 "Faces for the Future" feature.{{cite magazine|url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,981959,00.html|archive-url=https://wayback.archive-it.org/all/20080306141028/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,981959,00.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=March 6, 2008|title=Where Are They Now?|access-date=March 4, 2008|magazine=Time|date=December 5, 1994|author=Collins, James}} Another early-career notable magazine appearance was in a 1978 issue of Esquire. The article explained allegations of homosexual activity among staffers in Ronald Reagan's Sacramento office in 1967; Kemp was not implicated. Kemp considered running for the U.S. Senate in 1980 and Hugh Sidey mentioned him as a contender to unseat Jimmy Carter in the 1980 presidential election{{cite magazine|url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,919701,00.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101014132425/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,919701,00.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 14, 2010|title=Roses with a Touch of Ragweed|access-date=March 21, 2008|magazine=Time|date=May 29, 1978|author=Sidey, Hugh}} and was a front runner for the vice presidency at the 1980 Republican National Convention,{{cite magazine|url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,923950,00.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101125130917/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,923950,00.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 25, 2010|title=Where Did He Get Those Figures?|access-date=March 21, 2008|magazine=Time|date=April 14, 1980}} where he received 43 votes from conservative detractors of George H. W. Bush. After he was reelected for a sixth term in 1980, his Republican peers elected him to a party leadership position,{{cite magazine|url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,924598,00.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071209020729/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,924598,00.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=December 9, 2007|title=Final Payments|access-date=March 21, 2008|magazine=Time|date=December 22, 1980}} and he served seven years as chairman of the House Republican Conference. This promotion occurred immediately after Kemp and David Stockman urged Reagan by memorandum to dedicate his first 100 days to working on an economic package with Congress.{{cite magazine|url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,924590,00.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071209020648/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,924590,00.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=December 9, 2007|title=Eight for the Cabinet|access-date=March 21, 2008|magazine=Time|date=December 22, 1980|author=Church, George J.}}{{cite magazine|url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,922279,00.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091120064747/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,922279,00.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 20, 2009|title=Outlook '81: Recession|access-date=March 22, 2008|magazine=Time|date=December 29, 1980|author=Byron, Christopher}} Kemp considered running for Governor of New York in 1982 but ultimately decided to stay in the House. By 1984, many viewed Kemp as Reagan's heir apparent.{{cite web|url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9B0DEED81138F93BA15755C0A961948260|title= Is Jack Kemp Mr. Right?|access-date=March 8, 2008|date=June 28, 1987|work=The New York Times|author=Dowd, Maureen}}

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Kemp had his first encounter with supply-side economics in 1976, when The Wall Street Journal's Jude Wanniski interviewed him at his congressional office. Kemp questioned Wanniski all day (until midnight, at Kemp's Bethesda, Maryland home) and was eventually converted to University of Southern California professor Arthur Laffer's supply-side discipline. Thereafter, Kemp espoused supply-side economics freely, and in 1978 he and Sen. William Roth of Delaware proposed tax-cutting legislation. Kemp has been credited as responsible for supply-side economics' inclusion in President Reagan's economic plan,{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/09/23/books/review/Lowenstein-t.html|title=Deep Voodoo|access-date=March 1, 2008|date=September 23, 2007|work=The New York Times|author=Lowenstein, Roger|archive-date=April 25, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090425042523/http://www.nytimes.com/2007/09/23/books/review/Lowenstein-t.html|url-status=live}} although at the time of Robert Mundell's Nobel Memorial Prize in Economics recognition some attributed much of the credit to Mundell, Laffer, Robert Bartley, and Wanniski.{{cite web|url=https://www.usnews.com/usnews/biztech/articles/991025/archive_002169.htm |title=Supply-Side Godfather: The influential and controversial Robert Mundell wins the Nobel in economics |access-date=April 13, 2008 |date=October 17, 1999 |work=U.S. News & World Report |author=Egan, Jack |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110524205847/http://www.usnews.com/usnews/biztech/articles/991025/archive_002169.htm |archive-date=May 24, 2011 }} In 1979, Kemp wrote An American Renaissance ({{ISBN|0-06-012283-8}}), to deliver his message that "A rising tide lifts all boats."{{cite web|url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=950DE0DD1139F934A35756C0A96F948260|title= Jack Kemp Faces Reality|access-date=March 8, 2008|date=May 9, 1989|work=The New York Times|author=Traub, James}} Although the realization of early 1980s tax cuts are attributed to Reagan, they were initiated by Kemp and Roth through their 1981 Kemp–Roth Tax Cut legislation. Reagan's budget based on this legislation passed over the objection of United States House Committee on Ways and Means Chairman Dan Rostenkowski.{{cite magazine|url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,954786,00.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050116103240/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,954786,00.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 16, 2005|title=A Less Than Perfect "10–10–10"|access-date=March 22, 2008|magazine=Time|date=June 1, 1981|author=Isaacson, Walter}}{{cite magazine|url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,924746,00.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080408092646/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,924746,00.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=April 8, 2008|title=Act II, Scene 1, Form 1040|access-date=March 22, 2008|magazine=Time|date=May 25, 1981|author=Wallis, Claudia}}

During the Reagan years, Kemp and his followers ignored budget balancing while promoting tax cuts and economic growth.{{cite web|url=https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/budget/rauchf.htm|title=Is the Deficit Really So Bad?|access-date=April 15, 2008|date=February 1989|author=Rauch, Jonathan|publisher=The Atlantic.com|work=Atlantic Monthly|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20040816045549/http://www.theatlantic.com/politics/budget/rauchf.htm |archive-date = August 16, 2004}}{{cite web|url=https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/polibig/schnnew.htm|title=The New Shape of American Politics|access-date=April 15, 2008|date=January 1987|author=Schneider, William|publisher=The Atlantic.com|work=Atlantic Monthly|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080509105231/http://www.theatlantic.com/politics/polibig/schnnew.htm|archive-date=May 9, 2008 }} These tax cuts have been credited by conservatives for the economic growth from 1983 to 1990,{{cite web|url=http://www.heritage.org/research/taxes/BG1086.cfm|title=The Historical Lessons of Lower Tax Rates|access-date=April 4, 2008|date=July 19, 1996|publisher=The Heritage Foundation|author=Mitchell, Daniel J.|archive-date=May 30, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070530071923/http://www.heritage.org/Research/Taxes/BG1086.cfm|url-status=unfit}} which by 1996 had become one of the longest expansions in American history.{{cite web|url=https://www.usnews.com/usnews/biztech/articles/961021/archive_034794.htm |title=Major Growing Pains: The economy's rosy, but people aren't. So what's going on here? |access-date=April 14, 2008 |date=October 13, 1996 |work=U.S. News & World Report |author=Rowe, Jonathan |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110524205915/http://www.usnews.com/usnews/biztech/articles/961021/archive_034794.htm |archive-date=May 24, 2011 }} Kemp notes that Federal Reserve chairman Paul Volcker's success at stemming inflation and the favorable regulatory environment were also major factors.{{cite web|url=https://www.usnews.com/blogs/capital-commerce/2007/12/21/a-chat-with-jack-kemp.html|title=A Chat With Jack Kemp|access-date=April 13, 2008|date=December 21, 2007|work=U.S. News & World Report|author=Pethokoukis, James|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080302083435/http://www.usnews.com/blogs/capital-commerce/2007/12/21/a-chat-with-jack-kemp.html|archive-date=March 2, 2008|url-status=dead}} Detractors note that the expansion was fueled by undesirable sectors like gaming, prisons, medical treatment, and credit card use.

An early Kemp tax reform attempt was an unsuccessful 1979 proposal to index tax brackets for cost of living fluctuations,{{cite magazine|url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,920349,00.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101022034824/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,920349,00.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 22, 2010|title=Budget Battle|access-date=March 21, 2008|magazine=Time|date=May 21, 1979}} which was incorporated in Reagan's 1980 package.{{cite magazine|url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,952730,00.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101125112007/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,952730,00.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 25, 2010|title=Conservative Conservatism|access-date=March 21, 2008|magazine=Time|date=September 22, 1980|author=Church, George J.}} Kemp co-sponsored a legislative attempt at enterprise zones in 1980.{{cite magazine|url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,948901,00.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080412100218/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,948901,00.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=April 12, 2008|title=Free Enterprise Oases|access-date=March 21, 2008|magazine=Time|date=July 14, 1980}} One of Kemp's more trying times as a congressman came in 1982 when Reagan decided to reverse the tax cuts and promote tax increases. The reversal was controversial and stimulated opposition by Kemp. Nonetheless, the revised taxes passed.{{cite magazine|url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,950722,00.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101015062920/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,950722,00.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 15, 2010|title=Thunder on the Right|access-date=March 21, 2008|magazine=Time|date=August 16, 1982|author=Andersen, Kurt}}{{cite magazine|url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,921247,00.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101015063541/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,921247,00.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 15, 2010|title=Scoring on a Reverse|access-date=March 21, 2008|magazine=Time|date=August 30, 1982|author=Isaacson, Walter}} In 1983, Kemp opposed the policies of chairman Volcker on multiple occasions. The debates included domestic monetary involvement and roles in funding the International Monetary Fund.{{cite magazine|url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,954012,00.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071023033739/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,954012,00.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 23, 2007|title=Paul Volcker Superstar|access-date=March 21, 2008|magazine=Time|date=July 25, 1983|author=Greenwald, John}}{{cite magazine|url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,955187,00.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081222011402/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,955187,00.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=December 22, 2008|title=Short of Cash|access-date=March 21, 2008|magazine=Time|date=August 8, 1983}}

Kemp delivered speeches at several Republican National Conventions. He addressed the convention on July 15 at the 1980 Republican National Convention in Detroit, Michigan and on August 21 at the 1984 Republican National Convention in Dallas, Texas.Kemp, Jack, An American Idea: Ending Limits to Growth, Goodrich, 1985 During the 1984 Convention, with Trent Lott as Republican Party Platform Committee chairman, Congressmen Kemp and Newt Gingrich claimed control of the party platform to the consternation of G.O.P. senators Bob Dole and Howard Baker.{{cite magazine|url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,951272,00.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101029140506/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,951272,00.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 29, 2010|title=Struggling for a Party's Soul|access-date=March 19, 2008|magazine=Time|date=September 3, 1984|author=Thomas, Evan}} Kemp's official role was as the chairman of the platform subcommittee on foreign policy. However, the three platform planks that he proposed involved tax hikes, the gold standard and the role of the Federal Reserve.{{cite magazine|url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,926802,00.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090510083415/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,926802,00.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=May 10, 2009|title=Coronation in Prime Time|access-date=March 21, 2008|magazine=Time|date=August 20, 1984|author=Tifft, Susan}} Despite Kemp's official role, his real influence as an author was on the grammatical structure of the plank on tax hikes.{{cite magazine|url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,926802,00.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090510083415/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,926802,00.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=May 10, 2009|title=Rallying Round a Comma Cause|access-date=March 21, 2008|magazine=Time|date=August 27, 1984}}{{cite magazine|url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,926800,00.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101029151509/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,926800,00.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 29, 2010|title=Party Time in Dallas|access-date=March 21, 2008|magazine=Time|date=August 27, 1984|author=Doemer, William}} By 1985, Kemp was a leading contender for the 1988 presidential nomination.{{cite magazine|url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,959618,00.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101029165015/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,959618,00.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 29, 2010|title=Already Jockeying for Position|access-date=March 19, 2008|magazine=Time|date=July 15, 1985|author=Kelly, James}} He also delivered remarks on free enterprise zones at the 1992 Republican National Convention in Houston, Texas.{{cite web|url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9E0CEEDE133AF93AA2575BC0A964958260|title= In Their Own Words; Excerpts From the Remarks By Housing Secretary Kemp|access-date=March 15, 2008|date=August 19, 1992|work=The New York Times}} Despite efforts and considerations of expanding his political domain, Kemp never held a fundraiser outside of his suburban Western New York district until well into his eighth term in Congress.{{cite web|url=https://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=F10D11F93F5C0C708CDDA80994DD484D81|title=The Region; Jack Kemp's War Chest Grows|access-date=March 8, 2008|date=November 3, 1985|work=The New York Times|author1=Scardino, Albert |author2=Alan Finder}}

Kemp was a critic of association football, known as soccer in the United States.{{cite web|url=http://hprsite.squarespace.com/kemp-ten-years-later-062006/ |title=Jack Kemp, Ten Years Later |access-date=March 27, 2008 |date=September 5, 2006 |publisher=Harvard Political Review |author=Prabhakar, Rahul |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071017201926/http://hprsite.squarespace.com/kemp-ten-years-later-062006/ |archive-date=October 17, 2007 }} In 1986, during a House floor debate over whether the United States should host the 1994 FIFA World Cup, Kemp proclaimed:

I think it is important for all those young out there—who someday hope to play real football, where you throw it and kick it and run with it and put it in your hands—[that] a distinction should be made that football is democratic capitalism, whereas soccer is a European socialist sport.{{cite web|url=http://www.slate.com/id/2103170/|title=The Capitalism of Soccer|access-date=March 27, 2008|date=June 30, 2004|author=Gross, Daniel|publisher=The Washington Post. Newsweek Interactive Co. LLC|work=Slate|archive-date=March 25, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080325224133/http://www.slate.com/id/2103170/|url-status=live}}

{{main|Republican Party presidential primaries, 1988}}

File:19871003 Jack Kemp Rally.jpg, on October 3, 1987. William Daroff is standing directly behind Kemp's left shoulder.]]

