What it does is push fence-sitting voters over the line -- to the Democrats. There are a lot of rational people out there who just can't swallow the obnoxious stuff that Keyes dishes out, and when someone like that gets elected as a Republican, and embraced by Republicans, the forces pushing the always-vote-Democrat-'cause-Republicans-are-a-bunch-of-troglodytes line have more ammo in their arsenal.
A huge number of American voters have a friend, relative, or co-worker who is gay and not deserving of dismissal as a "selfish hedonist", and they are very reasonably irked by that sort of hostile, blanket statement. Was Father Mychal Judge, who lost his life trying to minister to those injured and dying in the WTC attack a "selfish hedonist"? These voters hear "Republican" Keyes mouthing of like this, and it definitely impacts their overall voting behavior.
And Keyes' reparations nonsense makes me seriously wonder whether he really does grasp basic conservative political concepts. He seems to have political principles which are easily and impulsively overridden every time an issue comes up that he feels especially emotional about.
There's something to be said for teaching political parties a lesson when they field candidates with wacko tendencies. I voted for the Democratic candidate for my state legislature representive, since the incumbent Republican (Wallis Brooks) was showering me and the rest of the district with gun-grabbing propaganda and promises. She got voted out of office, and the state Republican party and other potential Republican candidates no doubt took notice. I'm sure we'll get a better candidate next time. Believe me, I don't like helping the corrupt Pennsylvania Democratic machine in any way, but it was a necessary step towards a more important longer term goal.
They are selfish hedonists by definition. Of course Dr. Keyes said much more than that in context. (which the lib media refuses to cover, including FNC apparently) Homosexuality is a neurotic disorder and ignoring that when considering the ramifications of 'gay marriage' is absurd. It is also not compassionate in the least to treat homosexuality as normal.
But he didn't. He moved the definition of "moderate" to the right.
Goldwater prepared the way for Reagan.
Gingrich or Helms, who were more "in your face" like Keyes, also moved the perception of "moderate" to the right. The media used them as examples of "extremists", but that just emphasized the "moderation" of Republicans who were not so conservative.
Without candidates and officials who are on the rightward fringe of conservatism obviously the "center" moves leftward. It's just common sense.
Compared to Keyes every other Republican is a moderate. That's undeniable, unspinnable. His "extreme" conservatism can hurt him with some voters- as it does with people with your views- but it only helps conservatives who don't push so hard against what's popularly acceptable.
hedonist: comes from the Greek word "hedus" which means pleasure. . . I think that the word is quite apropos for many in our culture who see sex as the summum bonum.