That's 245 Iowan dollars well earned!
Posted on 12/13/2007 6:03:46 AM PST by Titus Quinctius Cincinnatus
After the Des Moines Register Republican presidential debate ended here Wednesday afternoon, Susan Patterson Plank, the paper’s vice president of marketing, was a little defensive. Reporters wanted to know how Alan Keyes, the former ambassador running a nearly nonexistent campaign, qualified for the debate. Standing beside the established Republican candidates on the stage at the Iowa Public Television headquarters, Keyes used his considerable rhetorical skills to wander all over the lot, deliver sermons, avoid questions, grow increasingly irritable, and in general lead viewers to ask what in the h*** he was doing on stage.
(Excerpt) Read more at article.nationalreview.com ...
Alan Keyes never saw a camera he did not like.
The sad thing about Keyes is the fact that he’s often right but can’t seem to figure out that his own tantrums hurt him most.
still ya know what
I LIKE KEYES
he is a fiesty lil f’er
I watched him distroy libs in debates...great fun to watch.
Even better if he distroys some of these so called republicans in debates.
Keyes has gotten as weird as Dennis Kookcinich. He has an embarrassment yesterday and clearly didn’t belong on that stage. He spent most of time arguing that he didn’t get enough time to respond. I can’t deny his rhetorical skills but I think he’s become mentally unhinged.
Should have been WAS not has. Sorry.
I agree...he’s a guy who never reached his potential...in anything really, and he’s frustrated and just plain bitter about it. What was he doing there?
In truth, the most benefit everyone could get from Alan Keyes would be if he was *asking* the questions, not answering them.
The Republican debates would be riveting if they could assemble a group of interrogators of the caliber of Alan Keyes, to present to the candidates a list of questions prior to the debate, so they would be fully prepared to answer them.
And to then cross examine them on their answers.
Alan Keyes would be fearsome in that role, and that debate would be guaranteed to elevate some candidates and effectively end the contest for others.
Keyes is invited to debate because of his brilliance, which casts a powerful light on the other candidates. He does need to be part of the debates for this reason, but having to be a candidate to do so diminishes his role.
He could have accomplished alot if he would have worked within the system instead of constantly assuming he should be the system.
Great stuff here on the Keyes steamroller in Iowa by Byron York, who declines to take grandeloquent handwaving for an answer.
“I jumped in again. “Ambassador, I’m going to ask you one more time. Have you personally been doing campaign events here in Iowa in the last few months?”
“I have had several campaign events here in Iowa, but I will not define those events as you do,” he said.
“In the last few months?”
“I don’t define those events as you do. And I don’t think you have any right whatsoever to establish yourselves as the arbiter of what constitutes an event. I will do that in a way that reflects the best needs and purposes of the people who are working with me. Because as I see it, every time somebody comes forward and takes the pledge, that’s an Iowa event.”
That puts Keyes at 49 and counting.”
LOL. Keyes is a loon, as I define the term “loon.” His definition may vary.
49? Forty-Nine?
Speaking of grandeloquence!
Thanks for the ping. I wouldn't have seen this article without it.
Regards,
TS
I wonder if the “pledge” includes a committment to donate.
I’d think you’d remember that I do know how to count votes in Iowa.
It does. Five bucks. Shocking, ain't it?
Typically Alan. Some standards need to be used for determining qualification for inclusion in the debate. Alan should be put to that standard just like anyone else. As long as the length of the event is appropriate, and the candidates get enough time to talk, I like seeing as many people included as possible. That being said, Alan had no business in that debate. And that debate seemed to me to be a very poorly run event. If a candidate continues to talk, turn the mic off. Some grace period is reasonable, but three times the allotted time? BTW, 10 or 15 seconds for a response? That’s a format that doesn’t allow a candidate any time to explain their views. Isn’t that the main reason to hold a debate. “Debate”? We could go into the definition but I’m sure we’re all of the same mind on that point.
