The next second lady?

On Thurs., Oct. 3, Joanne Kemp attended a Republican rally at New Haven University in West Haven where her husband, the GOP vice-presidential nominee, Jack Kemp, spoke to a crowd of over 200, including many high school and college students. The Republicans will spend the majority of the week in the state preparing for the first Presidential debate on Sun., Oct. 6, in Hartford. Many analysts view Connecticut as a crucial state in swaying the New England vote, and it is politically still "up for grabs." While no formal interviews were granted, Mrs. Kemp did take time out from her busy schedule to answer a few questions posed by The Yale Herald.

Joanne Kemp

The Yale Herald: How do you feel your role as a mother to four children and 11 grandchildren may be different from, or coincide with, your possible future role as Mrs. Vice-President?

Joanne Kemp:Well, my role as mother is the most important one other than wife of Jack Kemp. I will always be a mother to my four children and I am a grandmother now to our 11 grandchildren and a mother-in-law to my three in-laws, so that's my primary job. I love that. I think family is the building block of society, and keeping family together is the most important thing I can do. So I will not only keep my family together but I will encourage others. You know some people aren't fortunate enough to have a mother and a father and I think the single-parent families need extra help. So I would encourage whatever we could do to help them out.

YH: Given that the cost of a college education is rising and the availability of jobs is declining, what advice do you have as a female leader for other women who are in college and just starting out in the work force?

JK: Right now, I would say listen to what my husband and Bob Dole are saying about expanding the economy because there's great potential in all of us to do whatever we can do, whether or not it's a job at home. You know, my daughter started a little cottage industry when she was in college, which she can no longer do because she wanted to start a family. But, you know, there are all sorts of things that we can do in this economy and jobs that we can perform. Mainly, getting our taxes lowered so that people can have the income to start on their own is crucial.

YH: What kinds of social programs do the Republicans espouse that will help single mothers in the inner cities who may be on welfare? What kinds of social plans will you fight for?

JK: It's important to have quality day care available for people who work double shifts at work. I do feel the importance of nurturing children is primary. I mean, you really need to know that your child is well-cared for. Our economic plan would make it more possible for one earner to support the entire family. Sometimes people are working because they have to; they have to pay their taxes and they want to take care of their family. So, a lower tax rate would make it easier for a woman to stay home and take care of her children.