Posted on 09/21/2004 9:53:19 AM PDT by Scenic Sounds
BLOOMINGTON -- Political polls are "phony" and should not just be disregarded, but banned, Republican U.S. Senate candidate Alan Keyes argued Monday.
"They (polls) are manipulative and degrading and damaging to our political system, and they should not be allowed when it comes to the actual time frame in which people are making up their minds," Keyes said during a meeting with The Pantagraph's editorial board.
His comments came in response to questions about a Pantagraph/St. Louis Post-Dispatch poll published Monday showing him trailing Democrat Barack Obama 68 percent to 23 percent.
The survey, released 43 days before the election, indicates many Illinoisans may be troubled by the fact that the conservative former presidential candidate is from Maryland and that he has locked horns with some members of his own party over his conservative beliefs.
But Keyes dismissed the poll results as the work of a biased media.
"I would suggest that what would be appropriate is a complete ban on all polling activity and all publication of such polling activity within a certain time frame," said Keyes.
"All of the polls taken at this stage of the game are phony anyway."
Keyes has spent two days in Central Illinois trying to drum up support for his late-starting campaign. He replaced original GOP nominee Jack Ryan last month after Ryan bowed out amid sex-club allegations.
Despite his showing in the polls and his sparring with state GOP leaders, Keyes was warmly received Monday at a lunch meeting of the McLean County Republican Party.
In a 20-minute speech, Keyes drilled home his conservative beliefs, including his opposition to abortion, gay marriage and taxes and his support of gun-owner rights and the war in Iraq.
"Forget the polls! Forget the pundits," he urged the estimated 150 people in attendance.
At both the luncheon and at the newspaper, Keyes said Republicans will fare well in Illinois on Nov. 2, even though President Bush has all but given up campaigning in the state because it leans Democratic.
"I represent something people have longed for in Illinois politics for a long time," Keyes said. "I am raising the banner of Christian priorities and moral priorities at all costs. And I am fighting everyday against people who say, 'You can't win that way. You can't be talking about this. You've got to stop talking about abortion. You've got to stop talking about gay marriage. You've got to stop talking about all these moral issues.'"
Keyes also made a veiled reference to his testy relationship with party officials, including state GOP Chairwoman Judy Baar Topinka, the moderate state treasurer who has not openly embraced Keyes' candidacy.
Without naming anyone in particular, Keyes said "certain elements" of the Republican Party "have been co-opted" by Democrats who control state government.
Now, that should be newsworthy!!!
So, where is the MainStreamMedia?
I doubt it will make a difference in the outcome.
What are his chances in California in a few years, Beck?
Keyes tells it like it is. No BS from him, that's lost when all the other candidates speak.
man Keyes is not doing so well....
I dont know if he is going to be able to pull any closer to Obama...he is really up against it in Illinois and I am afraid that this statement proves it....
Polls can be an extremely useful tool. Dr Keyes is upset with them because they are a reflection of the poor campaign he is running.
Hey, Alan: just go away.
In light of the CBS fraud, Keyes makes absolute sense. Fraud, lies, media manipulations, false currency, bad checks, shouting fire in a theater ARE NOT FREEDOMS OF SPEECH.
I actually agree, at least with the sentiment. But I don't really know what could be done about it. Polls become illegitimate foci, and themselves become the news.
They'd only be of real value if some evaluation were given, some basic intelligence test. Like, "Of those who favor Obama, only 12% could correctly name even one of his specific positions...."
Dan
Keyes has officially left orbit of Planet Sanity and gone off on his own trajectory.
28% for KEyes is outstanding.
Ban polls? That sounds like a violation of the 1st Amendment to me. No thank you.
In light of the CBS fraud, Keyes makes absolute sense. Fraud, lies, media manipulations, false currency, bad checks, shouting fire in a theater ARE NOT FREEDOMS OF SPEECH.
7 posted on 09/21/2004 9:59:21 AM PDT by JudgemAll
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What a surprise, given his track record of campaign victories...oh wait. I was thinking of someone else.
FORGET MY VOTING RECORD!
Apparently Keyes' last race.
Well, it's not like the 1st Amendment is absolute, is it? Does it say anywhere in there that people have a right to ask members of the public for their opinions?
good points!
Keyes makes a good point in that polls are seeming to be the substitute for voters' brains during the election year.
It would make for *much* more interesting debate of actual issues if polls did not exist.
When he loses the election, well he be demanding a ban on voting?
Kommie Kerry, hater of the free speeking and everything un-Kerry.
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