In 1988, if Kemp had won his campaign for the United States presidency, it would have made him the first person to move from the United States House of Representatives to the White House since James Garfield.{{cite magazine|url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,963738,00.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080408173511/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,963738,00.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=April 8, 2008|title=The High Jumper from St. Louis Missouri|access-date=March 17, 2008|date=March 9, 1987|magazine=Time|author=Demott, John S.}} When he formed his exploratory committee, he signed Ed Rollins, Reagan's 1984 re-election political director, as an advisor.{{cite news|url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1582843,00.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081221223923/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1582843,00.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=December 21, 2008|title=American Notes|access-date=March 17, 2008|date=December 15, 1986|work=Time}} From the outset, Kemp had failed to position himself as the primary alternative to Vice President Bush.{{cite magazine|url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,963997,00.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081207132852/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,963997,00.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=December 7, 2008|title=Campaign Portrait|access-date=March 17, 2008|date=April 13, 1987|magazine=Time|author=Stanley, Alessandra}} Except for a select few cognoscenti, the general public did not recognize Kemp's leadership ability, although he was a successful man of ideas.{{cite magazine|url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,963279,00.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101022212124/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,963279,00.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 22, 2010|title=Rushing to An Early Kickoff|access-date=March 17, 2008|date=January 19, 1987|magazine=Time|author=Barrett, Laurence I.|author-link=Laurence I. Barrett}} In fact, most of the Republican electorate found themselves unfamiliar with Kemp early in his campaign.{{cite news|url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,963270,00.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101022212453/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,963270,00.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 22, 2010|title=Iranscam's|access-date=March 17, 2008|date=January 19, 1987|work=Time}} Political pundits recognized him, however, as a visionary idea man.{{cite news |author=Schneider, William |title=The Republicans in '88 |url=https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/policamp/repub88.htm |publisher=Atlantic Online|work=Atlantic Monthly|pages=58–82 |date= July 1987 |access-date=April 15, 2008 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20040812192543/http://www.theatlantic.com/politics/policamp/repub88.htm |archive-date = August 12, 2004}} In addition, he was quickly perceived as a verbose speaker who sometimes lost contact with his audience. Although Kemp tried to appeal to conservatives, his libertarian philosophies of tolerance and individual rights and his commitment to supporting minorities, women, blue-collar workers and organized labor clashed with conservative voters' social and religious values. To Democrats, Kemp's free-market philosophies were a form of laissez-faire anarchy.{{cite web|url=https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/policamp/demo88.htm|title=The Democrats in '88|publisher=Atlantic Online|work=Atlantic Monthly|author=Schneider, William |access-date=April 15, 2008|date=April 1987 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20040804194157/http://www.theatlantic.com/politics/policamp/demo88.htm |archive-date = August 4, 2004}} However, as much as Kemp wanted to minimize government's role, he acknowledged that moves toward a more laissez-faire system should be well-thought out.{{cite web|url=http://www.newsweek.com/id/127497|title=The Right's War on Poverty: Conservatives Offer New Solutions To Old Problems|access-date=April 15, 2008|date=June 4, 1990|work=Newsweek|author=Clift, Eleanor}}

After the May 1987 Gary Hart–Donna Rice scandal, a questionnaire by The New York Times requested things such as psychiatric records and access to FBI files from all 14 presidential candidates. Candidates from each party expressed opinions on both sides of the personal privacy issue, and Kemp rejected the Times inquiry as "beneath the dignity of a presidential candidate".{{cite magazine|url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,964724,00.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101022234937/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,964724,00.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 22, 2010|title=Full Disclosure, Semi-Outrage|access-date=March 17, 2008|date=June 22, 1987|magazine=Time|author=Zuckerman, Laurence}}{{cite magazine|url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,964431,00.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071217220101/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,964431,00.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=December 17, 2007|title=Sounds of the Righteous Brothers|access-date=March 17, 2008|date=May 25, 1987|magazine=Time|author=Barrett, Laurence I.}} His campaign was on an early positive course with many key early endorsements in New Hampshire, but Bush held the support of much of the Republican establishment in New York. Although he had an eclectic mix of supporters, Kemp's campaign began borrowing against anticipated Federal matching funds because it had quickly spent itself into the red, which may have been due to the use of expensive direct mail fundraising techniques.{{cite magazine|url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,965008,00.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080408195846/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,965008,00.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=April 8, 2008|title=But Mike's Raking in Money|access-date=March 16, 2008|date=July 20, 1987|magazine=Time|author=Barrett, Laurence I.}} To offset his socially moderate stances, Kemp clarified his opposition to abortion, his support of the Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI) and his support for a stronger military than that favored by Secretary of State George Shultz. To position himself as Reagan's successor, Kemp called for Shultz's resignation based on claims that Shultz had neglected freedom fighters in Afghanistan and Nicaragua and had waffled on the SDI.{{cite magazine|url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,963662,00.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080308070443/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,963662,00.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=March 8, 2008|title=Tacking Further to the Right|access-date=March 17, 2008|date=March 2, 1987|magazine=Time|author=Barrett, Laurence I.}} In an attempt to highlight his stands on key Reagan Era foreign policy initiatives, Kemp traveled in September 1987 to Costa Rica, Honduras and El Salvador to lobby the presidents of those nations against the Arias Peace Plan—a peace accord US conservatives felt too conciliatory to Central American communists. He was accompanied on the trip by 50-plus US conservative leaders.{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1987/09/09/world/kemp-in-honduras-assails-latin-peace-plan.html|title=Kemp, in Honduras, Assails Latin Peace Plan|access-date=October 11, 2011|date=September 9, 1987|work=The New York Times|author=May, Clifford|archive-date=November 9, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121109145929/http://www.nytimes.com/1987/09/09/world/kemp-in-honduras-assails-latin-peace-plan.html|url-status=live}}

Despite a platform covering the full range of political subjects, Kemp's primary campaign weapon was a fiscal policy based on tax cuts. As part of his fiscal policy, he opposed a Social Security benefits freeze and endorsed a freeze on government spending.{{cite magazine|url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,966610,00.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081203205737/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,966610,00.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=December 3, 2008|title=Yes, There Are Issues|access-date=March 11, 2008|magazine=Time|date=August 8, 1988|author=Shapiro, Walter}} Some viewed Kemp's supply-side stance as an attempt to ignore the national budget deficit. In late 1987, political pundits saw that Kemp needed to gain support from the far right on non-social issues.{{cite magazine|url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,965457,00.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101023000103/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,965457,00.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 23, 2010|title=The Unreal Campaign|access-date=March 14, 2008|magazine=Time|date=September 14, 1987|author=Shapiro, Walter}} Kemp was among the majority of Republican candidates in opposition to Reagan's INF Treaty agreement with the Soviet Union's Mikhail Gorbachev despite general Republican voter approval of the treaty. With aspirations of support from right-wing voters, all candidates with low levels of poll support for the nomination took this same "sabre-rattling" stand.{{cite magazine|url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,966229,00.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090510083425/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,966229,00.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=May 10, 2009|title=An Offer They Can Refuse|access-date=March 14, 2008|magazine=Time|date=December 14, 1987|author=Griffith, Thomas}}{{cite magazine|url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,965949,00.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080220201647/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,965949,00.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=February 20, 2008|title=Yapping From The Right|access-date=March 14, 2008|magazine=Time|date=November 9, 1987|author=Shapiro, Walter}} By early 1988, the moderates (Bush and Dole) were clearly the front-runners and Kemp was battling with Pat Robertson as the conservative alternative to the moderates.{{cite web|url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=940DE0D7173BF935A25751C0A96E948260|title= Three Candidates in 2 Parties Bracing for the Battle of Their Political Lives; Jack F. Kemp: The Congressman Has to Finish Third to Remain Credible|access-date=March 15, 2008|date=February 16, 1988|work=The New York Times|author=May, Clifford D.}}

He used a somewhat negative advertising campaign that seemed to have the intended initial effect of boosting him to serious contention.{{cite magazine|url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,966574,00.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081203203811/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,966574,00.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=December 3, 2008|title=Campaign Journal|access-date=March 11, 2008|magazine=Time|date=August 8, 1988|author=Stanley, Alessandra}} His 1988 campaign was based on the platform of supply-side economics and inner-city enterprise zones. In Bare Knuckles and Back Rooms: My Life in American Politics, campaign chairman Rollins described Kemp as a candidate with foibles.{{cite web|url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9E0CE3D61338F930A3575AC0A960958260|title= Kemp Tries to Rein in His Words|access-date=March 4, 2008|date=September 3, 1996|work=The New York Times|author=Bruni, Frank}} Kemp's campaign managers say he was unmanageable: he ignored timers on his speeches, refused to call contributors, and refused to practice for debates. A humbling Super Tuesday, in which his 39 delegate total was fewer than eventual nominee and President Bush and both Dole and Pat Robertson, ended his campaign. After withdrawing from the race, he was still considered a contender for the vice presidential nomination.{{cite magazine|url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,968078,00.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930185840/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,968078,00.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 30, 2007|title=The Great G.O.P. Veepstakes Scoreboard|access-date=March 11, 2008|magazine=Time|date=August 8, 1988|author=Lamar, Jacob V.}} In 1989, the Kemps switched their official residence from Hamburg, New York to Bethesda, Maryland,{{cite web|url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9F06E5D61631F930A2575BC0A960958260|title= Of Knishes, Soulfulness and Kemp|access-date=March 3, 2008|date=August 13, 1996|work=The New York Times|author=Firestone, David}} their residence at the time of his death. In 1994, Kemp's 1988 campaign reached a settlement with the Federal Election Commission by agreeing to pay $120,000 in civil penalties for 1988 campaign election law violations for, among other things, excessive contributions, improper direct corporate donations, press overbilling, exceeding spending limits in Iowa and New Hampshire, and failure to reimburse corporations for providing air transportation.{{cite web|url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9901EEDB103DF931A15755C0A962958260|title=Kemp Agrees to Pay Campaign Penalties|access-date=March 8, 2008|date=June 22, 1994|work=The New York Times}}

File:Jack Kemp as HUD secretary.jpg Dean]]

As a so-called "bleeding-heart conservative", Kemp was a logical choice for Bush as the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development,{{cite magazine|url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,956576,00.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080514201800/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,956576,00.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=May 14, 2008|title=A Clean Bill of Health|access-date=March 10, 2008|magazine=Time|date=December 26, 1988|author=Lamar, Jacob V.}} whose job would be to foster public sector and private sector methods to meet the demands of public housing.{{cite web|url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=940DEEDD123CF932A15751C1A96E948260|title= New Supply Side for Jack Kemp|access-date=March 10, 2008|date=December 21, 1988|work=The New York Times}} However, the scandals of Reagan's Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Samuel Pierce and the neglect of the president were obstacles from the start, and Kemp was unsuccessful at either of his major initiatives: enacting enterprise zones and promoting public housing tenant ownership. The goal of these two plans was to change public housing into tenant-owned residences and to lure industry and business into inner cities with federal incentives.{{cite magazine|url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,975501,00.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080309011554/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,975501,00.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=March 9, 2008|title=The Political Interest|access-date=March 5, 2008|magazine=Time|date=May 11, 1992|author=Kramer, Michael}} Although Kemp did not affect much policy as HUD's director, he cleaned up HUD's reputation,{{cite web|url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9F04E4D71430F933A1575BC0A960958260|title=Kemp's Legacy as Housing Secretary: One of Ideas, Not Accomplishments|access-date=March 4, 2008|date=August 20, 1996|work=The New York Times|author=Holmes, Steven A.}}{{cite magazine|url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,958199,00.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090711155736/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,958199,00.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=July 11, 2009|title=Jack Be Nimble, Jack Be Quick|access-date=March 6, 2008|magazine=Time|date=July 24, 1989|author=Magnuson, Ed}} and developed a plan to salvage the Federal Housing Administration.{{cite magazine|url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,970380,00.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081215160408/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,970380,00.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=December 15, 2008|title=Business Notes Mortgage Insurance|access-date=March 6, 2008|magazine=Time|date=June 18, 1990}} He halted or revamped certain programs and developed an antidrug offensive,{{cite magazine|url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,957690,00.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101022074649/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,957690,00.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 22, 2010|title=American Notes Housing|access-date=March 10, 2008|magazine=Time|date=May 22, 1989}} which enabled him to collaborate with Director of the National Drug Control Policy Bill Bennett.{{cite magazine|url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,956800,00.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101022071728/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,956800,00.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 22, 2010|title=Back in the Bully Pulpit|access-date=March 10, 2008|magazine=Time|date=January 23, 1989|author=Sidey, Hugh}} He supported "Operation Clean Sweep" and similar movements to prohibit firearm possession in public housing.{{cite magazine|url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,957564,00.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070525095736/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,957564,00.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=May 25, 2007|title=Evicting The Drug Dealers|access-date=March 10, 2008|magazine=Time|date=May 1, 1989|author=Prudhomme, Alex}}{{cite magazine|url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,973185,00.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101122040038/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,973185,00.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 22, 2010|title=Firearms: Chicago's Uphill Battle|access-date=March 6, 2008|magazine=Time|date=June 17, 1991|author=Prudhomme, Alex}}

Although Kemp coaxed Bush to support a $4 billion housing program that encouraged public housing tenants to buy their own apartments, the Democratic Congress allocated only $361 million to the plan. In addition to opposition in Congress, Kemp fought White House Budget Director Richard Darman, who opposed Kemp's pet project HOPE (Homeownership and Opportunity for People Everywhere). The project involved selling public housing to its tenants. Darman also opposed Kemp's proposed welfare adjustment of government offsets.{{cite web|url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9F0CEFDC1E39F93BA15751C0A965958260|title= How Jack Kemp Lost the War on Poverty|access-date=March 2, 2008|date=February 28, 1993|work=The New York Times|author=Deparle, Jason}} HOPE was first proposed to White House chief of staff John Sununu in June 1989 to create enterprise zones, increase subsidies for low-income renters, expand social services for the homeless and elderly, and enact tax changes to help first-time home buyers. Sununu opposed it at first as did most of the Cabinet, but in August 1990 Sununu, at the urging of United States Attorney General Dick Thornburgh, encouraged President Bush to endorse Kemp's Economic Empowerment Task Force. However, the Persian Gulf War and the budget negotiations overshadowed Kemp's new project. Darman battled Kemp and his allies such as Gingrich, James Pinkerton, and Vin Weber. The budget left him with $256 million for his plan, which Kemp increased during some appropriations battles. Soon after Clayton Yeutter was appointed chief White House domestic policy advisor, Kemp's Economic Empowerment Task Force was abolished.

