Posted on 04/13/2008 8:26:43 PM PDT by Kurt Evans
Former Republican presidential candidate Alan Keyes has chosen April 15 to make a major announcement of his intentions, following indications he has broken with the GOP.
A life-long Republican who has increasingly cited the party's failure to match conservative rhetoric with actual performance in the political arena, Keyes said he will reveal his reasons for departing the GOP at a press conference scheduled for 8:30 pm ET, at the Best Western Genetti Inn in Hazleton, PA.
The event will be video-streamed live at Keyes' website, www.AlanKeyes.com.
Keyes added that he is looking to the Constitution Party as a possible home for his future efforts in politics, including a potential run for president in the 2008 general election.
"No other 'third party' is as well-established as the Constitution Party," said Keyes. "They've been around since 1992, and have built a significant grassroots presence among patriotic, Constitution-minded citizens — with a registered membership of over 350,000. Conservatives have a home in the CP that they can find nowhere else, given the decline in the Republican Party's credibility as a voice and vehicle for conservatism."
Regarding his potential third-party candidacy for president in the fall, Keyes said, "I believe people deserve a choice. They certainly deserve a conservative choice — something neither John McCain, Hillary Clinton, nor Barack Obama can offer voters. All they can offer is empty promises based on liberal track records."
Symbolic of Keyes' break with the Republican Party is a caricature of the GOP logo — upside down — on the front page of his website.
The Constitution Party will hold its nominating convention April 23-26 in Kansas City.
According to Dan Smeriglio, a Keyes supporter who is helping to arrange the event, the former Reagan administration diplomat chose to make his announcement in Hazleton because of the town's strong stance on illegal immigration.
"I understand a good portion of his speech next week will center on illegal immigration," Smeriglio said. Smeriglio and a group he represents, Voice of the People USA, have been vocal in opposing illegal immigration since Hazleton Mayor Lou Barletta introduced the Illegal Immigration Relief Act in 2006 — thrusting Hazleton into national prominence in the movement to stem illegal immigration.
Keyes — who has a Ph.D. in government from Harvard and wrote his dissertation on constitutional theory — served as Reagan's Assistant Secretary of State for International Organizations, as well as Ambassador to the United Nations Economic and Social Council, where he represented U.S. interests in the UN General Assembly.
He gave an amazing gun rights speech on Monday at the state capitol in Harrisburg, PA. The link to the video is here:
http://www.alankeyes.com/emails.php?id=11
Saturday, he gave another stem-winder to the FairTax Rally that was held in Nashville, followed by a great sermon at Cornerstone Church. I don’t have a link to those speeches yet, though I know they were recorded.
The Republican Party turned on him and his principles, not the other way around.
They’ve Whigged out. Face it.
It’s too late, my friend.
Then why was he seeking the Republican nomination until recently?. He's just a sore loser. Good riddance!
Good riddance!
Another wonderful McCain campaign slogan.
might make a good Arthur Murray dance instructor though
Keyes was brought in to cover for the loss of Jack Ryan, who was done in by the Chicago tribune , for propositioning his own wife for sex.
Keyes seems to think that he has not done enough to help Obama.
He IS a good man. A great speaker. Principled, Conservative, Classy.
Being in NY, most election years I would actually have voted for him given that the Demodog for president wins by more than 10% of the vote. However, given the latest Marist poll showing that McCain and the Demodog are nearly even in NYState, it is actually possible this year (at this time) that my single vote could be the difference between McCain and the Demodog winning.
Under no circumstances if it is even close will I risk making such a stupid choice.
I still like hearing the man speak, though, and I will always wish him well.
Thanks!
Even though I disagree with you on your choice for Pres, I just wanted to say hi! How’s it going, old FRiend?
Living life one day at a time my FRiend.
He is wrong on defense and he is wrong on trade
Dear AFPhys -
There’s nothing stupid about seeing the Republicans and Democrats as having failed this nation miserably. I’m glad Alan Keyes is still running, and I will do my best to encourage others to listen to what he has to say. The many months between now and the election will go fast. But lots can happen quick in politics. Keyes can win this election.
I’m one
BRAVO!
Alan who?
I am a veteran worker of the only Senatorial campaign to have placed a third party candidate in office during the last hundred years: James Buckley, 1970. So, I am fully aware of such possibilities. However, though many similar conditions are present now, and though I supported Keyes in the past, I’m quite skeptical here. And fearful.
Nothing would be worse than to have Hitlery or BHO win this fall due to Keyes siphoning off sufficient of support that would otherwise have gone to McCain, however reluctantly.
In fact, even if he demonstrated sufficient strength in NY that it polled D:36,R:35,C:29 - still, I would vote for McCain. He would actually have to be polling ahead of the D for me to pull the lever for him instead of McCain this year. (Or for McCain to be hopelessly behind the D - incredibly enough, I believe that there is no chance for that to happen unless someone like Keyes were to disrupt this election.)
Dr.Keyes is far & above better than McCain, Clinton and certainly Obama.
Who says he couldn't win?....don't factor out God.
It's already too late. We're screwed no matter who gets selected to be the next POTUS......
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