Jack Kemp endorses Ryan for U.S. Senate

Chicago Sun-Times ^ | February 8, 2004 | DAN ROZEK

[JohnnyZ]

Former GOP senator and pro quarterback Jack Kemp threw his endorsement Saturday to Republican U.S. Senate candidate Jack Ryan, then tossed souvenir footballs to fire up an enthusiastic group of Ryan backers gathered in Lincoln Park.

Kemp, the Republican vice presidential nominee in 1996, praised Ryan as a candidate who will shake up the GOP by reaching out to urban and minority voters often overlooked by other Republicans.

"We have a guy who's a super candidate. He can light a fire under the Republican Party,'' said Kemp, who also was to attend a Ryan fund-raiser Saturday.

Ryan, a former investment banker who later taught at Hales Franciscan High School on the South Side, is one of six Republicans seeking the party's nomination to replace retiring U.S. Sen. Peter Fitzgerald.

Kemp, who wrote key tax reform legislation in the 1980s and later served as secretary of Housing and Urban Development, said he and Ryan agree on the use of free-market incentives and cuts in capital gains taxes to help spur economic development.

They also share the philosophy of seeking out voters in urban areas where Republican candidates have not fared well traditionally.

"A party has to represent the whole country,'' Kemp said, adding, "It's a disgrace the Republican Party gets only 8 percent of the black vote.''

Calling Ryan's decision to trade banking for teaching at Hales "a fabulous idea," Kemp said Ryan can appeal to voters across ethnic and political lines.

"I can't think of a better way of serving the country than having Jack Ryan in the Senate,'' Kemp said.

Ryan called Kemp "a giant'' in the Republican Party and said his endorsement will help him in the crowded GOP field.

Ryan said he intends to continue working aggressively to woo Chicago voters who might not have voted Republican before.

"We're competing for those votes the Democrats think they own,'' Ryan said. "We think our ideas are better ideas. It's hard, but we're trying.''

Supporters at the 43rd Ward Republican headquarters chanted, "Jack, Jack, Jack,'' as Ryan and Kemp arrived.

Kemp later tossed several small footballs emblazoned with Ryan stickers to some of those in the room.

[Afro_conservative]

Well New Trier is an excellent school but it has a pretty bad drug problem that isn't exposed like a lot of the city schools. A lot of the parents are able to send their kids to rehab so they come back OK but there are lots of problems at New Trier, but the academics area is stellar. Good thing I went to private school.

[NordP]

With props..........yes.

[mikeb704]

This is the attitude that hurts Republicans. You are part of the problem.

Facts are such stubborn things aren't they? As I said, it almost always makes absolutely no difference because blacks overwhelmingly and consistently vote for Democrats.

[Impy]

"Facts are such stubborn things aren't they?"

Man I hate that phrase.

[AuH2ORepublican]

"Former GOP senator and pro quarterback Jack Kemp"

---

Somebody should tell the Chicago Sun Times that the Constitution does not provide the Buffalo suburbs with their own U.S. Senator, and that they merely elect a U.S. Representative, which is what Jack Kemp was before handing the seat to Bill Paxton, who himself handed the seat to Tom Reynolds. Eastern Erie County Republican Congressmen are usually very powerful, but that does not make them Senators.

Maybe we'll see Jack Kemp endorse some more candidates nationwide, who can then turn around and endorse his son for the 8th CD in Washington State. I think Jeff Kemp would make a terrific House candidate and Congressman, but he'll need to raise a lot of money in that district.

[JohnnyZ]

Maybe we'll see Jack Kemp endorse some more candidates nationwide, who can then turn around and endorse his son for the 8th CD in Washington State.

Not this year, though.

[Redbird Craig]

I hear what you're saying. I, too, would like to see Republicans make more of a consistent effort in the black community. However, there's no denying the fact that Repubs have tried in the past to make inroads (like Dubya in 2000) and found those efforts totally wasted, so I understand why many candidates ignore that part of the electorate.

BTW, while I like what Ryan is doing, I'm more of a Rauschenberger guy. He's true-blue conservative and George Ryan hated his guts, two good reasons right there to support anyone.

Plus, Jack Ryan's filthy rich, good-looking, and he got to see Jerri Ryan naked for all those years- hasn't he had enough good fortune already in life? :)

[JohnnyZ]

Plus, Jack Ryan's filthy rich, good-looking, and he got to see Jerri Ryan naked for all those years

Oh I think he did a little more than look :)

[Thinkin' Gal]

Kemp's endorsement will help Ryan get the illegal immigrant vote.

LOL

Think Ryan will learn a few debate pointers from Kemp? Anybody who loses a debate to AlGore ought to be permanently shamed out of the public arena.