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.
Sorry, but that's spinning things just a bit.
He didn't ASK for the interview!
In any case, I'll leave you to your opinion. If a residency purity test is most important, vote accordingly. I won't badger you over it.
Do what you gotta do. As I said before, I'm not someone who kicks and screams when conservatives vote third party. It's your choice.
Hardly, I just don't think that Alan Keyes will help Bush. I am not really that concerned with the Illinois race, I don't live there. Keyes is just not a team player.
It sure doesn't help Bush if this Republican-held Senate seat is lost to the Democrats, I can tell you.
No, of course it doesn't, but Keyes won't win it. Keyes is too oppositional for most people. He doesn't ever expouse any positive propostitions, all he wants to do is chastise people for what they are doing wrong.
Especially in the times we live in--when we are at war, and the Dark Side isn't just the terrorists but the party the terrorists would rather have win--it is more vital than ever to beat the Democrats.
I think if the heart is there among conservatives to win this seat, it is winnable. Half of Illinois voters often don't vote. There is a broad base of disillusioned voters to call back to the party.
Like I said, I don't live in Illinois, so go for it if you think Keyes has a chance, but remember the first rule is to do no harm to the national ticket. We don't need any more RINOs, and that doesn't necessarily mean a liberal Republican.
And remember, first do no harm to a GOP nominee for Senate.
No, Keyes will raise and discuss issues that professional politicians run away from - he'll provide an educational campaign for voters who are usually fed bromides and pap.
Keyes is a principled conservative - - and perhaps the most dazzlingly articulate spokesman for conservative principles out there. Sure wish Bush were a quarter as good at articulating conservative beliefs.
"I cannot support leadership that sits in the back room trying to figure out how much harm can be done without opposition."
"See, my problem is that I sit in front of a decision like that and I say this is a decision where somebody sat down to figure out how much evil they could get away with."
I'm glad he's not a Bush Republican.
He ain't carpetbagging. Carpetbaggers were folks who went down South to exploit the conquered region's vulnerabilities after the civil war --- for their own gain. Keyes has been invited to Illinois to HELP THE REPUBLICAN PARTY IN AN HOUR OF NEED. No comparison to "carpetbagging."
Do you have any idea how ironic that statement is?
For four long years, those of us on this site who support George Bush have had to listen and read day in and day out about how Bush is not a "real conservative" or a "true conservative" and he's disappointed each and every one of you all out there. "He's deserted the conservatives!" "IF Bush does (fill in the blank) I'll sit home in November!"
Time and time again, we've pointed out that Bush IS the GOP candidate and going third party won't defeat Democrats; but that's never been enough for your purists; you've never just accepted the fact that Bush IS the GOP candidate and you either can vote for him or not vote for him.
And now YOU are demanding that we support Alan Keyes because he IS the GOP candidate?
There is more spinning going on in these threads than all the moons around Saturn.
Just out of curiosity, how do you know that for sure? Are you positive somebody in the Keyes campaign didn't contact somebody in the Illinois GOP and suggest they speak with Keyes?
Was he recruited out of the clear blue?
Then why is he going against his own words?
Don't get me wrong .. I think watching Keyes go after Kennedy, Clinton, Durbin, Dashole, etc on the Senate Floor would be a hoot to watch
But truth be told .. Keyes is going against what he said in 2000
Hadn't thought of that. Interesting point.
I'm just going by the reports. I've never seen anything that indicated otherwise.
Why don't you ask the Illinois State Central Committee yourself?
Cheney said he wasn't in contention for the VEEP spot while he worked for Bush to find a him a running mate. There's nothing wrong with making a false prediction about one's future political office. It happens honestly all the time.
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