Posted on 08/06/2004 8:03:31 AM PDT by churchillbuff
Stop with the Hillary/Keyes comparisons already (like in the linked oped in the newspaper, the Pantagraph). Hillary was on a POWER TRIP -- she pushed local candidates (Lowy and Andrew Cuomo) to the side so she could have the prize for herself. IN CONTRAST, AMBASSADOR KEYES IS RESPONDING TO A CALL FOR HELP FROM AN IMPERILED ILLINOIS REPUBLICAN PARTY. He's on a rescue mission. True, the media in Illinois don't like his decision, they don't want him showing up with a life-preserver - - - but why should he agree with them that the local GOP should be allowed to drown? CONGRATULATIONS, AMBASSADOR KEYES. YOU'VE SHOWN A SENSE OF DUTY BY RESPONDING TO A CALL FOR HELP.
Second, the selection process is valid under the circumstances. When the nominee drops out, the party picks whomever it feels is best for the job.
Third, the Illinois nominee should be supported, since the GOP cannot afford to lose one single seat to the Democrats.
Fourth, Jack Ryan is to blame for the mess in Illinois. Jack knew his past, and knew it would come out.
"19 Republicans threw Jack Ryan overboard."
It was my understanding that Jack Ryan *withdrew* - I heard him on Sean Hannity say as much. or do you mean their fecklessness just forced him out?
" At that time, the honorable thing to do would have been to go with the runner-up from the primary, Jim Oberweis, who received 23.5% of the vote. I supported Oberweis in the primary. But no, 19 RINOs chose another path that ultimately lead to a choice between a carptebagger and a Democrat in Republican clothing."
I agree with you on that 100%. While there is no hard-n-fast rule requiring the runner-up to get the nod (this isnt Miss America), Oberweis was the logical next choice. The party did a great disservice waiting so long on their decision and not giving Oberweis (or for that matter other primary candidates) a fair shot.
I've been defending *Keyes* however because I think he was called to help in this race and he answered the call, trying to help the party and the conservative causes his advocates. I think his candidacy is honorable in this context and I hope you can support and vote for him, despite the 'baggage' issue.
"Once the second candidate went down to scandal this seat was lost,"
which second candidate?
And btw ... what about Peter Fitzgerald? Why the heck not ask him to stay on?!?
That is too good NOT to repost!
"First, my argument is that Keyes is not imitating Hillary, since he was drafted to an uphill campaign and she created her own opportunity for political gain."
AGREE
"Second, the selection process is valid under the circumstances. When the nominee drops out, the party picks whomever it feels is best for the job."
hmmm. could have been better, but is 'valid' and legal.
"Third, the Illinois nominee should be supported, since the GOP cannot afford to lose one single seat to the Democrats."
AGREE!!! 110% !!
Folks, do you want your vote to be the one that stops or helps Bush nominate 4 conservatives to the US Supreme Court.
Alot is at stake!
"Fourth, Jack Ryan is to blame for the mess in Illinois. Jack knew his past, and knew it would come out."
CHECK.
I agree that we should support him, but honestly, do you really think Keyes has a snowball's chance in hell of winning?
It appears that, of the Illinois voters who've heard of him, twice as many dislike as like him.
Hear! Hear! First of all, let me state that I am from Illinois and have lived here all my life. I was born ina and grew up in what was basically a small county seat town in downstate. I lived in the college towns (Chambana ;-) and Bloomington/Normal) for a while and now live in the Chicago burbs. I've been involved in Illinois politics at the grass roots level since I was first eligible to vote in the 1978 gubernatorial election. Trust me when I say that I predicted that Illinois GOP was headed for a train wreck when the first whiff of what George Ryan was up to started to smell. I *knew* we'd all be in trouble for some time, because that situation alone affected a lot of people and turned off a lot of people.
When I heard that Alan Keyes' name came up in the mix just a few days ago, I was ecstatic. THIS is a man I can get behind and not worry about his morals and ethics - period. That, in and of itself, is a breath of fresh air for this state. The fact that Keyes is NOT a Chicago machine politician - period - is also a PLUS (trust me on this one).
Alan Keyes WILL represent me because, if I could choose anyone in this country to represent me as a Senator, I would have chosen HIM. I can think of no one else here in the state, quite honestly, at this time, who can and does have the breadth of experience at the international level that he does. The fact that he's an Army brat endears him to me as well. I can tell you right now that I will do everything in my power to support this man's candidacy, starting on Sunday afternoon at the rally to be held in Arlington Heights (NW suburb of Chicago).
COLMES: Can you tell me what George W. Bush has done that's good for the African American community?
KEYES: I think the most important thing that G. W. Bush has done is what he's done that's good for America: he has stood against this country's enemies. I don't remember on September the 12th that we counted the bodies in terms of who was black and who was white. Thank God that day we remembered that we were all of us Americans--and G. W. Bush has been a president standing against that evil for the sake of all Americans, and that's what I think people will appreciate.
http://renewamerica.us/archives/media/interviews/04_07_12hc.htm
Do you approach every election with a half full view? ;-)
Actually, I think he has a good chance of reaching the large population of disillusioned voters. Voting turnout in Illinois has declined over the past 14 years, as corruption and liberalism has increased in the state.
Just my positive thinking taking over!
I don't buy that at all. I have been letting the 19 Republicans know my feelings about Jack Ryan - I was one of the ones who suggested that he ought to be dumped because the baggage was going to weigh his candidacy down until Election Day in November. This, as I'm sure many, many others have as well.
I also wrote them with suggestions of candidates, and when I heard that Keyes, who was suggested by ONE of those 19 Republicans, was being considered, especially in comparison to the RINO-with-sexual-harassment-baggage Barthwell, I wrote them all AGAIN.
And guess what? I got responses back from Judy Baar Topinka EVERY time I wrote. I think my voice was heard. Those 19 Republicans represented me and many, many others in this process.
And just for once, the real conservatives won out, when push came to shove down to the last 2 candidates -Keyes or Barthwell. I am relieved. With Barthwell, we would have gotten another Carol Mostly Fraud and Barthwell would have indeed been a "token" candidate.
Because........ for once the people actually elected someone who honored his promises, one of which was to serve only one term. And I'm proud to say I worked on his campaign and voted for him. I am sorry he couldn't see fit to actually break that promise, because I thought his voice was actually being heard in DC, but I can accept that he is honoring his promise.
Actually I lay this mess at George Ryan's feet. The party has been in disarray for some time, and Judy Baar Topinka has had her hands full just trying to keep the ship afloat.
The sex clubs scandal is NOT a non-issue. The fact that he lied to just about everyone, including the voters about the dirt he was hiding, makes it an issue. It is about what he was covering up, but once again the coverup is 10 times worse than the deed, because that's what the media will cover and cover and cover ad nauseum until November.
What's the breakout in percentages on the average for Illinois statewide elections such as Senator, Gov. etc.? Do you have any idea? I'm assuming that the democrats lead in this area but don't know for sure.........
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