President Bush avoided federal antipoverty issues,{{cite magazine|url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,975516,00.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071121211504/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,975516,00.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 21, 2007|title=Bleeding-Heart Conservatives|access-date=March 5, 2008|magazine=Time|date=May 18, 1992|author=Goodgame, Dan}} and instead used Kemp to speak on the administration's low priority conservative activist agenda.{{cite magazine|url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,975550,00.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071121221137/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,975550,00.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 21, 2007|title=Smoldering Embers, Scared Politicians|access-date=March 5, 2008|magazine=Time|date=May 18, 1992}}{{cite web|url=http://www.newsweek.com/id/125292/page/5 |title=Decoding Bush |access-date=April 15, 2008 |date=February 10, 1992 |work=Newsweek |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110520101313/http://www.newsweek.com/id/125292/page/5 |archive-date=May 20, 2011 }} Bush's contribution to the urban agenda had been volunteerism through his "Points of Light" theme,{{cite web|url=https://www.usnews.com/usnews/news/articles/920518/archive_017716.htm |title='They Are Not Our Issues': White House maneuvers |access-date=April 15, 2008 |date=May 10, 1992 |work=U.S. News & World Report |author1=Walsh, Kenneth T. |author2=Joseph P. Shapiro |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110524211448/http://www.usnews.com/usnews/news/articles/920518/archive_017716.htm |archive-date=May 24, 2011 }} and Kemp received stronger support for his ideas from presidential candidate Bill Clinton.{{cite web|url=http://www.newsweek.com/id/124011|title=Tough Love From The Dems: Looking For A New Way To Stress Family Values|access-date=April 15, 2008|date=December 23, 1991|work=Newsweek}} By the time of the Los Angeles riots of 1992, Bush was a bit late in supporting enterprise zones, tenant ownership and welfare reform: Mort Zuckerman compared Bush's vision on racial issues to that of a man riding backwards in a railroad car.{{cite web|url=https://www.usnews.com/usnews/opinion/articles/920525/archive_017775.htm |title=The New Realism |access-date=April 15, 2008 |date=May 17, 1992 |work=U.S. News & World Report |author=Zuckerman, Mortimer B. |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120112062215/http://www.usnews.com/usnews/opinion/articles/920525/archive_017775.htm |archive-date=January 12, 2012 }} Nonetheless, the riots made Kemp a focal point of the administration,{{cite web|url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9E0CE4D8163CF934A35756C0A964958260|title= After The Riots; As Los Angeles Smoke Lifts, Bush Can See Kemp Clearly|access-date=March 8, 2008|date=May 7, 1992|work=The New York Times|author=Deparle, Jason}}{{cite web|url=http://www.newsweek.com/id/125770|title=Filling The Political Void|access-date=April 15, 2008|date=May 18, 1992|work=Newsweek|author=Fineman, Howard}} even though at first, Kemp had been overlooked.{{cite web|url=https://www.usnews.com/usnews/politics/whispers/articles/920511/archive_017670.htm |title=Kemp Followers; Don't Move; The Third Man; Sure Thing; Together Again; Blackballed: Kemp should have been sent on L.A. riot duty, friends say; Pero is almost certain to be in on fall presidential debates; Carl Sagan snubbed by prestigious science organization |access-date=April 15, 2008 |date=May 3, 1992 |work=U.S. News & World Report |author=Fenyvesi, Charles |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110524211511/http://www.usnews.com/usnews/politics/whispers/articles/920511/archive_017670.htm |archive-date=May 24, 2011 }} However, Charles E. Schumer had probably summarized the prospects of Kemp's success in advance best when he said in 1989, "Good ideas with money can do a whole lot. Good ideas without money aren't probably going to do a whole lot," and the issue here was the decision not to fund Kemp's ideas. Although Kemp was unable to procure money for his visions, he was among the administration's leading users of first class corporate jets.{{cite web|url=http://www.newsweek.com/id/128213|title=Addicted To Perks: How America's Elites Rationalize Their Problem|access-date=April 15, 2008|date=July 8, 1991|work=Newsweek|author=Alter, Jonathan}} He cited lingering effects from a knee injury as the reason he had to fly first class at government expense as the Housing Secretary.{{cite web|url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9F0DE0DB1630F93BA2575BC0A960958260|title= Army Allowed Kemp to Skip Army Call-Up For an Injury|access-date=March 3, 2008|date=August 18, 1996|work=The New York Times|author=Frantz, Douglas}}

Generally, his time as housing secretary was considered unsuccessful. However, although he could not get federal funding for empowerment zones passed during his tenure, by 1992 38 states had created empowerment zones,{{cite web|url=https://www.usnews.com/usnews/news/articles/920518/archive_017714.htm |title=Requiem for the Cities?: A new fight over urban policy has begun. The key will be to focus on the right problems and to avoid overselling chances for success |access-date=April 15, 2008 |date=May 10, 1992 |work=U.S. News & World Report |author1=Rainie, Harrison |author2=Matthew Cooper |author3=Joseph P. Shapiro |author4=Scott Minerbrook |author5=Paul Glastris |author6=Jeannye Thornton |author7=Dorian Friedman |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110524211443/http://www.usnews.com/usnews/news/articles/920518/archive_017714.htm |archive-date=May 24, 2011 }} and in 1994 $3.5 billion was approved for them under President Clinton.{{cite magazine|url=http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,2656,00.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110122212745/http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,2656,00.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 22, 2011|title=Clinton . . . $3.5 Billion for Empowerment Zones|access-date=March 4, 2008|magazine=Time|date=December 21, 1994}} A free market Kemp initiative to allow homeowners to subdivide their houses for the purpose of creating rental units without inordinate bureaucracy did not get executed under the Clinton administration, however.{{cite web|url=https://www.usnews.com/usnews/culture/articles/961230/archive_035186.htm |title=20 Silver Bullets: 7. How to Make Housing Affordable: Let People Subdivide Their Homes |access-date=April 14, 2008 |date=December 22, 1996 |work=U.S. News & World Report |author=Maass, Peter |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110524210227/http://www.usnews.com/usnews/culture/articles/961230/archive_035186.htm |archive-date=May 24, 2011 |author-link=Peter Maass }} In 1992, with H. Ross Perot mounting a formidable campaign, Kemp was again considered a vice presidential candidate.{{cite magazine|url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,975946,00.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100812191453/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,975946,00.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=August 12, 2010|title=Spelling Out The Job Specs|access-date=March 4, 2008|magazine=Time|date=July 6, 1992|author=Shapiro, Walter}}{{cite web|url=https://www.usnews.com/usnews/politics/whispers/articles/920720/archive_018053.htm |title=Waiting Game; Charmed By Perot; Under the Volcano; Sigh of Relief; One and the Same; Out of Time: Perot will name veep choice after GOP convention; Cheney says Pentagon still probing 109 POW sightings; Worst taste of the year: sending Ice-T's album in body bag |access-date=April 15, 2008 |date=July 12, 1992 |work=U.S. News & World Report |author=Fenyvesi, Charles |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110524211437/http://www.usnews.com/usnews/politics/whispers/articles/920720/archive_018053.htm |archive-date=May 24, 2011 }}

Kemp was partly at fault for not achieving either of his primary goals because he did not get along with the rest of the Cabinet. At one point, Kemp told James Baker, White House Chief of Staff, that Bush's best chance to win reelection was to dump his economic advisors in dramatic fashion.{{cite web|url=https://www.usnews.com/usnews/politics/whispers/articles/921019/archive_018503.htm |title=Darmanophobia; Travel Plans; In the Middle; Ego Tripped; Safe Deposit; Amazing Grace: Darman role in debate strategy angers GOP conservatives; Gates mission to Moscow mystifies Kremlin leadership; Storm over Norm: Does Schwarzkopf take too much credit? |access-date=April 14, 2008 |date=October 11, 1992 |work=U.S. News & World Report |author=Fenyvesi, Charles |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110524211414/http://www.usnews.com/usnews/politics/whispers/articles/921019/archive_018503.htm |archive-date=May 24, 2011 }} Before the 1992 Republican National Convention, Kemp and six prominent Republican conservatives prepared a controversial memo urging Bush to revise his economic policy.{{cite web|url=https://www.usnews.com/usnews/politics/whispers/articles/920817/archive_018200.htm |title=Take a Memo; Home, Sweet Home; All's Not Lost; Lost Cause; Wrong Numbers: Kemp and allies to challenge Bush on economy at convention; Nixon to the president: There is still hope for your campaign; 'Pro-choice' Republicans give up fight over platform plank |access-date=April 15, 2008 |date=August 9, 1992 |work=U.S. News & World Report |author=Fenyvesi, Charles |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110524211431/http://www.usnews.com/usnews/politics/whispers/articles/920817/archive_018200.htm |archive-date=May 24, 2011 }} Contemporaneously, conservative Republicans in office and in the media such as William F. Buckley Jr. and George Will felt Dan Quayle should be ousted in favor of Kemp.{{cite web|url=http://www.newsweek.com/id/125883|title=The Quayle Question|access-date=April 15, 2008|date=August 3, 1992|work=Newsweek|author1=Morganthau, Tom |author2=Ann McDaniel}} This followed Kemp's reference to parts of the President's economic policy as "gimmicks" after the 1992 State of the Union Address.{{cite web|url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9E0CEFDD103FF931A35751C0A964958260|title= Kemp Says Parts of Bush's Plan for the Economy Are Gimmicks|access-date=April 15, 2008|date=February 2, 1992|work=The New York Times}} Kemp was respected within the party for opposing Bush, and towards the end of Bush's administration insiders recognized his value.{{cite web|url=http://www.newsweek.com/id/127392|title=Does Kemp Want Out?|access-date=April 15, 2008|date=November 25, 1991|work=Newsweek|author1=Zeman, Ned |author2=Lucy Howard}} In late 1991, 81 of the 166 Republican Congressmen signed a letter co-authored by Curt Weldon and Dan Burton requesting that Bush cede some domestic authority to Kemp as a "domestic policy czar."{{cite web|url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9D0CE5D7113BF935A15752C1A967958260|title= Washington Memo; For Bush, the Kemp Thing Reappears|access-date=April 15, 2008|date=November 26, 1991|work=The New York Times|author=Dowd, Maureen}} The letter, highlighting Kemp's "energy, enthusiasm and national clout", insulted Bush.{{cite web|url=http://www.newsweek.com/id/123992/page/3 |title=No Happy Warriors Here |access-date=April 15, 2008 |date=December 16, 1991 |work=Newsweek |author=Will, George F. |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110520101324/http://www.newsweek.com/id/123992/page/3 |archive-date=May 20, 2011 }} Kemp was a bit of a surprise to stay in the Bush Cabinet for the duration of his presidency,{{cite magazine|url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,971572,00.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071113234244/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,971572,00.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 13, 2007|title=Who's Next Out the Door?|access-date=March 6, 2008|magazine=Time|date=November 5, 1990|author=Ellis, David}} and he was described as one of the few Bush administration members who would take tough stands.{{cite magazine|url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,958265,00.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101022070854/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,958265,00.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 22, 2010|title=A Loose Cannon's Parting Shot|access-date=March 6, 2008|magazine=Time|date=August 7, 1989|author=Shannon, Elaine}} Kemp did not expect to be retained if the Republicans were reelected in 1992,{{cite web|url=https://www.usnews.com/usnews/politics/whispers/articles/920824/archive_018238.htm |title=Ultimatum to Iraq; The Doctor Is Back; Moving On; Turnaround; Debating the Debates; Roger Redux: Saddam Hussein will be probable target of U.S. move in Iraq; Baker: The master of spin control is back at the old game; Ailes may rejoin the Bush campaign |access-date=April 15, 2008 |date=August 16, 1992 |work=U.S. News & World Report |author=Fenyvesi, Charles |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090507151508/http://www.usnews.com/usnews/politics/whispers/articles/920824/archive_018238.htm |archive-date=May 7, 2009 }} and some pundits agreed with him.

Kemp gave public speeches for $35,000 apiece between his time as Housing Secretary and his vice presidential nomination. By 1994, Kemp had embarked on 241 fund-raising dinners to raise $35 million for a 1996 presidential bid and to pay off his 1988 campaign debts. After stepping down from his $189,000 Secretary of Housing and Urban Development job, Kemp personally earned $6.9 million in the next three years, primarily for speaking on behalf of local Republican candidates.{{cite magazine|url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,984990,00.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081201162628/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,984990,00.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=December 1, 2008|title=In From the Cold|access-date=March 2, 2008|magazine=Time|date=August 19, 1996|author=Kramer, Michael}}{{cite web|url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9B0CE2D6163BF935A3575AC0A960958260|title=Kemp Earned $6.9 Million, Mostly as Speaker, Since '92|access-date=March 4, 2008|date=September 6, 1996|work=The New York Times|author=Fritsch, Jane}} During the Super Bowl XXVIII festivities, Kemp hosted a notable fundraiser series.{{cite web|url=https://www.usnews.com/usnews/politics/whispers/articles/940207/archive_012361.htm |title=Back to Strength; Thinking the Unthinkable; Kemp Followers; The Wrong Fields; Past Prime Time; Backing Up Bill: Saddam Hussein's military is almost back to prewar potency; Rostenkowski could lose March 15 primary, insiders say; Clinton's speech insurance: Seven floppy disks, two paper copies |access-date=April 14, 2008 |date=January 30, 1994 |work=U.S. News & World Report |author=Fenyvesi, Charles |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110524211306/http://www.usnews.com/usnews/politics/whispers/articles/940207/archive_012361.htm |archive-date=May 24, 2011 }}

