SPRINGFIELD - IL GOP gets a shot in the arm -- Keyes style (Edgar will Vote for Keyes)

The Illinois Leader ^ | 08/19/2004 | The Leader-Springfield Bureau

[Keyes2000mt]

While families from across the state converged on the Illinois State Fair for a day of fun in the sun, leaders of the Illinois Republican Party met at a couple of downtown hotels.

Today’s Republican events began at 9:30am at the Renaissance Hotel with a meeting of the County Chairmen's Association. The Illinois Leader was on hand and provided the following report.

The meeting began at approximately 9:30am with close to 60 county chairmen in attendance.

Jim Edgar, Victory 2004 Campaign Chairman, addressed the group and encouraged them to support President George W Bush in spite of any disagreements they may have with him, pointing out that Bush was a better candidate by far than Democrat John Kerry. He went on to talk about the campaign’s plans for Illinois:

Edgar announced the appointment of Eric Robinson who will serve as Victory 2004’s Executive Director. Robinson was Edgar’s media spokesperson during his last few years as Governor. He advised the group that there is money coming from Washington for signs and other campaign materials. There is no word, however, on money for commercials or other media costs.

In response to media inquiries about his plans to assist U S Senate Candidate Alan Keyes, Edgar stated that he has no such plans, explaining that his University job takes a great deal of his time and that his hands are already full with the Bush reelection efforts.

With regard to raising money for media for Dr. Keyes, Edgar said that the extensive media coverage that Keyes is presently receiving means that his campaign doesn’t need to spend as much for additional media coverage.

When asked if he agreed with Keyes on the issues, Edgar stated that although he may not entirely agree with the candidate on all issues, he would vote for the Republican candidate. Asked specifically if he would be voting for Keyes, Edgar responded that he would vote for the Republican “unless there was a problem.”

After speaking with reporters, Edgar shook hands with Dr. Keyes and wished him well before leaving the meeting.

Dr. Alan Keyes then spoke to the assembled group of county chairmen who were clear in their support, frequently breaking out into applause throughout his address.

After talking about the reparations issue, which had created quite a media stir in recent days, Dr. Keyes said that the big question from people he meets on the streets is about jobs. He told the group that Illinois need not just jobs, but well-paying jobs. He went on to say that “the Republican Party is in the business of job creation; it is not the business of government to provide jobs. “ Regarding last Sunday’s Bud Billiken Parade, Keyes said that he had gone "into the enemy’s capital and was met by the enemy’s troops”, telling the group that he was not surprised by the reception he received and assuring them that “we are going to fight a battle so that every voter in Illinois will have a choice on election day.”

In conclusion, Dr. Keyes said that he was proud of being Pro-Life, of being a Black-American, and of being a Roman Catholic. Often wondering why God had singled him out, he found that when he came to Illinois, all three factors are of great importance in the current challenge.

The County Chairmen’s meeting was followed by a meeting of the Republican State Central Committee which took place across the street at the Hilton Hotel.

On-going coverage of that meeting and of the rest of today’s events is forthcoming. Stay tuned…

[EggsAckley]

Keyes has blown it. Suggesting that blacks not pay income tax has ruined him forever.

JMHO, of course.

[Keyes2000mt]

And Bush hasn't ruined himself by supporting the largest expansion of the Welfare State in 40 years. I will vote to re-elect the President, but I can't help but feel some people have a double standard for purity.

[Iam1ru1-2]

Where and when did he say that? I don't recall him saying that about blacks specifically. I think none of us should pay income tax since it has never been approved by 2/3 of the states. It's government theivery. We need a national use tax, no exemptions, no IRS!

[EggsAckley]

It was posted here yesterday or the day before. And Michael Medved just spent a whole hour discussing it.

[EggsAckley]

HERE it is, with 526 responses.

[familyofman]

"When asked if he agreed with Keyes on the issues, Edgar stated that although he may not entirely agree with the candidate on all issues, he would vote for the Republican candidate. Asked specifically if he would be voting for Keyes, Edgar responded that he would vote for the Republican “unless there was a problem.” "

Onward to victory!!! With strong support like this, Keyes is a shoo-in.

[Hugin]

Yep. Coming on the heels of his statement last week morally equating abortion with terrorism, Keyes is setting a record for candidate self-destruction. The problem is he may well take the rest of the IL Republican candidates down with him.

[EggsAckley]

candidate self-destruction

Yep. Second only to JF'n Kerry.

[Catspaw]

"When asked if he agreed with Keyes on the issues, Edgar stated that although he may not entirely agree with the candidate on all issues, he would vote for the Republican candidate. Asked specifically if he would be voting for Keyes, Edgar responded that he would vote for the Republican “unless there was a problem.” "

Now that's a ringing endorsement if I ever heard one. Uh uh.

[Catspaw]

"When asked if he agreed with Keyes on the issues, Edgar stated that although he may not entirely agree with the candidate on all issues, he would vote for the Republican candidate. Asked specifically if he would be voting for Keyes, Edgar responded that he would vote for the Republican “unless there was a problem.” "

Now that's a ringing endorsement if I ever heard one. Uh uh.

[tkathy]

Keyes is not in the right race for him. IMO he should find a congressional race where he might do well. (Somewhere where he has at least lived in).

[Mr. Lucky]

The only reason not to equate abortion with terrorism is that abortion has killed so many more victims.

[Keyes2000mt]

That's no reason NOT to support our Republican candidate in Illinois.

[proudpapa]

oh yea of little faith. Keyes saying that he supports restitution is like Kerry saying that he believes life begins at conception.

Say what ever it takes to win the votes.

If Keyes can get 18% or more of the black vote in Illinois then he wins. End of story.

[proudpapa]

oh yea of little faith. Keyes saying that he supports restitution is like Kerry saying that he believes life begins at conception.

Say what ever it takes to win the votes.

If Keyes can get 18% or more of the black vote in Illinois then he wins. End of story.

[BillyBoy]

" He is a very bright, articulate, energetic, and…entertaining candidate"
--Former Governor Jim Edgar on Alan Keyes , 8/19/2004

Edgar clearly endorsed Keyes and said he would vote for him. Governor Edgar always endorses conservative nominees if asked on the record. This is a step up from a small group of ultra RINOs like Thompson, George Ryan, and LaHood who refuse to even say whether they'll vote for Keyes. A somewhat lukewarm endorsement is an improvement over no endorsement.

Also, notice Alan Keyes proudly wears a sticker promoting the candidate who RINOs say he "hates"

$100 bucks says you NEVER see Arlen Specter with a Bush sticker, of course the RINOs don't mind when he loudly attacks Bush.

Hmmm...

[Tribune7]

The two issues that almost turned me against Dubya were CFR & the adminsitration's support of the status quo for affirmative action in those cases that went before the S.C.

If we can't give Keyes some slack for playing loose in a no-chance contest in which he is running as a favor, then we got a problem.

[DaughterOfAnIwoJimaVet]

I heard Medved, too. He said that such statements (suggesting we brought September 11th on ourselves because of legal abortion) tend to relieve some of the burden of guilt that we should be placing on the terrorists. They are the ones to blame, one-hundred percent.

As you may know, Medved is strongly pro-life.

He is no fan of Keyes, let me tell you. Today's show was scathing.

[drjimmy]

Edgar clearly endorsed Keyes and said he would vote for him.
You left out the last part of what Edgar said, which is that he would vote for Keyes “unless there was a problem.” What does that mean? Unless his car runs out of gas on the way to the polls? Unless he can't figure out the ballot and accidentally votes for Buchanan? With that broad qualification from Edgar, I don't think anyone can say with certainty that he will vote for Keyes.