Obama is Alive and Hiding in.....Pakistan? (Serious vanity...:-)

EV | September 28th, 2004 | EV

[Howlin]

So I gather.

[malakhi]

It is, because it is a 'gotcha' question intended for the purpose of tearing down Keyes, which is exactly what you are doing.

It's only a "gotcha" if the answer to the question is "no".

It is certainly something I would consider were I a voter in Illinois.

[Nan48]

Everybody's ignoring the link I posted. So, I guess I'll have to post the whole thing.

---

http://www.illinoisleader.com

THOMAS: Embarrassed for Republican Obama supporters
Wednesday, September 29, 2004

By Scott Thomas (admin@illinoisleader.com)

OPINION -- Does Alan Keyes embarrass you?

Here’s why I ask.

I just returned from a mission trip to Kenya. I was accompanied on this trip by about a dozen conservative Christian radio talk show hosts from around the country. From Washington, DC to San Francisco, and many points in between, a true cross section of conservative America was represented. We had some lively discussions packed into cramped vans driving between Masai churches in the Great Rift Valley.

When talk radio hosts get together, ultimately we wind up comparing notes on show content, style, guests and issues. I was excited to announce that on the Friday I was away, Alan Keyes was guest hosting my show. I enthusiastically shared what an honor it was for me to have such a magnificent conservative Christian apologist guest host my program. My enthusiasm was not roundly returned.

Rather, I saw several pairs of eyes roll up, some muttering, and then one of my talk brethren ask the question that, apparently, was on the minds and tongue tips of many of the others.

“Aren’t you embarrassed by Alan Keyes?”

I was taken aback by the question.

“No, I quickly responded, “Alan Keyes is brilliant.”

“Then why does he say so many stupid things?” came the reply.

So, one by one, we went through his list of “stupid” things Alan has said. You know the ones . . . reparations, "selfish hedonists," etc. I asked my fellow conservative Christians to pinpoint exactly what Alan Keyes had said with which they disagreed.

As expected, and as I’ve written before, there was disagreement with his creative approach to the issue of reparations for slavery. I admitted that, on this issue, I disagree with Alan Keyes, but I would hardly characterize his unique proposition as stupid. Quite the opposite. Of all the reparations talk I’ve heard, the Keyes approach makes the most sense, not enough to sway me on the issue, but enough to show that this guy is a keen thinker.

Beyond the reparations issue, further discussion revealed that most of these talk show hosts hadn’t heard the entirety of Alan’s comments on any of the issues to which they were referring when characterizing him as “stupid”. In fact, I could not find one of these guys who fundamentally disagree with Alan’s spot on conservative Christian positions.

Rather, as it turns out, their issue is over style not substance, headlines not complete stories, perception not reality. Confronted with the total scope of the thoughts and public comments of Alan Keyes, they found very little to disagree with, nothing to call “stupid," although the consensus was that Alan’s willingness to answer every question asked by reporters was likely political suicide.

I suppose they’re right. The proof apparently lies in the recent Chicago Tribune voters' poll, as published by Illinois Leader Monday. 35 percent of registered Illinois Republicans will vote for Barack Obama instead of Alan Keyes. This gives Mr. Obama an astounding 51% edge in the overall race. I can only conclude that these 35% are, in fact, embarrassed by Alan Keyes’ honesty and bold style.

Sadly, it would appear that embarrassment has more political influence than does a candidate’s stance on issues.

Being embarrassed by headlines, like the one that connects selfish hedonist homosexuality to the Vice President’s daughter, appears to allow you to justify, in your mind, voting for Barack Obama who has promised to work to repeal the Defense of Marriage Act, voted consistently against legislation that defends the pre-born and even infants born alive, has called the war in Iraq a "diversion” orchestrated by Karl Rove to keep American eyes off of real domestic problems, and has a legislative record of being a classic tax and spend liberal.

35 percent of Illinois Republicans are willing to cast a vote endorsing all that instead of supporting a candidate who shares your values, but expresses himself a little too bombastically for your taste.

To those 35 percent I ask, “Could you be any more shallow?” You would rather vote for someone who’s soft spoken and wrong than someone who’s outspoken and right? Style over substance?

As a conservative, as a Republican, are you so embarrassed by Alan Keyes that you’d really vote for Barack Obama?

Then I’m embarrassed for you.

© 2004 IllinoisLeader.com -- all rights reserved
_______

What are your thoughts concerning the issues raised in this commentary? Write a letter to the editor at letters@illinoisleader.com, and include your name and town.

---

Radio talk show host Scott Thomas
[Scott Thomas hosts WYLL 1160 AM's afternoon drive home show from 3 to 5 PM each weekday. Thomas returned last year to radio after twenty years in the business arena. He is now studying to be a pastor. Scott regularly features Illinois Leader.com contributors on his show.]

[EternalVigilance]

He was on President Reagan's policy team.

You've heard of him, right?

Alan headed up the Reagan alumni group at one time, actually.

You think maybe some of those folks have some influence?

[Howlin]

No matter how many articles you post, real conservatives do NOT believe in reparations, no matter how you twist the definition.

[DaughterOfAnIwoJimaVet]

I think you may be giving Alan Keyes undue credit by labeling Bush's policies using Keyes' name.

[Nan48]

That's why I don't put a lot of stock in anybody's poll.

[RedBloodedAmerican]

http://www.streamload.com/archpundit/keyesjacobson.wmv

[malakhi]

Keyesian? LOL

It's Alan's world, the rest of us just live here. ;o)

[Howlin]

So, in the last 12 years, what has he done directly with groups who influence and/or make foreign policy in the Bush administration?

And I am sure you know I do not mean speeches posted on his web site.

[DaughterOfAnIwoJimaVet]

Heh. So is President Bush, apparently.

[malakhi]

Thanks rather ironic, when it is you who is attacking our Republican candidate five weeks out from a general election.

Were he running a credible campaign, I would have no cause to criticize him.

[Howlin]

Alan Keyes talks about George Bush a lot; but I've never heard George Bush mention Alan Keyes, have you?

[EternalVigilance]

Actually, it's a huge compliment to the President.

He and Alan are almost entirely on the same page on foreign policy, defense and security issues.

[DaughterOfAnIwoJimaVet]

I guess! LOL

[RedBloodedAmerican]

I want this man for President.

[EternalVigilance]

Were he running a credible campaign, I would have no cause to criticize him.

Ah, so it's Keyes fault that you all won't just shut up and help us beat Obama...I see...

[Nan48]

I really have to laugh. This reparations thing is so blown out of proportion. Alan Keyes was simply asked what he would do about reparations, since the liberals are trying to extort this from the public through government handouts or whatever. Alan Keyes felt that the common sense thing would be to give tax breaks, IF the public sees the need to give reparations. It's up to the people to decide.

He in no way out campaigning for reparations, when his central theme has always been to eliminate the federal income tax altogether.

I have to run. I'll pick this up later.

[DaughterOfAnIwoJimaVet]

Never. Not once. In fact, I can't think of a single high-profile Republican I've heard talking about Keyes in quite some time, except concerning the Dick/Mary Cheney Incident™.

[malakhi]

Ah, so it's Keyes fault that you all won't just shut up

Yes, that is precisely it.