Kemp was considered the star of the 1992 Republican National Convention.{{cite web|url=https://www.usnews.com/usnews/news/articles/920831/archive_018267.htm |title=The GOP: Four Years from Now |access-date=April 15, 2008 |date=August 23, 1992 |work=U.S. News & World Report |author=Roberts, Steven V. |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110524211419/http://www.usnews.com/usnews/news/articles/920831/archive_018267.htm |archive-date=May 24, 2011 }} In 1992 and 1993, Kemp was considered the favorite or co-favorite for the 1996 presidential nomination.{{cite web|url=https://www.usnews.com/usnews/politics/whispers/articles/930719/archive_015472.htm |title=Refuge for Abdel Rahman?; Double Standard; Still No. 1; Second Thoughts; Getting the Jump; Clinton's Bush League: Shiek Abdel Rahman secretly offered asylum by Afghanistan; First lady to keep administration health reform portfolio; Clinton foreign policy getting Bush-like look |access-date=April 14, 2008 |date=July 11, 1993 |work=U.S. News & World Report |author=Fenyvesi, Charles |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110524211313/http://www.usnews.com/usnews/politics/whispers/articles/930719/archive_015472.htm |archive-date=May 24, 2011 }}{{cite web|url=https://www.usnews.com/usnews/politics/whispers/articles/930510/archive_015086.htm |title=Surveying the Field; Picking Up Speed; Getting Out; Co-Portraits: As Clinton slips, Republicans savor prospects for 1996; Bosnians blame foreign Muslim volunteers for atrocities; Official presidential photo becomes double exposure |access-date=April 14, 2008 |date=May 2, 1993 |work=U.S. News & World Report |author=Fenyvesi, Charles |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110524211354/http://www.usnews.com/usnews/politics/whispers/articles/930510/archive_015086.htm |archive-date=May 24, 2011 }}{{cite web|url=https://www.usnews.com/usnews/politics/whispers/articles/921109/archive_018602.htm |title=Early Line; Promises, Promises; On Its Way; The Real Hillary?; Poor Perot: Kemp rates as early favorite in '96 GOP sweepstakes; North Korea sends another Scud cargo to Iran, Syria; Perot's campaign: Is his $60 million ad blitz tax deductible? |access-date=April 14, 2008 |date=November 1, 1992 |work=U.S. News & World Report |author=Fenyvesi, Charles |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110524211405/http://www.usnews.com/usnews/politics/whispers/articles/921109/archive_018602.htm |archive-date=May 24, 2011 }} At the time of the 1994 mid-term elections, Kemp was widely anticipated to announce his candidacy for 1996,{{cite web|url=https://www.usnews.com/usnews/politics/whispers/articles/941107/archive_013620.htm |title=Rising Specter?; Political Capital; Central Casting; Peace – At Last; Price War; FBI to Congress: Just Say No |access-date=April 14, 2008 |date=October 30, 1994 |work=U.S. News & World Report |author1=Stanglin, Douglas |author2=Gordon Witkin |author3=David Fischer |author4=Gary Cohen |author5=Kathryn Bushkin |author6=Steven V. Roberts |author7=Charles Fenyvesi |author8=Tim Zimmermann |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110524211248/http://www.usnews.com/usnews/politics/whispers/articles/941107/archive_013620.htm |archive-date=May 24, 2011 }} and his supporters wanted a formal announcement by the end of the year.{{cite web|url=https://www.usnews.com/usnews/politics/whispers/articles/940801/archive_013205.htm |title=Hot Footprints; How Washington Works; Snubbing Harvard; Kemp's Followers; Beating Bush; Taking Ames: Pentagon traces mystery plutonium to Russian atomic ministry; Democrats gave seed money to new group battling religious right; Jim Baker tops Bush in Texas fund-raising league |access-date=April 14, 2008 |date=July 24, 1994 |work=U.S. News & World Report |author=Fenyvesi, Charles |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110524211258/http://www.usnews.com/usnews/politics/whispers/articles/940801/archive_013205.htm |archive-date=May 24, 2011 }} In January 1995, Kemp's stated reason for not entering the 1996 Republican Party presidential primaries was that his personal beliefs were out of balance with the contemporary Republican political landscape: Kemp opposed term limits, he always preferred tax cuts to anything resembling a balanced budget amendment and, unlike most Republicans, favored federal incentives to combat urban poverty.{{cite magazine|url=http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,2941,00.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101008012000/http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,2941,00.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 8, 2010|title=Kemp . . . Not Republican Enough|access-date=March 4, 2008|magazine=Time|date=January 30, 1995}}{{cite magazine|url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,982490,00.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101008023725/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,982490,00.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 8, 2010|title=Eyes on the Prize|access-date=March 4, 2008|magazine=Time|date=February 13, 1995|author=Kramer, Michael}} In 1995, Gloria Borger noted Kemp was not in step with the 1994 Contract with America. Kemp also noted a distaste for the fundraising necessary for a presidential campaign.{{cite web|url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=990CEEDE163DF932A05752C0A963958260|title= Kemp Rejects Presidential Bid, Citing Dislike of Fund Raising|access-date=March 8, 2008|date=January 31, 1995|work=The New York Times|author=Lewis, Neil A.}} Gergen stated that by 1996 the selection process had become so expensive, mean and personally invasive that it discouraged several top Republicans from running.{{cite web|url=https://www.usnews.com/usnews/opinion/articles/960304/archive_034073.htm |title=Republican Wreckage |access-date=April 14, 2008 |date=February 25, 1996 |work=U.S. News & World Report |author=Gergen, David |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110524210234/http://www.usnews.com/usnews/opinion/articles/960304/archive_034073.htm |archive-date=May 24, 2011 }}

Senate Majority Leader Dole and Gingrich appointed Kemp to head a tax reform commission, (the Kemp Commission), in response to voter concern that the tax code had become too complicated.{{cite web|url=https://www.usnews.com/usnews/biztech/articles/950417/archive_010885.htm |title=Sweating the Details: The House passes tax cuts, but trimming deficits will be a tougher exercise |access-date=April 14, 2008 |date=April 9, 1995 |work=U.S. News & World Report |author1=Hage, David |author2=David Fischer |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110524210414/http://www.usnews.com/usnews/biztech/articles/950417/archive_010885.htm |archive-date=May 24, 2011 }} Kemp championed many issues including the flat tax, which he formally proposed after he was appointed.{{cite magazine|url=http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,3492,00.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101008020002/http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,3492,00.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 8, 2010|title=Back in the Pocket|access-date=March 4, 2008|magazine=Time|date=April 3, 1995}}{{cite magazine|url=http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,4786,00.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101008040517/http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,4786,00.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 8, 2010|title=Quayle in Dole Country|access-date=March 4, 2008|magazine=Time|date=September 21, 1995}}{{cite magazine|url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,983936,00.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101106201342/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,983936,00.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 6, 2010|title=Secrets of the Kemp Commission|access-date=March 4, 2008|magazine=Time|date=January 8, 1996|author=Birnbaum, Jeffrey H.}} The proposal included some politically popular income tax deductions, such as mortgage interest,{{cite web|url=https://www.usnews.com/usnews/biztech/articles/960212/archive_009276.htm |title=Arrest Him, He Stole My Flat Tax! |access-date=April 14, 2008 |date=February 4, 1996 |work=U.S. News & World Report |author=Dentzer, Susan |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110524210318/http://www.usnews.com/usnews/biztech/articles/960212/archive_009276.htm |archive-date=May 24, 2011 }} but it remained fairly general.{{cite web|url=https://www.usnews.com/usnews/news/articles/960129/archive_033954.htm |title=Unfriendly Fire on the Rising Star: As he climbs in the polls, Steve Forbes is accused of violating a cardinal rule of his trade |access-date=April 14, 2008 |date=January 21, 1996 |work=U.S. News & World Report |author1=Marks, John |author2=Michael Barone |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110524210358/http://www.usnews.com/usnews/news/articles/960129/archive_033954.htm |archive-date=May 24, 2011 }} Among the 1996 Republican Party candidates, both Steve Forbes and Phil Gramm proposed the flat tax.{{cite magazine|url=http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,5591,00.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101029223946/http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,5591,00.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 29, 2010|title=Who's the Flattest of Them All?|access-date=March 4, 2008|magazine=Time|date=January 16, 1996}}

During the campaign, Kemp's endorsement was highly coveted.{{cite web|url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9B02E6DE1739F932A05752C0A960958260|title= Politics: The Endorsements;Hopefuls Go a-Courtin' And Kemp Is the Prize|access-date=March 8, 2008|date=January 31, 1996|work=The New York Times|author=Berke, Richard L.}}{{cite web|url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9402E4DD1739F932A35751C0A960958260|title= Politics;Kemp Keeps His Neutrality|access-date=March 8, 2008|date=February 1, 1996|work=The New York Times}} Forbes had tried to get Kemp to run in the 1996 campaign, but Kemp declined and in fact endorsed Forbes just as Dole was closing in on the nomination, and just after Dole gained the endorsements of former contenders Lamar Alexander and Richard Lugar.{{cite magazine|url=http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,5997,00.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101029204211/http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,5997,00.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 29, 2010|title=Kemp Backs Forbes|access-date=March 4, 2008|magazine=Time|date=March 6, 1996}} Some feel the primary reason for the endorsement was to keep the flat tax idea and other supply-side views alive.{{cite web|url=https://www.usnews.com/usnews/news/articles/960318/archive_009992.htm |title=What, Exactly, Does Forbes Want? |access-date=April 14, 2008 |date=March 10, 1996 |work=U.S. News & World Report |author=Marks, John |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110524210421/http://www.usnews.com/usnews/news/articles/960318/archive_009992.htm |archive-date=May 24, 2011 }}{{cite web|url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=940CE3DB1F39F934A35750C0A960958260|title= Politics: Endorsement;Kemp Supports Forbes in Bid to Salvage Flat-Tax Plan as an Issue in the Campaign|access-date=March 8, 2008|date=March 7, 1996|work=The New York Times|author=Tollerson, Ernest}} Many thought Kemp had destroyed his own political future with the endorsement, and Kemp profusely apologized to Dole's campaign offices. After it became clear Dole would be the nominee, Kemp attempted to form a bipartisan seminar with Felix Rohatyn to produce a fiscal plan that could be endorsed by both parties.{{cite web|url=https://www.usnews.com/usnews/politics/whispers/articles/960715/archive_034137.htm |title=Can the Middle East Bank on Bibi?; The Name Game; Unkindest Cuts; Joining Forces; Speaking Out; Star Search |access-date=April 14, 2008 |date=July 7, 1996 |work=U.S. News & World Report |author1=Stanglin, Douglas |author2=David Makovsky |author3=David Fischer |author4=Tim Zimmermann |author5=Richard J. Newman |author6=Jim Impoco |author7=Ted Gest |author8=Josh Chetwynd |author9=Gary Cohen |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110524210432/http://www.usnews.com/usnews/politics/whispers/articles/960715/archive_034137.htm |archive-date=May 24, 2011 }}

Kemp was also outspoken on immigration at around this time: according to Kemp's interpretation of a scientific index that he and Bennett support, "immigrants are a blessing, not a curse."{{cite web|url=https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/immigrat/miles2f.htm|title=The Coming Immigration Debate|access-date=April 15, 2008|date=April 1995|author=Miles, Jack|work=Atlantic Monthly|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20040812195549/http://www.theatlantic.com/politics/immigrat/miles2f.htm |archive-date = August 12, 2004}} In 1994, Kemp and Bennett opposed California ballot Proposition 187, a measure to bar illegal immigrants from obtaining public services, in direct opposition to first-term Republican California Governor Pete Wilson, one of its endorsers who was running for re-election.{{cite magazine|url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,981724,00.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130204123100/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,981724,00.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=February 4, 2013|title=The Week October 16–22|access-date=March 4, 2008|magazine=Time|date=October 31, 1994|author=Adams, Kathleen|display-authors=etal}}{{cite magazine|url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,981713,00.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110122191416/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,981713,00.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 22, 2011|title=Public Eye Alienable Rights|access-date=March 4, 2008|magazine=Time|date=October 31, 1994|author=Carlson, Margaret}} Kemp supported rights for illegal immigrants, and opposed Lamar Smith and Alan Simpson's proposed restrictions on legal immigration.{{cite web|url=https://www.usnews.com/usnews/news/articles/950925/archive_032937.htm |title=Closing the Golden Door: The immigration battle |access-date=April 14, 2008 |date=September 15, 1995 |work=U.S. News & World Report |author=Bowermaster, David |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110524210438/http://www.usnews.com/usnews/news/articles/950925/archive_032937.htm |archive-date=May 24, 2011 }}

{{main|1996 United States presidential election}}

File:Dole Kemp Time Magazine cover.jpg and Kemp were featured on the cover of Time, but were nearly displaced by a story about Mars (inset on cover)]]

Kemp had a reputation as the highest-profile progressive Republican. When Dole declined an invitation to speak to the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, he suggested Kemp as a substitute even before Kemp had become the vice presidential nominee.{{cite magazine|url=http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,6884,00.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050307054251/http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,6884,00.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=March 7, 2005|title=How about Never?|access-date=March 4, 2008|magazine=Time|date=July 9, 1996}} On August 5, 1996, Dole announced a 15% across-the-board tax cut in response to both the Forbes campaign and Kemp's tax reform commission. Several of Dole's other campaign ideas came from Kemp and Bill Bennett's Empower America, which had Jeane Kirkpatrick, Weber, Forbes and Alexander as principals. For example, Dole borrowed Kirkpatrick's tough foreign policy, Bennett's "right conduct" and even Alexander's school choice interest.{{cite web|url=https://www.usnews.com/usnews/opinion/articles/960826/archive_034438.htm |title=A Conservatism of the Head |access-date=April 14, 2008 |date=August 18, 1996 |work=U.S. News & World Report |author=Barone, Michael |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110524210446/http://www.usnews.com/usnews/opinion/articles/960826/archive_034438.htm |archive-date=May 24, 2011 }}

Bennett declined the offer to be Dole's running mate but suggested Kemp,{{cite magazine|url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,985111,00.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101030000803/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,985111,00.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 30, 2010|title=The Chairman of Virtue|access-date=March 1, 2008|magazine=Time|date=September 16, 1996|author=Goodgame, Dan}} a man described as Dole's antagonist.{{cite magazine|url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,984989,00.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071017161748/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,984989,00.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 17, 2007|title=Punching Up The Ticket|access-date=March 2, 2008|magazine=Time|date=August 19, 1996|author1=Lacayo, Richard |author2=Michael Duffy}} On August 16, 1996, the Republican Party chose Kemp as its vice presidential nominee, running alongside former Senator Dole. Kemp was seen as a means to attract conservative and libertarian-minded voters like those of tough nomination-challengers Forbes and Pat Buchanan.{{cite web|url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9E04E4D91331F936A2575BC0A960958260|title=In New Role, Kemp Fights With His Past Over Ideology|access-date=March 4, 2008|date=August 15, 1996|work=The New York Times|author=Ayers, B. Drummond Jr.}} Kemp was chosen over Connie Mack, John McCain, and Carroll Campbell,{{cite magazine|url=http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,7061,00.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110203184846/http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,7061,00.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=February 3, 2011|title=Gipper Junior on Deck?|access-date=March 4, 2008|magazine=Time|date=August 8, 1996}} and it is assumed that this was partly because Kemp had several former staffers in influential positions as Dole's senior advisors.{{cite web|url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9B00E6DD1E3EF932A2575BC0A960958260|title=Kemp Will See Familiar Faces in the Dole Camp|access-date=March 4, 2008|date=August 11, 1996|work=The New York Times|author=Nagourney, Adam}} Dole had had a long history of representing the budget-balancing faction of the Party, while Kemp had had a long history of representing the tax-cutting advocates,{{cite web|url=https://www.usnews.com/usnews/news/articles/960826/archive_034436.htm |title=Off to the Races: The GOP's long-distance runner isn't lonely any more. But can he catch Bill Clinton? |access-date=April 14, 2008 |date=August 18, 1996 |work=U.S. News & World Report |author1=Borger, Gloria |author2=Steven V. Roberts |author3=Bruce B. Auster |author4=Michael Barone |author5=Kathryn Bushkin |author6=Cornelia Carter |author7=Jerelyn Eddings |author8=Mel Elfin |author9=David Fischer |author10=Barbrara Ray |author11=Kenneth T. Walsh |author12=Warren Cohen |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110524210535/http://www.usnews.com/usnews/news/articles/960826/archive_034436.htm |archive-date=May 24, 2011 }} and Kemp's tax-cutting fiscal track record was seen as the perfect fit for the ticket.{{cite web|url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9F02E6DD1E3EF932A2575BC0A960958260|title= Kemp Fiscal Views Win Party's Heart|access-date=March 4, 2008|date=August 11, 1996|work=The New York Times|author=Stevenson, Richard W.}} When Kemp became Dole's running mate in 1996, they appeared on the cover of the August 19, 1996, issue of Time magazine,{{cite news|url=http://www.time.com/time/covers/0,16641,19960819,00.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071017035001/http://www.time.com/time/covers/0,16641,19960819,00.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 17, 2007|title=Bob Dole, Jack Kemp / Time Cover|access-date=February 24, 2008|date=August 19, 1996|work=Time Covers}} but the pair barely edged out a story on the reported discovery of extraterrestrial life on Mars; Time inset the latter on the cover and wrote about how difficult the decision was.{{cite magazine|url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,985008,00.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081201173609/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,985008,00.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=December 1, 2008|title=To Our Readers|access-date=March 2, 2008|date=August 19, 1996|magazine=Time|author=Issacson, Walter}}