During the event it seemed like Keyes was of the opinion that just about everyone other than he was either an elite, controlled by the elites, or working for the elites. That doesn’t translate well when you haven’t specifically tied what it is the elites are supposed to be up to, and that it is terribly indefensibly bad. In this event Keyes failed to do that. I wondered how long the other candidates would stand there acting the part of Keyes personal dart board, before responding.
Subsequent to one more thirty second allotment during which Keyes waxed eloquently for a minute and a half with moderator in tow, Fred Thompson took up the challenge, when asked a question immediately after. Fred said, “I’ll address that in a moment, but right now I’m dying to know what Ambassador Keyes’ stance on global warming is.” The low key reference to ‘hot air’ had the group laughing at Alan’s expense.
If Keyes is given the floor for a period of time, I don’t mind his oratorical skills. If he stays on point and delivers some good thoughts on sound policy, he is capable of delivering a great speech. That isn’t always the case for me. There are times when I listen to a full Keyes speech and think right on. Then there are time when he just gets on my nerves about midway thorough and I tune out.
Putting Keyes in this debate served several purposes. It killed valuable time. It marginalized Keyes. It served to marginalize the event to a degree. It also served to marginalize some of the issues he supports. Those are some decent goals for the liberal cause, and it’s more than likely why he was included. Those and the fact that he may have tried to break in if not included, which would force the local authorities to give him a ride out of town, always good for a few more moments of indignant oration.
Alan’s fifteen minutes is going on twenty-seven. Add in his former spokesperson, and it approaches fifty-seven. And I guess that’s fitting, since Alan clearly doesn’t have that timing thing down yet.
He’s even nuttier and more hostile than I thought.
If he gets the nomination, he could pick Katherine Harris as his running mate.
What’s shocking is what five bucks will pay for. Nothing!
It’s not worth the bother.
If you’re a candidate, you should be in the candidate’s debate. It’s that simple.
I know that opens the door to some wackos, but you can’t hide potential choices from voters just because they’re irritating.
The real question should be how can they include Keyes, but kick out Kucinich? Is someone doing a favor for another candidate?
I'm simply amazed at the disconnect from reality, propagated by the leftist media, and picked up by those in the GOP with an axe to grind, between what they're saying about what Dr. Keyes said, and what he actually said. It's astounding.
For example:
"Governor Huckabee just addressed the question of education claiming that he is the spokesman, do you know the major problem? We allowed the judges to drive god out of our schools. We allowed the moral foundation of this republic which is that we are created equal and endowed by our creator, not by our constitution or our leaders with our rights. If we don't teach our children that heritage and the moral culture that goes along with it, we cannot remain free, they will not be disciplined to learn science, to learn math, to learn history, to learn anything. And they don't want to talk about this except when they're squabbling about their own personal faith and forgetting that we have a national creed. And that national creed needs to be taught to our children so that whether they were scientists or businessmen or lawyers they will stand on the solid ground of a moral education that gives them the discipline they need to serve the right, to exercise their freedom with dignity, and to defend justice because they understand it is our heritage." - Alan Keyes
What exactly is "nutty" about that? And, if it can be described as "hostile," I fail to see how it is hostile to anything conservatives believe in.
In the new Democrat Media-controlled arena of American politics, anyone who can string more than one cogent sentence together in a row is considered nutty.
Your candidate has anger issues. That's his problem.
Personally, I wish a whole bunch of Americans would get angry.
Until they do, the Republic is going to keep going down the toilet.
Until they do, the Republic is going to keep going down the toilet.
**************
I'd rather see resolve and determination.
I heard him last night on the John Gibson Radio Show.
After his angry hissy fit at John all I kept saying was “ Keyes is such an a-hole”. What a bitter foot stomping whiner.
I don’t know anyone more resolved, determined and dedicated to the cause of restoring and defending the foundations of liberty than Alan Keyes. And I know quite a few people.
You forgot the "I am a paid employee" full disclosure statement again.
That seems to happen with alarming regularity.
Alan Keyes is a good man and very passionate about what he believes in, but he has shown time and time again that he is unsuited for elected office.
