Dole-Kemp Off And Running

[the Doles and Kemps] RUSSELL, Kan. (AllPolitics, Aug. 10) -- A pleased and upbeat Bob Dole made it official today and introduced former Housing Secretary Jack Kemp, a one-time rival, as his running mate to an enthusiastic hometown crowd. (701 K WAV sound)

"I'm here today as the future president to introduce to you my choice of vice president -- a man of unlimited talent, energy and vision, an American original -- Jack Kemp," Dole told cheering supporters at Russell's rural courthouse, the spot Dole began his political career some 40 years ago.

"There is no more challenging nor exhilarating time in history to help shape America's leadership and America's future," Kemp declared in an energetic speech. "And let me say, from the bottom of my heart, to Bob and Elizabeth, to their daughter Robin, with my wife at my side, I don't believe there's a higher honor than the one Bob Dole has bestowed upon me and my dear family and my wife, Joanne." (498 K WAV sound)

In a direct challenge to Ross Perot's Reform Party, whose convention starts Sunday, Kemp proclaimed that the Republican Party was about to become "the Lincoln-Reagan-Dole reform party for America." And he put the Democrats on notice, too. "It will be with a keen sense of determination as well as confidence in our ultimate victory that I accept the challenge and trust of running on Bob Dole's ticket," he said.

Kemp Acceptance Speech

Vital Statistics

Voter's Voice

GOP Reactions

National Reactions

Delegates' Choice

Take A Stand!
The Tally

Dialogue

CQ On Kemp

Getting The Scoop

After quipping that Dole had told him to keep his speech short, the sometimes long-winded Kemp launched into themes he's advocated for years -- economic growth, the need for policies that reach out to all Americans, the GOP as political reformers. (698 K WAV sound) He ended by summoning the memory of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

As the nation prepares to enter the third millenium, Kemp said, "American ideals and American ideas grip the imagination of men and women in every corner of the globe. In every country in which we travel, you hear the echoes of 1776, the words of our Declaration of Independence, that all men are created equal. The history of our nation has become the central feature of the history of the world."

Dole, smiling broadly and looking upbeat, reiterated his pledge "to end the IRS as we know it." "[In] the Dole-Kemp administration, we're going to get this country moving again, and starting next January we'll fight the war against drugs and get back to winning it again. We'll appoint judges and prosecutors who care more about the rights of victims than care about the rights of the criminals." (666 K WAV sound)

Even as Kemp spoke, the impact of his candidacy on Dole's prospects was being debated by Republicans, Democrats and political analysts across the country. Though privately glum, the White House had already begun publicly spinning the pick, castigating the choice as a move of desperation from a sinking campaign. After releasing a 10-page memo detailing areas where Kemp and Dole disagree, Clinton official Ann Lewis tried to paint Kemp, who favors a return to the gold standard, as an extremist.

But Republicans were jubilant that Kemp might help broaden Dole's appeal and restart a campaign some 20 points behind Clinton in recent polls. Indeed, a Newsweek poll of swing voters (those who do not support Dole but would consider it) indicated that may be the case.

Some 36 percent of these swing voters said they were more likely to vote for Dole because of his choice of Kemp, according to the survey of 761 registered voters. Fifty percent said the Kemp choice would have no effect, while 14 percent said it would make it less likely they would vote for Dole. The poll, released today, had a margin of error of +/- four percent and was conducted Aug. 8-9.

Meanwhile, it was off to San Diego for Dole and Kemp, where the GOP faithful are gathering for the Republican National Convention beginning Monday.

Dole-Kemp Off And Running

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