The two politicians had a storied history stemming from alternative perspectives and objectives. Dole was a longstanding conservative deficit hawk who had even voted against John F. Kennedy's tax cuts, while Kemp was an outspoken supply-sider. In the early 1980s, according to David Stockman, Kemp persuaded Reagan to make a 30% across-the-board tax cut a central 1980 presidential campaign feature. Once Reagan was elected, Dole was the Senate Finance Committee chairman who Kemp claims resisted the plan every step of the way. Dole concedes he expressed reservations about the 1981 plan. The big confrontation came after the tax plan was approved and after Dole subsequently proposed tax increases that he referred to as reforms. Kemp was vocal in his opposition to the reforms and even penned an op-ed piece in The New York Times, which enraged Dole. Reagan supported the reforms at Dole's request, causing Kemp to summon allies to meetings to stop the act, which eventually passed in 1982. At the 1984 Republican National Convention, Kemp, along with allies such as Gingrich and Lott, added a plank to the party platform that put President Reagan on record as ruling out tax increases. Gingrich called this action "Dole proofing" the platform, and the plank passed over Dole's opposition. Then, in 1985, Dole proposed an austere budget that barely passed in the Senate with appendectomy patient Pete Wilson casting the tying vote and Vice President Bush casting the deciding vote. In meetings with the president that excluded Dole, Kemp reworked the budget to exclude crucial Social Security cutbacks. This is said to have been Dole's most crushing political defeat and to have contributed to the Republican loss of control of the Senate. During the 1988 presidential election, the two antagonized each other. After Bush won and Kemp left Congress for the Cabinet, the two did not really cross paths again until 1996, when Kemp endorsed Dole's opponent Forbes on the eve of the New York Primary in March.{{cite web|url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=940CE4DE103CF93AA1575AC0A960958260|title= Dole, in Choosing Kemp, Buried A Bitter Past Rooted in Doctrine|access-date=March 2, 2008|date=September 29, 1996|work=The New York Times|author=Kolbert, Elizabeth}}

Dole despised Kemp's economic theories,{{cite magazine|url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,985559,00.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080408162321/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,985559,00.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=April 8, 2008|title=The Endless Campaign|access-date=March 1, 2008|magazine=Time|date=November 18, 1996|author=Trillin, Calvin}} but he felt Kemp-like tax cuts offered his best chance at electoral success.{{cite magazine|url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,985017,00.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101029230733/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,985017,00.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 29, 2010|title=A Spoonful of Sugar Helps the Medicine Go Down|access-date=March 2, 2008|magazine=Time|date=August 26, 1996|author1=Gibbs, Nancy |author2=Michael Duffy}} For his part, Kemp had to make concessions as well: he had to back expelling the children of illegal immigrants from public schools despite his longstanding opposition to Proposition 187, and mute his opposition to abolishing affirmative-action programs in California.{{cite web|url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=980CE5DB1E31F935A2575BC0A960958260|title= Kemp Gives Early Look at Strategy|access-date=March 4, 2008|date=August 16, 1996|work=The New York Times|author=Nagourney, Adam}}{{cite web|url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9B06E1DF1231F936A2575BC0A960958260|title= The Jack Kemp Reverse|access-date=March 2, 2008|date=August 15, 1996|work=The New York Times}} Some derided Kemp for his compromise and referred to him as a "con artist".{{cite web|url=https://www.usnews.com/usnews/news/articles/960909/archive_034501_4.htm |title=Lookin' Good: Ahead in the polls, Clinton and Gore try building a bridge to re-election |access-date=April 14, 2008 |date=September 1, 1996 |work=U.S. News & World Report |author1=Roberts, Steven V. |author2=Michael Barone |author3=Gloria Borger |author4=Cornelia Carter |author5=Warren Cohen |author6=Jerelyn Eddings |author7=David Fischer |author8=Linda Kulman |author9=Kenneth T. Walsh |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110524210545/http://www.usnews.com/usnews/news/articles/960909/archive_034501_4.htm |archive-date=May 24, 2011 }} From the outset of their campaign, Dole-Kemp trailed,{{cite magazine|url=http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,7103,00.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101029225850/http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,7103,00.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 29, 2010|title=On The Road Again|access-date=March 2, 2008|magazine=Time|date=August 16, 1996}} and they faced skeptics even from within the party.{{cite magazine|url=http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,7220,00.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101030002058/http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,7220,00.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 30, 2010|title=Dole Tries To Pep Up Terrified Troops|access-date=March 1, 2008|magazine=Time|date=September 11, 1996}} However, Kemp was able to use the nomination to promote his opposition to Clinton's partial birth abortion ban veto. During the campaign, Kemp and Forbes advocated for a stronger stand on tax cutting than Dole used.{{cite magazine|url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,985542,00.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080408162352/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,985542,00.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=April 8, 2008|title=The Next Act|access-date=March 1, 2008|magazine=Time|date=November 18, 1996|author=Lacayo, Richard}}{{cite web|url=https://www.usnews.com/usnews/biztech/articles/960812/archive_034385.htm |title=Bob Dole in the Carnival of Tax Cuts |access-date=April 14, 2008 |date=August 4, 1996 |work=U.S. News & World Report |author=Dentzer, Susan |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110524210600/http://www.usnews.com/usnews/biztech/articles/960812/archive_034385.htm |archive-date=May 24, 2011 |author-link=Susan Dentzer }} However, in general, the opinion was that Kemp was helpful to the ticket's chances of catching Bill Clinton,{{cite web|url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9C0DE6DB1F3EF931A2575BC0A960958260|title= Kemp Brings Sense of Relief And Hope for Ohio's G.O.P.|access-date=March 2, 2008|date=August 12, 1996|work=The New York Times|author=Winerip, Michael}}{{cite magazine|url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,985101,00.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101106183812/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,985101,00.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 6, 2010|title=Dole, Kemp and the G.O.P.|access-date=March 2, 2008|magazine=Time|date=September 9, 1996}}{{cite magazine|url=http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,7076,00.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101029225459/http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,7076,00.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 29, 2010|title=The Odd Couple|access-date=March 2, 2008|magazine=Time|date=August 12, 1996}} and Kemp's advocacy gave a clear picture of the tax reforms that would likely occur on the condition of a successful campaign.{{cite web|url=https://www.usnews.com/usnews/opinion/articles/960923/archive_034625.htm |title=What a New Crew Might Do |access-date=April 14, 2008 |date=September 15, 1996 |work=U.S. News & World Report |author=Barone, Michael |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110524210604/http://www.usnews.com/usnews/opinion/articles/960923/archive_034625.htm |archive-date=May 24, 2011 }} Kemp was seen as likely to influence several types of swing voters, especially those of his native state of California, and even the Democrats feared Kemp might lure voters.

After receiving the nomination, Kemp became the ticket's spokesman for minorities and the inner-city.{{cite web|url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9F0CE0D81E39F93AA1575BC0A960958260|title= Kemp Stumps For the Votes of Minorities|access-date=March 4, 2008|date=August 29, 1996|work=The New York Times|author=Bruni, Frank}}{{cite web|url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9D06EED7143BF934A3575AC0A960958260|title= Kemp Courts Harlem Voters With Open Arms, Little Hope|access-date=March 4, 2008|date=September 7, 1996|work=The New York Times|author=Gray, Jerry}}{{cite web|url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9A07E7DE1138F937A3575AC0A960958260|title= In Inner-City Chicago, Kemp Makes Pitch for Black Votes|access-date=March 4, 2008|date=September 4, 1996|work=The New York Times|author=Gray, Jerry}} Due to agreement on the self-help policy that Louis Farrakhan has endorsed in many fora including the Million Man March, Kemp in a sense aligned himself with Farrakhan.{{cite web|url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9906E4DA1631F936A25753C1A960958260|title= Kemp and Farrakhan|access-date=March 4, 2008|date=October 15, 1996|work=The New York Times|author=Rosenthal, A. M.}}{{cite web|url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9C00E3DE1E3BF932A2575AC0A960958260|title= Kemp Lines Up Solidly Behind Netanyahu|access-date=March 4, 2008|date=September 11, 1996|work=The New York Times|author=Gray, Jerry}} However, Farrakhan was perceived as being anti-Semitic, and Kemp was considered an ally of Republican Jews.{{cite web|url=http://www.jewishsf.com/content/2-0-/module/displaystory/story_id/4287/edition_id/77/format/html/displaystory.html|title=Can GOP ticket overcome rightist platform? Kemp seen as ally on Jewish causes|access-date=April 1, 2008|date=August 16, 1996|publisher=San Francisco Jewish Community Publications Inc.|author=Dorf, Matthew|work=J. the Jewish news weekly of Northern California|archive-date=March 20, 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060320041033/http://www.jewishsf.com/content/2-0-/module/displaystory/story_id/4287/edition_id/77/format/html/displaystory.html|url-status=live}} This issue necessitated some political sidestepping. As the nominee, Kemp at times overshadowed Dole.{{cite web|url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9406E0DF1430F93AA2575BC0A960958260|title= Kemp Attacks Clinton's Abortion Veto|access-date=March 4, 2008|date=August 19, 1996|work=The New York Times|author=Nagourney, Adam}} In fact, more than once, Kemp was described as if he was the presidential nominee.{{cite web|url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9C04E6DB1031F93BA25753C1A960958260|title= Gore, Kemp and No Politics for Dinner|access-date=March 4, 2008|date=October 18, 1996|work=The New York Times|author=Firestone, David}} In addition to having overshadowed Dole, despite the negative ad campaigns that the ticket used, Kemp was a very positive running mate who relied on a pep rally type of campaign tour full of football-related metaphors and hyperbole.{{cite web|url=https://www.usnews.com/usnews/opinion/articles/961014/archive_034747.htm |title=On the Good Shepherd's Trail |access-date=April 14, 2008 |date=October 6, 1996 |work=U.S. News & World Report |author=Borger, Gloria |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110524210624/http://www.usnews.com/usnews/opinion/articles/961014/archive_034747.htm |archive-date=May 24, 2011 }} Although some enjoyed Kemp's style, referring to him as the Good Shepherd, his detractors, such as U.S. News & World Report writer Steven V. Roberts, criticized the extensive use of recounting stories of passing balls relative to the use of recounting stories of passing bills.{{cite web|url=https://www.usnews.com/usnews/culture/articles/960902/archive_034458.htm |title=Training an Ear to the Sounds of Silence |access-date=April 14, 2008 |date=August 25, 1996 |work=U.S. News & World Report |author=Roberts, Steven V. |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110524210634/http://www.usnews.com/usnews/culture/articles/960902/archive_034458.htm |archive-date=May 24, 2011 }} During the campaign, Kemp expressed the opinion that Republican Party leaders did not stand behind the ticket wholeheartedly.{{cite web|url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9807E0DE1F30F935A15753C1A960958260|title= Kemp Hits Back at Republicans Who Despair|access-date=March 8, 2008|date=October 26, 1996|work=The New York Times|author=Gray, Jerry}} Despite Kemp's voice on minority issues, Colin Powell's support and polls that showed about 30% of blacks identified themselves as conservatives on issues such as school prayer, school vouchers and criminal justice, the Republicans were unable to improve upon historical support levels from African-American voters.{{cite web|url=https://www.usnews.com/usnews/news/articles/961104/archive_034891.htm |title=Voices from the Gallery: Fearful and eager, voters are talking up a storm of worries and wishes |access-date=April 14, 2008 |date=October 27, 1996 |work=U.S. News & World Report |author1=Eddings, Jerelyn |author2=Jeannye Thornton |author3=Dorian Friedman |author4=Josh Chetwynd |author5=Kevin Whitelaw |author6=Victoria Pope |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110524210653/http://www.usnews.com/usnews/news/articles/961104/archive_034891.htm |archive-date=May 24, 2011 }}

