Jack Kemp (Photo by Chas Geer), originally uploaded by Rob Bluey.
 

I was 17 years old when Jack Kemp was running for vice president on Bob Dole’s ticket in 1996. I was a senior in high school and getting my first real taste of a political campaign. Kemp’s addition to the ticket was an important factor — not only were his ties to Upstate New York significant, but he also represnted a sharp contrast to the stodgy Dole, who wasn’t exactly appealing to the teenage demographic.

That fall I volunteered for my first political campaign. Rep. Sherwood Boehlert (R-N.Y.) was running for re-election against Democrat Bruce Hapanowicz, a race Boehlert would win in a blowout by a 64% to 26% margin. My job was stuffing envelopes — a small role that probably made only a marginal difference. Yet it was as important as anything I did at the time. I was too young to vote, so this was my contribution.

My excitement about politics — and the presidential race, in particular — coincided with my desire to become much more active in my school and community. That included writing hard-hitting editorials for my high school newspaper (some of which were censored by then-Principal Dave Langone) and campaigning for the school budget vote (which would repeatedly fail before eventually passing).

Looking back, it’s hard to say how much of an impact Jack Kemp had on me at the time. But one thing is clear: The ideas and enthusiasm he brought to the forefront were an inspiration to a young conservative whose political beliefs were still in their infancy.

While I remember previous presidential campaigns dating to George H.W. Bush’s victory in 1988 and his defeat in 1992, it was the Dole-Kemp campaign that had a lasting impact. For that, I am thankful to have been motivated by a wonderful man.