Alan Keyes Makes Last Stand in Texas

Conservative Pulse (Florida) | January 23, 2008 | Austin Cassidy

[PAR35]

Does he have any votes in this primary season at all, and if so do they equal Duncan Hunter’s numbers?

I wouldn't be surprised to see Hunter or Thompson out poll him in Texas. He probably will out poll Tran.

I'll be surprised if he runs as high as 6th in Texas.

[CounterCounterCulture]

In 2000, Keyes provided a credible vehicle for some conservative Christians to cast a protest vote against George Bush and John McCain.

To call Keyes' support "protest votes" doesn't really reflect the dynamics of the 2000 election.

Keyes was far superior to Bush and McCain in integrity, intelligence, and adherence to our national security, sovereignty and constitutional rights. These votes were really for Keyes as the best choice of the remaining candidates.

I dare say Bush received "protest votes" of those who didn't want McCain, and vice versa. I'd have rather seen these protest votes thrown towards Keyes which would have raised his profile that much more. But most of the responses I had at the time was along the lines of "I like Keyes, but I can't have McCain win, so I'm throwing my vote to Bush."

It's a common dynamic in elections to steer your vote away from your first love into manipulated perceptions on electability, and it usually leads to mediocrity in elected officials, not surprisingly.

[outlawcam]

But most of the responses I had at the time was along the lines of "I like Keyes, but I can't have McCain win, so I'm throwing my vote to Bush."

Yep. If people would vote for someone whose views most reflected their own, either we wouldn't be having this discussion or I seriously overestimated Republicans.

[Steve Schulin]

Alan Keyes got 4,010 votes in the Florida primary. Duncan Hunter, who withdrew before election day, but after many early votes were cast, got 2,820.

There’s still lots of time before the nomination is made. I’m happy to tell folks about why I favor Keyes and ask them to consider voting for him. If enough folks can be persuaded, Keyes will win. If you think this election is important, talk to those you encounter throughout the day about this stuff.