Both Al Gore and Kemp had presidential aspirations, which induced pursuit of debate on a higher plane.{{cite web|url=https://www.usnews.com/usnews/politics/whispers/articles/961014/archive_034720.htm |title=Clintonomics: Going Once, Going Twice; Tough Talks; Last-Minute Squeals; Eyes on the Prize?; Body Fake? |access-date=April 14, 2008 |date=October 6, 1996 |work=U.S. News & World Report |author1=Stanglin, Douglas |author2=Bruce B. Auster |author3=Tim Zimmermann |author4=David Makovsky |author5=Paul Glastris |author6=Kenneth T. Walsh |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110524210742/http://www.usnews.com/usnews/politics/whispers/articles/961014/archive_034720.htm |archive-date=May 24, 2011 }} In addition, Gore and Kemp were long-time friends, unlike Gore and his previous vice presidential opponent Dan Quayle. Thus, as debaters they avoided personal attacks.{{cite web|url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9905E3DD143EF93AA35753C1A960958260|title= Gore and Kemp Practice Jabs for Tonight's Encounter|access-date=March 4, 2008|date=October 9, 1996|work=The New York Times|author=Gray, Jerry}} However, some felt Kemp failed to counter substantive attacks.{{cite web|url=https://www.usnews.com/usnews/news/articles/961021/archive_034781.htm |title=Should Dole Swing Away?: Allies urge him to hammer Clinton, but Dole hates the idea and isn't very good at it, anyway |access-date=April 14, 2008 |date=October 27, 1996 |work=U.S. News & World Report |author1=Borger, Gloria |author2=David Fischer |author3=Linda Kulman |author4=Kenneth T. Walsh |author5=Jason Vest |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110524210757/http://www.usnews.com/usnews/news/articles/961021/archive_034781.htm |archive-date=May 24, 2011 }} In the final October 9, 1996, vice presidential debate against Al Gore (held as the Dole–Kemp ticket trailed badly in the national polls), Kemp was soundly beaten,{{cite magazine|url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,985370,00.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090815050220/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,985370,00.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=August 15, 2009|title=A Case of Mud Lust|access-date=March 1, 2008|magazine=Time|date=October 28, 1996|author=Carlson, Margaret}}{{cite magazine|url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,985331,00.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090818055840/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,985331,00.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=August 18, 2009|title=From Savior to Scapegoat|access-date=March 1, 2008|magazine=Time|date=October 21, 1996|author=Goodgame, Dan}} and Al Gore's performance is considered one of the best modern debate performances.{{cite web|url=http://www.newsweek.com/id/71708|title=President of the Debate Team|access-date=April 13, 2008|date=November 23, 2007|work=Newsweek|archive-date=December 14, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071214042133/http://www.newsweek.com/id/71708|url-status=live}} The debate topics ranged broadly from the usual such as abortion and foreign policy to the unusual such as an incident preceding the then-current baseball playoffs, in which Roberto Alomar, the Baltimore Orioles' second baseman, cursed and spat on an umpire.{{cite web|url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9C00E5DF123EF933A25753C1A960958260|title= Economy Dominates Kemp-Gore Debate|access-date=March 2, 2008|date=October 10, 1996|work=The New York Times|author=Clines, Francis X.}}{{cite web|url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9806E4D9133EF933A25753C1A960958260|title= Excerpts From Debate Between Vice President Gore and Jack Kemp|access-date=March 2, 2008|date=October 10, 1996|work=The New York Times}} The Mexico policy debate was one of the more interesting topics for critical review.{{cite web|url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9D05E6D8133EF932A25753C1A960958260|title= Both Kemp and Gore Erred in Debate Over Policy on Mexico|access-date=March 4, 2008|date=October 11, 1996|work=The New York Times|author=DePalma, Anthony}} The Gore victory was not a surprise since Kemp had been outmatched by Gore in previous encounters,{{cite magazine|url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,985175,00.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081201162649/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,985175,00.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=December 1, 2008|title=Campaign 2000|access-date=March 1, 2008|magazine=Time|date=September 23, 1996|author=Kramer, Michael}} and Gore had a reputation as an experienced and vaunted debater.{{cite web|url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9400E0DA1331F934A1575BC0A9669C8B63|title= The Nation; Surprise! Debates May Matter. And Help Bush|access-date=March 15, 2008|date=August 27, 2000|work=The New York Times|author=Berke, Richard L.}}

File:Turner Kemp English Myrick.jpg, Phil English and Mike Turner (c. May 2004)]]

In 1993, Kemp, Bennett, Kirkpatrick and financial backer Theodore Forstmann co-founded the free market advocacy group Empower America,{{cite web|url=http://www.kemppartners.com/principals-jk1.htm|title=Jack Kemp|access-date=February 24, 2008|publisher=kemppartners.com|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080513021808/http://www.kemppartners.com/principals-jk1.htm|archive-date=May 13, 2008|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9B04E3D91538F932A3575AC0A960958260|title= Influential Group Brought into Campaign by Kemp|access-date=March 4, 2008|date=September 1, 1996|work=The New York Times|author=Frantz, Douglas}} which later merged with Citizens for a Sound Economy to form Freedom Works. Empower America represented the populist wing of the party: while avoiding divisive issues such as abortion and gay rights, it promoted free markets and growth over balancing the budget and cutting the deficit.{{cite web|url=https://www.usnews.com/usnews/news/articles/930201/archive_014587.htm |title=The Republican Wilderness: They still like their message. They just want Reagan II |access-date=April 14, 2008 |date=January 24, 1993 |work=U.S. News & World Report |author=Borger, Gloria |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110524211339/http://www.usnews.com/usnews/news/articles/930201/archive_014587.htm |archive-date=May 24, 2011 }}{{cite web|url=https://www.usnews.com/usnews/news/articles/930125/archive_016395.htm |title=Good Help Is Hard to Find; No Rest for the Weary |access-date=April 14, 2008 |date=January 17, 1993 |work=U.S. News & World Report |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110524211349/http://www.usnews.com/usnews/news/articles/930125/archive_016395.htm |archive-date=May 24, 2011 }} He resigned as co-chairman of Freedom Works in March 2005 after the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) questioned his ties to Samir Vincent, a Northern Virginia oil trader implicated in the U.N. Oil-for-food scandal who pleaded guilty to four criminal charges, including illegally acting as an unregistered lobbyist of the Iraqi government of Saddam Hussein.{{cite web|url=http://www.newsweek.com/id/49706|title=Oil-For-Food: How Much Did Boutros-Ghali Hear?|access-date=February 24, 2008|date=April 25, 2005|author1=Hesnball, Mark |author2=Isikoff, Michael |website=Newsweek}} Testimony about Kemp became prominent in the trial.{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/09/20/world/middleeast/20wyatt.html|title=Of Many Characters Mentioned at Oil-for-Food Trial, the Most Prominent Is Dead|access-date=March 1, 2008|date=September 20, 2007|work=The New York Times|author=Feuer, Alan|archive-date=April 25, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090425042521/http://www.nytimes.com/2007/09/20/world/middleeast/20wyatt.html|url-status=live}} FBI informant Richard Fino tied Kemp to James Cosentino just weeks before the 1996 election.{{cite magazine|url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,985247,00.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101106185204/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,985247,00.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 6, 2010|title=Singing Another Tune|access-date=March 1, 2008|magazine=Time|date=September 30, 1996|author=Novak, Viveca}}

By 1996, Kemp had been named a director of six corporate boards. He was a director for Hawk Corporation, IDT Corporation, CNL Hotels and Resorts, InPhonic, Cyrix Corporation and American Bankers Insurance Group.{{cite web|url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0EIN/is_2005_Dec_14/ai_n15934840 |title=Six Flags Ends Sale Process; Appoints Mark Shapiro CEO; Jack Kemp, Harvey Weinstein and Michael Kassan Join Board |access-date=February 24, 2008 |publisher=CNET Networks, Inc. |work=Business Wire |date=December 14, 2005 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120322055209/http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0EIN/is_2005_Dec_14/ai_n15934840/ |archive-date=March 22, 2012 }}{{cite web|url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9901E6DC1F31F93BA2575BC0A960958260|title= Jack Kemp: A Director With No Shares|access-date=March 8, 2008|date=August 18, 1996|work=The New York Times|author=Norris, Floyd}} Kemp briefly served on the board of Oracle Corporation, whose CEO was his friend Larry Ellison,{{cite magazine|url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,986314,00.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101027113155/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,986314,00.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 27, 2010|title=The Prince of San Mateo|access-date=March 1, 2008|magazine=Time|date=May 12, 1997|author1=Ramo, Joshua Cooper |author2=Jackson, David S. }} in 1996, but resigned when he ran for vice president; he was named to the board of Six Flags, Inc. in December 2005.{{cite web|url=http://buffalo.bizjournals.com/buffalo/stories/2005/12/12/daily23.html|title=Six Flags no longer for sale; Kemp a director|access-date=March 4, 2008|date=December 14, 2005|publisher=American City Business Journals, Inc.|work=Buffalo BusinessFirst|archive-date=July 16, 2012|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120716202849/http://buffalo.bizjournals.com/buffalo/stories/2005/12/12/daily23.html|url-status=live}} Kemp opted not to stand for re-election to IDT's board in 2006.{{cite web|url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9C07E5D9103FF936A35752C1A9609C8B63|title=Openers: Suits; Culling the Board|access-date=March 1, 2008|date=November 5, 2006|work=The New York Times|author=Siklos, Richard|archive-date=November 22, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091122093053/http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9C07E5D9103FF936A35752C1A9609C8B63|url-status=live}} He also served on the Habitat for Humanity board of directors, and served on the board of Atlanta-based software maker EzGov Inc.{{cite web|url=https://www.usnews.com/usnews/biztech/articles/010226/archive_005017_2.htm |title=A Killer App for Bureaucrats: It's called E-government, and it works. Is your city hall wired yet? |access-date=April 13, 2008 |date=February 18, 2001 |work=U.S. News & World Report |author=Sherrid, Pamela |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091005021253/http://www.usnews.com/usnews/biztech/articles/010226/archive_005017_2.htm |archive-date=October 5, 2009 }} Kemp also served on the board of directors of Election.com,{{cite web|url=http://www.accessmylibrary.com/coms2/summary_0286-10586303_ITM |title=Jack Kemp Joins election.com Board of Directors; Former US Cabinet Secretary and Republican Party Vice Presidential Nominee Joins election.com Board. |access-date=May 17, 2009 |date=January 30, 2001 |publisher=Business Wire |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121018051039/http://www.accessmylibrary.com/coms2/summary_0286-10586303_ITM |archive-date=October 18, 2012 }} which was the private company that ran the world's first election on the internet (won by Al Gore), the 2000 Arizona Democratic Primary. Kemp was also a business partner with Edra and Tim Blixseth promoting membership in the elite private ski and golf Yellowstone Club. Kemp also partnered with the Blixseths in a failed anti-terrorism software venture called Blxware which was investigated for "conning" the federal government out of $20 million in contracts for software which fraudulently claimed to detect secret messages from Al-Qaeda in television broadcast signals.[https://www.smh.com.au/technology/security/geek-cons-us-out-of-20m-with-bogus-software-to-stop-alqaeda-20110222-1b2x2.html Geek cons US out of $20M with bogus software to stop Alqaeda] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121108051346/http://www.smh.com.au/technology/security/geek-cons-us-out-of-20m-with-bogus-software-to-stop-alqaeda-20110222-1b2x2.html |date=November 8, 2012 }}, Sydney Morning Herald, February 22, 2011. Kemp was the founder and chairman of Kemp Partners, a strategic consulting firm that helps clients achieve both business and public policy goals.

In addition to corporate boards of directors, Kemp served on several advisory boards such as the UCLA School of Public Policy Advisory Board, and the Toyota Diversity Advisory Board as well as the Howard University Board of Trustees, on which he served since 1993.{{cite web|url=http://www.howard.edu/secretary/BOTBios.htm|title= Trustees' Biographies|access-date=April 3, 2008|publisher=Howard University |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080330052909/http://www.howard.edu/secretary/BOTBios.htm |archive-date = March 30, 2008}} On March 25, 2003, Kemp was selected as chairman of the board of Directors of USA Football, a national advocacy group for amateur football created by the National Football League (NFL) and the NFL Players Association. The organization supports Pop Warner, American Youth Football, Boys and Girls Clubs of America, National Recreation and Park Association, Police Athletic League, YMCA, and the Amateur Athletic Union. He was also vice president of NFL Charities.

File:20070917 Jack Kemp, Adrian Fenty and Eleanor Holmes Norton.jpg, and Eleanor Holmes Norton at DC Vote rally on Capitol Hill]]

In the late 1990s, Kemp remained outspoken on political issues: he was critical of Clinton's International Monetary Fund lax policies toward South Korea.{{cite web|url=https://www.usnews.com/usnews/biztech/articles/980112/archive_002964.htm |title=The Year of The IMF: As Seoul struggles with reforms, Capitol Hill takes aim |access-date=April 13, 2008 |date=January 4, 1998 |work=U.S. News & World Report |author1=Butler, Steven |author2=Thomas Omestad |author3=Kenneth T. Walsh |author4=Jack Egan |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110524210955/http://www.usnews.com/usnews/biztech/articles/980112/archive_002964.htm |archive-date=May 24, 2011 }} In early 1998, he was a serious contender for the 2000 United States presidential election, but his campaign possibilities faltered,{{cite web|url=https://www.usnews.com/usnews/news/articles/980316/archive_003449.htm |title=Hurry! Only 974 Days Left to Campaign: Why the presidential race has begun so early |access-date=April 13, 2008 |date=March 8, 1998 |work=U.S. News & World Report |author=Brownstein, Ronald |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081017051730/http://www.usnews.com/usnews/news/articles/980316/archive_003449.htm |archive-date=October 17, 2008 }} and he instead endorsed eventual winner George W. Bush. Kemp continued his political advocacy for reform of taxation, Social Security and education. When a 1997 budget surplus was earmarked for debt repayment, Kemp opposed the plan in favor of tax cuts.{{cite web|url=https://www.usnews.com/usnews/culture/articles/970811/archive_007642.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110524211037/http://www.usnews.com/usnews/culture/articles/970811/archive_007642.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=May 24, 2011 |title=A Quixotic Drive to Pay Back the National Debt: The deficit fades, a new political fad arrives |access-date=April 14, 2008 |date=August 3, 1997 |work=U.S. News & World Report |author=Jenkins Jr., Kent }} Along with John Ashcroft and Alan Krueger, he endorsed reform of payroll taxes to eliminate double taxation.{{cite web|url=https://www.usnews.com/usnews/news/articles/970804/archive_007561.htm |title=A Tax None Will Touch: Why politicians in Washington still protect the tax that economists call job-killing, deceptive, and unfair |access-date=April 14, 2008 |date=July 27, 1997 |work=U.S. News & World Report |author=Miller, Matthew |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110524211136/http://www.usnews.com/usnews/news/articles/970804/archive_007561.htm |archive-date=May 24, 2011 }} In addition to his fiscal and economic policies, Kemp advocated against abortion when Congress was considering a bill banning intact dilation and extractions.{{cite magazine|url=http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,7777,00.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081222165549/http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,7777,00.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=December 22, 2008|title=Round Two|access-date=March 1, 2008|magazine=Time|date=May 5, 1997|author=Provost, Taran}} He also advocated for retired NFL veterans on issues such as cardiovascular screening, assisted living, disability benefits, and the 2007 joint replacement program.{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/11/sports/football/11joints.html|title=Rehab Plan Announced for N.F.L.'s Ex-Players|access-date=March 1, 2008|date=December 11, 2007|work=The New York Times|author=Litsky, Frank|archive-date=December 9, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081209064712/http://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/11/sports/football/11joints.html|url-status=live}} He argued in support of reforming immigration laws.{{cite web|url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9B0CE7DB113BF935A25756C0A9669C8B63|title= Coalition Urges Easing of Immigration Laws|access-date=March 8, 2008|date=May 16, 2000|work=The New York Times|author=Greenhouse, Steven}} In the late 1990s, Kemp also was a vocal advocate for free market reform in Africa, arguing that the continent had great economic growth potential if it could shed autocratic and statist governmental policies.{{Cite web|url=https://adti.net/|archive-url=https://archive.today/20110615153459/http://www.adti.net/new_zuberi_uploaded/AFRICA/AFRK_PYN.HTM|url-status=usurped|title=Adti – Fast, Quality & Trust.|website=Adti|access-date=April 26, 2020|archive-date=June 15, 2011}}

