Posted on 10/22/2004 12:49:10 PM PDT by Jim Robinson
CHICAGO -- U.S. Senate candidates Barack Obama and Alan Keyes clashed with energy Thursday night in a debate that focused on local legislative issues and personal faith.
ABC-7 news anchor Ron Magers moderated the debate, sponsored by the League of Women Voters of Illinois and a panel of three local journalists questioned the candidates. The candidates also had the opportunity to ask each other one question.
Abortion featured prominently as a differentiating issue between the candidates. Republican candidate Keyes is against abortion in all cases. Keyes also quoted statistics on disproportionately high rates of abortion among African American women.
"(Abortion) has killed 13 million black babies since Roe v. Wade," said Keyes. "(That's) 25 percent of the black population today."
When asked about how faith played into his life, Obama said it plays a role in his decisions, but he does not want to impose it on the state.
"I'm not running to be the minister of Illinois," Obama said. "I'm running to be the senator of Illinois."
The panel of journalists also focused on gun control, in particular referring to Obama's voting record in the Illinois State Senate. Obama referred to the recent expiration of the assault weapon ban in the U.S. Congress and his continued support for gun control.
"It helps when they don't have an assault weapon with them when they shoot into that crowd," Obama said.
Keyes said he wanted to ensure that citizens have the right to defend themselves.
"Law abiding citizens should have a right to bear arms," he said.
(Excerpt) Read more at dailynorthwestern.com ...
I disagree: Law abiding citizens should CONTINUE to have a right to bear arms.
I brilliant correction....
Keyes had the better arguments....the better logic too. However, that will no doubt be lost on the majority of dems.
Give me a break.
As if Keyes didn't mean that also.
Of course, I never said he didn't.
Thanks JR for the post. I am always interested in this race. Go Keyes!
"I'm not running to be the minister of Illinois," Obama said. "I'm running to be the senator of Illinois."
Classic straw argument.
"Correction" implies Keyes was wrong in the first place.
When it comes down to it, both statements mean the same thing.
I watched it on C-Span last night. I was so proud of Alan Keyes . . . and someone told him to smile more. He was GREAT!!!!!!!!!! Obama looks anorexic/sickly.
His smile blasts me out of my seat. In a good way, of course. :-)
I thought it was a great correction to the statement. Still do.
Okay. I suppose there are better things to argue over. :-)
Keyes is awesome. He needs to take off the kid gloves though. Seemed like he was holding back.
I haven't followed this race too closely. Does Keyes have a chance? The last I heard he was trailing.
The debates will help Keyes a bit with the polls, make things a bit closer but he probably won't get enough poll swing in the next ten days to make a difference.
I'll bet the "13 million black babies aborted" statement was an eye opener to some blacks at least...though sadly again, not enough to make a difference!
by about 50 or 60 points
Obama looked like a man who had received secret and very bad polling data.
He looks a lot better when he flashes his 'pearlies.' He only did it once. All his other smiles were suppressed. When he flashes his teeth, it's another way of saying, "Top THAT, sucka!"
Thank you for the synopsis of the Obama-Keyes debate. No more Comcast for me, but I did see the first debate where
Mr. Keyes waxed brilliantly on all subjects and Obama weakly reiterated everything Keyes had said. Anyone
with any grey matter watching that debate should champion Alan Keyes. He's head and shoulders above Obama.
Sorry I missed the second debate but I'll say a little prayer that his time has come.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.