Actually, I haven’t been paid a penny. I’m doing it because I believe in Alan and his message.
You make anything from your fine efforts with the Swiftboat Vets?
We’re in really bad shape as a movement, a party, and a nation, when folks like you are embarrassed at cogent, passionate advocacy for restoring America’s most fundamental foundations.
I somehow doubt that. You can’t accomplish anything without results, which is something that Alan Keyes has yet to deliver. Keyes should stick to an advisory role or some other position articulating his values. He has shown zero political ability having yet to win a single elected office despite repeated tries.
Yeah, well, Lincoln and Churchill both spent their time in the political wilderness, too. I don’t know about you, but I’m real glad they didn’t ever give up on their calling in life.
And, even though he hasn’t been in office, Dr. Keyes’ influence over the last decade has been much more substantial than many here are likely to want to acknowledge these days.
And I would seriously doubt that Keyes has been as influential as his supporters claim. If he was really as influential as you claim, why is he not advising any elected officials? Where is the evidence of this supposed influence?
"Let us raise a standard to which the wise and honest can repair. The rest is in the hands of God." - George Washington
$5 and a mailing address?
They don’t want the $5, they want the mailing address so they can be put on the “for sale” spam list and get 147 mailings in the next 3 months.
Bet they get one from the Minutemen.
There you go. Good point.
At one time Keyes was influential, now he is just scammer like Sharpton.
It all started going downhill when Connie hooked him up with the dodgy direct mail people. Now all the organization is about is bringing in dough and paying salaries.
They screwed the Minutemen when they hooked them up as well. How many more good orgs and people are going to be polluted by the big haired blonde?
Keyes is not a serious candidate is wasting everyone’s time. I also think his debating skills are totally overrated.
That's 245 Iowan dollars well earned!
Well that Keyes fellar did get 14%+ of the Caucus action in 2000. So maybe that is the basis of his invite..... Don’t know if that was before or after he went ‘mosh pitting’ or suggesting money for the US African natives or however he described them.
Keyes and his group is after money. They’ll paint themselves as being hollier than the others but in effect they are the Elmer Gantry contingent of the GOP, imo.
At least 49.
“I know that opens the door to some wackos, but you can’t hide potential choices from voters just because they’re irritating.”
What if you’re irritating AND have only 49 “voters” supporting you?
Sheet, sign me up.
He had an opportunity to do that, on his short-lived talk show, but IIRC, he couldn't stop pontificating long enough to let the "guests" talk.
If he has to get on the national political stage, though, I think he'd help conservatives more if he'd run as a Democrat.
Yep. Thousands, a couple hundred, or at least 49.
Keyes is a joke and a disgrace to the conservative movement.
What a shameless self promoter above all else.
Keyes is the best person who stood on or off that stage, to be President of the United States. Bar none.
In any event, agree or disagree with my personal assessment, it’s impossible to countenance the chutzpah of the reporters, editors, and publishers who think that they, not the people, should decide who ought to be heard, and to what level
National Review has jumped the shark with the rest of them. I’m so disappointed.
So how many votes did Keyes actually get in Iowa?
You'd think all those volunteer staffers would have voted for him...
It seems to depend on who you ask. Jasper County officials say he got at least one vote there.
On the other hand, the Keyes campaign claims that Iowa is refusing to count the votes for Keyes, even though they counted Tom Tancredo's 5 votes, and in fact they say his name wasn't even on the ballot:
"I voted for Alan Keyes," said Siena Hoefling of Calhoun County. "It's ridiculous they didn't report my vote. Each precinct could have easily called or emailed the vote tallies to headquarters, so they should have been counted by now.""County election officials showed me a ballot list of 'suggested' candidates, but Alan Keyes' name wasn't on the list," said Hoefling. "When I asked them if they would include Alan's name, they said they'd have to write it in."
One election official apologized to Hoefling that Keyes' name was omitted, saying "these are just the names we were given by [Iowa GOP] headquarters."
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