In 1997, when Gingrich was embroiled in a House ethics controversy, Kemp served as an intermediary between Dole and Gingrich to save the Republican Party leader.{{cite web|url=https://www.usnews.com/usnews/culture/articles/970428/archive_006795.htm |title=Dole: Still in the Game |access-date=April 14, 2008 |date=February 18, 2001 |work=U.S. News & World Report |author=Berger, Gloria |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110524211200/http://www.usnews.com/usnews/culture/articles/970428/archive_006795.htm |archive-date=May 24, 2011 }} Later, in 2002, when Lott made caustic remarks about Strom Thurmond, Kemp was upset, and he supported Lott's apology, saying he had encouraged him to "repudiate segregation in every manifestation."{{cite web|url=https://www.usnews.com/usnews/news/articles/021223/23pol.htm |title=A bad good ol' boy |access-date=April 13, 2008 |date=December 15, 2002 |work=U.S. News & World Report |author=Borger, Gloria |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110524211204/http://www.usnews.com/usnews/news/articles/021223/23pol.htm |archive-date=May 24, 2011 }} Kemp was among the prominent leaders who pledged to raise money in 2005 for Scooter Libby's defense when he was charged with perjury and obstruction of justice in a case regarding the release of Central Intelligence Agency information.{{cite web|url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9B07EEDC1E3EF93AA25752C1A9639C8B63|title=Top Names Aid Fund for Libby|access-date=March 2, 2008|date=November 19, 2005|work=The New York Times|author=Lichtblau, Eric|archive-date=October 24, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121024200850/http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9B07EEDC1E3EF93AA25752C1A9639C8B63|url-status=live}}

In June 2004, Kemp rescinded his support of Vernon Robinson for Congress due to the latter's views on immigration laws, citing Robinson's choice to run "as a Pat Buchanan Republican".{{cite news|url=https://www.upi.com/Top_News/2004/06/25/Kemp-switches-endorsement-over-immigration/19061088195057/|title=Kemp switches endorsement over immigration|date=June 25, 2004|publisher=UPI|access-date=October 5, 2017|archive-date=October 6, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171006012419/https://www.upi.com/Top_News/2004/06/25/Kemp-switches-endorsement-over-immigration/19061088195057/|url-status=live}}{{cite news |title=Black Conservative Tops North Carolina Primary |volume=60 |last=Gizzi |first=John |work=Human Events |issue=25 |date=July 26, 2004 |page=6}}

In 2006 Kemp, along with 2004 vice-presidential nominee John Edwards, co-chaired the Council on Foreign Relations task force on Russia,{{cite web|url=http://www.newsweek.com/id/47378|title=Candidates: Crisscrossing Paths|access-date=March 18, 2008|date=January 9, 2006|author=Darman, Jonathan|work=Newsweek}} producing a document called "Russia's Wrong Direction: What the United States Can and Should Do".{{cite web|url=http://www.cfr.org/content/publications/attachments/Russia_TaskForce.pdf|title=Russia's Wrong Direction: What The United States Can And Should Do|access-date=March 3, 2008|year=2006|publisher=Council on Foreign Relations, Inc.|author1=Edwards, John|author2=Kemp, Jack|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080306111454/http://www.cfr.org/content/publications/attachments/Russia_TaskForce.pdf|archive-date=March 6, 2008|url-status=dead}} After their task force roles ended, the pair advocated solutions to poverty in America at various fora.{{cite web|url=http://www.newsweek.com/id/47378|title=Candidates: Crisscrossing Paths|access-date=April 13, 2008|date=January 9, 2006|work=Newsweek|author=Darman, Johnathan}}

File:20080222 Sen. Barack Obama and Jack Kemp at the Public Internet Channel Launch.jpg Barack Obama at the Public Internet Channel launch at the National Press Club in 2006.]]

On January 6, 2008, Kemp endorsed McCain in the 2008 Republican presidential primaries shortly before the New Hampshire primary, which surprised conservative Republican tax cutters.{{cite web|url=http://www.washingtontimes.com/article/20080110/COMMENTARY05/263214170/1012/COMMENTARY|title=Tax cutter cuts a choice|access-date=February 24, 2008|date=January 10, 2008|publisher=The Washington Times, LLC.}} However, as McCain neared the official nomination, the press associated McCain with Kemp more and more.{{cite web|url=http://www.blog.newsweek.com/blogs/stumper/archive/2008/04/03/expertinent-the-authenticity-election.aspx |title=Expertinent: The 'Authenticity' Election |access-date=April 13, 2008 |date=April 3, 2008 |work=Newsweek |author=Romano, Andrew |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080407023635/http://www.blog.newsweek.com/blogs/stumper/archive/2008/04/03/expertinent-the-authenticity-election.aspx |archive-date=April 7, 2008 }} Kemp prepared an open letter to Sean Hannity, Rush Limbaugh, Laura Ingraham and other conservative talk show hosts on McCain's behalf to quell their dissatisfactions.{{cite web|url=http://www.newsweek.com/id/109584|title=The Editor's Desk|access-date=April 13, 2008|date=February 18, 2008|work=Newsweek|author=Meacham, Jon|archive-date=April 18, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080418044457/http://www.newsweek.com/id/109584|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://www.blog.newsweek.com/blogs/pr/archive/2008/02/10/cover-there-will-be-blood-why-the-right-hates-mccain.aspx|title=McCain's Lead Ignites War of Words Between Pundits, Creating Apparent Rift Among Conservatives|access-date=April 13, 2008|date=February 10, 2008|work=Newsweek|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080531170912/http://blog.newsweek.com/blogs/pr/archive/2008/02/10/cover-there-will-be-blood-why-the-right-hates-mccain.aspx |archive-date = May 31, 2008}} In addition, Kemp and Phil Gramm advised McCain on economic policy.{{cite web|url=https://www.usnews.com/usnews/politics/bulletin/bulletin_080208.htm |title=Campaign News |access-date=April 13, 2008 |date=February 8, 2008 |work=U.S. News & World Report |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080402081635/http://www.usnews.com/usnews/politics/bulletin/bulletin_080208.htm |archive-date=April 2, 2008 }}

He was a syndicated newspaper columnist.{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/theguardian/2009/may/04/jack-kemp-obituary|title=Obituary: Jack Kemp|first=Michael|last=Carlson|newspaper=The Guardian |date=May 3, 2009|via=www.theguardian.com}}

In February 2008, Kemp was associated with a group called "Defense of Democracies" that was advocating an electronic surveillance bill that failed in the House of Representatives. The group's television ad caused such controversy that some of its advisors, including Schumer and Donna Brazile, resigned.{{cite web|url=http://www.newsweek.com/id/117053|title=Fear and False Claims|access-date=April 13, 2008|date=February 28, 2008|work=Newsweek|author=Novak, Viveca|archive-date=July 1, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080701035439/http://www.newsweek.com/id/117053|url-status=live}}

He was a member of the advisory council of the Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation{{cite web|url=http://www.victimsofcommunism.org/about/nationaladvisors.php |title=National Advisory Council |publisher=Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110610171740/http://www.victimsofcommunism.org/about/nationaladvisors.php |archive-date=June 10, 2011 |access-date=May 20, 2011 |url-status=dead }} and served as co-chair of the Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Commission Cabinet.{{cite web| url=http://www.abrahamlincoln200.org/press-room/press-releases/co-chair-alb-cabinet-5-2-2007.aspx| work=Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Commission| title=Co-Chair Lincoln Bicentennial Cabinet| access-date=May 2, 2007| url-status=dead| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100705022945/http://www.abrahamlincoln200.org/press-room/press-releases/co-chair-alb-cabinet-5-2-2007.aspx| archive-date=July 5, 2010| df=mdy-all}}

He was a board member for the Lott IMPACT Trophy, which is awarded annually to college football's Defensive IMPACT Player of the Year.{{cite web|url=http://www.lottimpacttrophy.com/news/article/impact-foundation-mourns-the-passing-of-jack-kemp |title=IMPACT Foundation Mourns The Passing of Jack Kemp |date=May 3, 2009 |access-date=December 19, 2011 |publisher=LottImpactTrophy.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120527051526/http://www.lottimpacttrophy.com/news/article/impact-foundation-mourns-the-passing-of-jack-kemp |archive-date=May 27, 2012 }}

File:JackKempCropped.jpg

On January 7, 2009, Kemp's office issued a statement announcing that he had cancer; the type of cancer and the anticipated treatment were not announced. His diagnosis and prognosis were never publicly disclosed. He continued to serve as chairman of his Washington-based Kemp Partners consulting firm and continued his involvement in charitable and political work until his death.{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/news/story?id=3816624|title=Former Buffalo Bills Quarterback Jack Kemp Battling Cancer|publisher=ESPN Internet Ventures|work=ESPN.com|access-date=January 8, 2009|date=January 7, 2009|archive-date=January 11, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120111110746/http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=3816624|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/28541396/ |title=Jack Kemp Battles Cancer |publisher=Microsoft |work=MSNBC |access-date=January 8, 2009 |date=January 8, 2009 }}{{dead link|date=August 2024|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}

On May 2, 2009, Kemp died from cancer at his home in Bethesda, Maryland, at the age of 73.{{cite news|url = https://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/03/us/03kemp.html|title = Jack Kemp, Star on Field and in Politics, Dies at 73|work = The New York Times|date = May 2, 2009|accessdate = December 15, 2021|last = Clymer|first = Adam|url-access = subscription|archive-date = May 28, 2022|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220528143034/https://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/03/us/03kemp.html|url-status = live}} President Barack Obama praised Kemp's work on race, adding that Kemp understood that divisions involving race and class stood in the way of the country's common goals, and former President George W. Bush said that Kemp "will be remembered for his significant contributions to the Reagan Revolution and his steadfast dedication to conservative principles during his long and distinguished career in public service."{{cite news|url = https://www.espn.com/nfl/news/story?id=4129119|title = Jack Kemp dies after lengthy illness|work = ESPNews|date = May 2, 2009|accessdate = December 15, 2021|archive-date = December 15, 2021|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20211215212005/https://www.espn.com/nfl/news/story?id=4129119|url-status = live}} It was later revealed that Kemp probably had melanoma.{{cite web | url=https://rollcall.com/2009/05/04/former-n-y-rep-kemp-loses-battle-with-cancer/ | title=Former N.Y. Rep. Kemp Loses Battle with Cancer | date=May 4, 2009 | access-date=June 27, 2022 | archive-date=June 27, 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220627234812/https://rollcall.com/2009/05/04/former-n-y-rep-kemp-loses-battle-with-cancer/ | url-status=live }}

File:20080222 Jack Kemp at Public Internet Channel at the National Press Club.jpg in 2006.]]

Kemp's legacy includes the Kemp–Roth Tax Cut of the 1980s, also known as the first of two "Reagan tax cuts." These served as the foundation of supply-side economics, known as Reaganomics. Many Republicans have endorsed this Laffer Curve view that tax cuts can spur economic growth and reduce deficits. Although George H. W. Bush called this philosophy voodoo economics, George W. Bush and his Treasury Secretary, John W. Snow, were believers.{{cite web|url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9504E6D7163EF93BA25756C0A9659C8B63|title= Economic View; Name That Tune About Tax Cuts|access-date=March 17, 2008|date=May 18, 2003|work=The New York Times|author=Rosenbaum, David E.}} Kemp is also remembered alongside George Wallace and William Jennings Bryan for influencing history by changing the direction of presidential elections despite their defeats.{{cite web|url=https://www.theatlantic.com/issues/97nov/gephardt.htm|title=A Democrat Who Admits It|access-date=April 15, 2008|date=November 1997|author=Fallows, James|publisher=The Atlantic.com|work=Atlantic Monthly|archive-date=May 14, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080514233205/http://www.theatlantic.com/issues/97nov/gephardt.htm|url-status=live}}

In the early 21st century, Kemp continued to be considered along with Reagan as the politician most responsible for the implementation of supply-side tax cuts and along with Steve Forbes as the political figure most responsible for their continued place in the marketplace of political ideas.{{cite web|url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9407E5D71E3EF933A25757C0A9679C8B63|title= Back in Business; Supply-Side Economists Regain Influence Under Bush|access-date=March 15, 2008|date=April 10, 2001|work=The New York Times|author=Leonhardt, David}} He has been described as a beacon of economic conservatism and a hero for his urban agenda.{{cite web|url=https://www.usnews.com/usnews/politics/whispers/articles/950213/archive_011365.htm |title=Jack Kemp; Henry Foster Jr.; Eileen Collins; Donald Pleasence; Alexander the Great |access-date=April 14, 2008 |date=February 5, 1995 |work=U.S. News & World Report |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110524210141/http://www.usnews.com/usnews/politics/whispers/articles/950213/archive_011365.htm |archive-date=May 24, 2011 }}{{cite web|url=http://www.newsweek.com/id/125863|title=The Great Scott Syndrome: Were Our Leaders Really Dumbstruck By The Existence Of A Crisis In Our Cities? C'mon|access-date=April 15, 2008|date=May 25, 1992|work=Newsweek}} Today, he continues to be described as a hero to fiscal conservatives who believe that free markets and low taxes work better than government bureaucracies.{{cite web|url=https://www.usnews.com/usnews/news/articles/961209/archive_035121.htm |title=Divided Against Itself: The Republican Party: Can its five factions ever find happiness again? |access-date=April 14, 2008 |date=December 1, 1996 |work=U.S. News & World Report |author=Barone, Michael |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110524205906/http://www.usnews.com/usnews/news/articles/961209/archive_035121.htm |archive-date=May 24, 2011 }}{{cite web|url=http://www.newsweek.com/id/109695|title=So Much for a Warm Welcome|access-date=April 13, 2008|date=February 18, 2008|work=Newsweek|author1=Conant, Eve|author2=Holly Bailey|author3=Michael Hirsh|archive-date=April 1, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080401112858/http://www.newsweek.com/id/109695|url-status=live}} Kemp was considered the leader of the progressive conservatives who are socially conservative, but avoid protectionist fiscal and trade policy.{{cite magazine|url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,977006-2,00.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121023035127/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,977006-2,00.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 23, 2012|title=Divided They Fall (page 2)|access-date=March 4, 2008|magazine=Time|date=November 16, 1992|author=Duffy, Michael}}

