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All Keyes has done is pointed out the inconsistencies in Bush's decision. That's where Keyes' criticism lies.

With all due respect, I don't believe this is true. I've seen and heard plenty of Alan Keyes - and he is by no stretch of the imagination a Bush supporter. All I am suggesting is that there is no reason why his competitive, condescending behavior should earn him a seat at the Bush conference table.

For the most part, I have no problem with him - although I think he is completely unelectable, divisive, and at times comes dangerously close to the Windbag Zone - I actually do enjoy him in certain contexts. Having said that, I believe Bush is absolutely right to ignore him.

Thanks for the reasoned response. I appreciate your disagreeing without insulting me personally.

With all due respect, I don't believe this is true. I've seen and heard plenty of Alan Keyes - and he is by no stretch of the imagination a Bush supporter. All I am suggesting is that there is no reason why his competitive, condescending behavior should earn him a seat at the Bush conference table.

Thanks for you respect, likewise.

I think it's great that you care about Keyes' opinion enough to be a close watcher of his. But you'll have to have noticed that Keyes' criticism of Bush is nearly always limited to the stem cell decision. The only exception I've seen is way back in the China/spy-plane dilemma, when he was worried that we were giving in to China's demands in what was essentially a hostage situation.

But these are merely disagreements over the President's policies. I hope we don't think that speaking out against an offensive action by our President qualifies a person as a Bush-basher, or that when we disagree with our government official, we are taking personal "pot-shots."

I know in politics there is the tendency to think of things as a battle of personalities, like a high-school popularity contest. That, I think, puts us in situation where we care more about external things, such as how a guy looks or talks, rather than whether what that guy is advocating is good for the country.

That's a tendency we need to overcome if we are to prevent another Clinton-like presidency in the future, I believe.

I appreciate your disagreeing without insulting me personally

This is a fine thing, to disagree without insult. You might think about applying the same standard to your remarks about Keyes.

In any event, he and President Bush are on the same page about this war's not being a religious war. That might move us all to more moderate and kindly speech.

Best to you,

Richard F.

"I've seen and heard plenty of Alan Keyes - and he is by no stretch of the imagination a Bush supporter."

Keyes has come out publicly stating that he is not a Bush Republican (whatever that means).