In addition to Roth, he has had numerous political allies. At times, he collaborated with Gingrich and Lott on deregulation and tax cuts,{{cite magazine|url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,998544,00.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101122102252/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,998544,00.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 22, 2010|title=The Prickly Pragmatist|access-date=March 1, 2008|magazine=Time|date=November 20, 2000|author=Goldstein, Andrew}} collaborated with McCain and Phil Gramm on tax cuts and spending restraints,{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/26/us/politics/26mccain.html|title=McCain's Fiscal Mantra Becomes Less Is More|access-date=March 1, 2008|date=January 26, 2008|work=The New York Times|author=Leonhardt, David|archive-date=December 9, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081209063730/http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/26/us/politics/26mccain.html|url-status=live}} legislated with and campaigned for Joseph Lieberman,{{cite web|url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9401E7D8113EF933A0575BC0A9609C8B63|title=Lieberman Gains G.O.P. Ally But Loses a Democratic One|access-date=March 2, 2008|date=August 30, 2006|work=The New York Times|author=Medina, Jennifer|archive-date=October 24, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121024193108/http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9401E7D8113EF933A0575BC0A9609C8B63|url-status=live}} and fought poverty with James Pinkerton. Pete du Pont was a progressive conservative ally. After retiring from Congress and serving in the Cabinet, Kemp remained close to Gingrich, Lott, Weber, and Mack.{{cite web|url=https://www.usnews.com/usnews/opinion/articles/950130/archive_011450.htm |title=The Repository of Reagan Optimism |access-date=April 14, 2008 |date=January 22, 1995 |work=U.S. News & World Report |author=Borger, Gloria |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110524210217/http://www.usnews.com/usnews/opinion/articles/950130/archive_011450.htm |archive-date=May 24, 2011 }}{{cite web|url=https://www.usnews.com/usnews/opinion/articles/951113/archive_033361.htm |title=Powell and the 900-Pound Guerrilla |access-date=April 14, 2008 |date=November 5, 1995 |work=U.S. News & World Report |author=Borger, Gloria |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110524210123/http://www.usnews.com/usnews/opinion/articles/951113/archive_033361.htm |archive-date=May 24, 2011 }} Kemp was a member of the federal committee to promote Martin Luther King Jr. Day as a national holiday. As a progressive voter, he had civil rights leaders such as Benjamin Hooks, Andrew Young and Coretta Scott King and conservative black intellectuals like Glenn C. Loury and Robert L. Woodson as supporters and friends. He boasted of having Democratic friends such as William H. Gray III, Charles B. Rangel and Robert Garcia. Ken Blackwell was a Deputy Secretary under Kemp.{{cite magazine|url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,984995,00.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101029230059/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,984995,00.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 29, 2010|title=Rising Republicans|access-date=March 2, 2008|magazine=Time|date=August 19, 1996}} During the Reagan presidency, when Kemp was able to effect tax cutting, a leading United States Senate tax-cutting proponent was Democrat Bill Bradley, a former basketball star.{{cite magazine|url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,955349,00.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101029152535/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,955349,00.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 29, 2010|title=Comparing Tax Wish Lists|access-date=March 20, 2008|magazine=Time|date=December 10, 1984}} Several American football players have followed Kemp to Congress, including Steve Largent,{{cite web|url=http://www.odl.state.ok.us/usinfo/congress/107cong/largent107.htm |title=Largent, Steve |publisher=Oklahoma Department of Libraries |access-date=April 27, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070208044422/http://www.odl.state.ok.us/usinfo/congress/107cong/largent107.htm |archive-date=February 8, 2007 }} J. C. Watts,{{cite web|url=http://www.odl.state.ok.us/usinfo/congress/107cong/watts107.htm |title=Watts, J.C. |publisher=Oklahoma Department of Libraries |access-date=April 27, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080214142126/http://www.odl.state.ok.us/usinfo/congress/107cong/watts107.htm |archive-date=February 14, 2008 }} and Heath Shuler.{{cite web|url=http://www.congress.org/bio/id/152545 |title=Rep. Heath Shuler (D-NC 11th) |access-date=April 27, 2008 |publisher=Capitol Advantage LLC. |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080517124634/http://www.congress.org/bio/id/152545 |archive-date=May 17, 2008 }}

Congressman Paul Ryan cites Kemp as a mentor, and mentioned him in his acceptance speech as the Republican vice-presidential nominee in 2012.{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/ezra-klein/wp/2012/08/31/what-paul-ryan-learned-from-jack-kemp/|title=What Paul Ryan learned from Jack Kemp|access-date=September 5, 2012|date=August 31, 2012|newspaper=The Washington Post|author=Khimm, Suzy|archive-date=September 1, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120901105703/http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/ezra-klein/wp/2012/08/31/what-paul-ryan-learned-from-jack-kemp/|url-status=dead}}

"Growth is obviously what Jack Kemp was about" stated Fred Barnes{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9pqzsCaf5ZM|access-date=December 23, 2022|date=July 2, 2014|title=The Future of the American Idea - Session II: Growth, Growth, Growth!|publisher=Jack Kemp Foundation|archive-date=December 24, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221224035153/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9pqzsCaf5ZM|url-status=live}} in the opening of the session "Growth! Growth! Growth!" of Jack Kemp Foundation's Forum on The Future of the American Idea, in 2014. Kemp didn't believe in limits to growth,{{cite web|url=https://www.amazon.com/American-idea-Ending-limits-growth/dp/B0007B7UI2|title=Jack Kemp's book 'An American Idea: Ending Limits to Growth'|access-date=December 23, 2022|date=1984|publisher=Goodrich|archive-date=December 24, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221224035153/https://www.amazon.com/American-idea-Ending-limits-growth/dp/B0007B7UI2|url-status=live}} a blind spot shared by many politicians of his era and which prompted him to dismiss the 1991 Report of the United Nations Population Fund as "nonsense".{{cite web|url=https://buffalonews.com/news/article_1b08fc8a-a68b-5b3b-8cdb-9cc3a9a4451d.html|access-date=December 23, 2022|date=November 5, 1991|title=MR. KEMP, YOU'RE DEAD WRONG WORLD OVERPOPULATION IS NOTHING TO SCOFF AT|publisher=The Buffalo News|archive-date=December 24, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221224035153/https://buffalonews.com/news/article_1b08fc8a-a68b-5b3b-8cdb-9cc3a9a4451d.html|url-status=live}}

Senator Arlen Specter in a severe rebuke of federal governmental policy, stated just one day after Kemp died of cancer, that Kemp would still be alive if the federal government had done a better job funding cancer research.{{cite web|url=https://www.foxnews.com/politics/specter-claims-kemp-would-be-alive-if-congress-better-funded-medical-research/|access-date=April 11, 2014|date=May 4, 2009|publisher=Fox News|title=Specter Claims Kemp Would Be Alive if Congress Better Funded Medical Research|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151016001458/http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2009/05/04/specter-claims-kemp-alive-congress-better-funded-medical-research/|archive-date=October 16, 2015|url-status=live}}

Following Kemp's death, his son, Jimmy Kemp, created the Jack Kemp Foundation to continue his father's legacy.{{cite web |url=https://www.jackkempfoundation.org/about |title=Our Staff |access-date=November 17, 2020 |publisher=Jack Kemp Foundation |archive-date=November 25, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201125213303/https://www.jackkempfoundation.org/about |url-status=live }} A 501(c)(3) charitable organization, the foundation's mission statement is to "develop, engage and recognize exceptional leaders who champion the American Idea". The foundation is located in Washington, D.C., and is committed to advancing the universal values of the American Idea: growth, freedom, democracy and hope.{{cite web |url=http://www.jackkempfoundation.org/ |title=To develop, engage and recognize exceptional leaders who champion the American Idea |access-date=July 23, 2015 |publisher=Jack Kemp Foundation |archive-date=July 23, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150723232500/http://www.jackkempfoundation.org/ |url-status=live }}

The football stadium at Occidental College is named after him.{{cite web |url=https://losangeles.cbslocal.com/2011/04/29/occidental-college-names-football-stadium-after-jack-kemp/ |title=Occidental College Names Football Stadium After Jack Kemp |date=April 29, 2011 |language=en-US |access-date=January 12, 2020 |archive-date=January 12, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200112030036/https://losangeles.cbslocal.com/2011/04/29/occidental-college-names-football-stadium-after-jack-kemp/ |url-status=live }}

{{main|Electoral history of Jack Kemp}}

In addition to authoring significant legislation as a congressman, Kemp wrote or co-authored several books:

• An American Idea: Ending Limits to Growth, (Washington, DC: American Studies Center, 1984, no ISBN)
• Tax policy and the economy : a debate between Michael Harrington and Representative Jack Kemp, April 25, 1979., (New York, N.Y. : Institute for Democratic Socialism, 1979, no ISBN)
• An American Renaissance: Strategy for the 1980s, ({{ISBN|0-06-012283-8}}, Harper & Row, 1979)
• The IRS v. The People, ({{ISBN|0-891-95077-X}}, Heritage Books, 2005) Authored by Ken Blackwell and edited by Kemp
• Trusting the People : The Dole-Kemp Plan to Free the Economy and Create a Better America, ({{ISBN|0-694-51804-2}} audiobook, ASIN B000OEV5RE HarperCollins, 1996) coauthored with Bob Dole, narrated by Christine Todd Whitman
• Together We Can Meet the Challenge : Winning the Fight Against Drugs, ({{ISBN|9780788102721}}, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, 1994)
• Pro Sports: Should the Government Intervene?, ({{ISBN|9780844720975}}, American Enterprise Institute for Public Policy Research, 1977)
• U.S. By the Numbers: What's Left, Right & Wrong with America, ({{ISBN|9781892123145}}, Capital Books, Incorporated, 2000) with Raymond J. Keating, and Thomas N. Edmonds
• Our Communities, Our Homes: Pathways to Housing and Homeownership in America's Cities and States, ({{ISBN|9780976148111}}, Joint Center for Housing Studies, 2007) with Henry G. Cisneros, Kent W. Colton, and Nicolas P. Retsinas

Kemp also wrote the foreword to several books:

• Reaganomics: Supply Side Economics in Action ({{ISBN|0-87000-505-7}}, Westport, Conn.: Arlington House, 1981) by Bruce R Bartlett with Arthur Laffer
• Raoul Wallenberg: Angel of Rescue by Harvey Rosenfeld ({{ISBN|0879751770}}, Prometheus Books, 1982)
• Best Editorial Cartoons of the Year: 1986 Edition by Charles Brooks (ed.) ({{ISBN|9780882896052}}, Pelican Publishing Company, Incorporated, 1986)
• Leadership Is Common Sense by Herman Cain ({{ISBN|9781930819023}}, Tapestry Press, 2001)
• Whole World's Watching: Decarbonizing the Economy and Saving the World by Martyn Turner and Brian O'Connell ({{ISBN|9780471499817}}, Wiley, John & Sons, Incorporated, 2001)

• [http://lccn.loc.gov/mm2010085547 Jack Kemp papers, 1924–2009 (bulk 1963–1996)] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201122161414/https://lccn.loc.gov/mm2010085547 |date=November 22, 2020 }}. 118,500 items. Held by the Library of Congress.

• {{portal inline|conservatism}}

{{notelist}}

{{Reflist|30em}}

• Clinton, Bill (2005). My Life. Vintage. {{ISBN|1-4000-3003-X}}.
• Foer, Franklin (2004). How Soccer Explains the World. Harper.
• Gruver, Ed (1997). The American Football League: A Year-by-Year History, 1960–1969, McFarland & Company, {{ISBN|0-7864-0399-3}}.
• Lodge, George (2000). [https://hbsp.harvard.edu/product/381173-PDF-ENG "The Reagan Plan"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240606133527/https://hbsp.harvard.edu/product/381173-PDF-ENG |date=June 6, 2024 }}. Harvard Business School 9–381–173. {{oclc|14056546}}.
• Maiorana, Sal (1994). Relentless: The Hard-hitting History of Buffalo Bills Football, Quality Sports Publications, {{ISBN|1-885758-00-6}}.
• Maiorana, Sal (2000). Relentless: The Hard-hitting History of Buffalo Bills Football, Volume II, Quality Sports Publications, {{ISBN|1-885758-17-0}}.

{{commons category}}

{{wikisource|works=or}}

{{CongBio|K000086|ref=none}}

• {{C-SPAN|225}}
• {{Footballstats |nfl=Jack-Kemp

|espn= |cbs= |yahoo= |fox= |si= |pfr=KempJa00 |dbf=KEMPJAC01 |rotoworld=}}

• [https://www.nytimes.com/1996/10/10/us/excerpts-from-debate-between-vice-president-gore-and-jack-kemp.html Excerpt from October 1996 Kemp-Gore Debate] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230302213421/https://www.nytimes.com/1996/10/10/us/excerpts-from-debate-between-vice-president-gore-and-jack-kemp.html |date=March 2, 2023 }}
• [https://www.nytimes.com/1996/08/16/us/excerpts-from-kemp-s-speech-on-accepting-nomination.html Remarks from Vice Presidential nomination acceptance] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210108013732/https://www.nytimes.com/1996/08/16/us/excerpts-from-kemp-s-speech-on-accepting-nomination.html |date=January 8, 2021 }}
• [https://www.nytimes.com/1996/08/11/us/in-his-own-words-jack-kemp-and-the-issues.html Summary of political positions from his own words] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220504050523/https://www.nytimes.com/1996/08/11/us/in-his-own-words-jack-kemp-and-the-issues.html |date=May 4, 2022 }}
• [https://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/03/us/03kemp.html New York Times obituary] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220528143034/https://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/03/us/03kemp.html |date=May 28, 2022 }}
• [http://www.legacy.com/BaltimoreSun/DeathNotices.asp?Page=Lifestory&PersonID=126845793 Obituary] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303231827/http://www.legacy.com/BaltimoreSun/DeathNotices.asp?Page=Lifestory&PersonID=126845793 |date=March 3, 2016 }} in The Baltimore Sun
• [https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/sport-obituaries/5286810/Jack-Kemp.html Jack Kemp] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180715123256/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/sport-obituaries/5286810/Jack-Kemp.html |date=July 15, 2018 }} – Daily Telegraph obituary
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20120111161313/http://articles.latimes.com/keyword/jack-kemp Kemp archive] at Los Angeles Times

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