[tcuoohjohn]

When I read the text of Keyes comments he seems knowledgable, articulate, and well reasoned. But when I see him speak his delivery is strange and bizarre. It just screams " nutball" to me. First time I have encountered this phenomenon. Anybody else have this reaction to Keyes?

[goldstategop]

Dr. Keyes does sound like a preacher at a Southern Baptist tent revival meeting. Funny thing is he's a Catholic. He's a great conservative but the way he delivers an address may not be to every one's tastes.

[Byron_the_Aussie]

..it just screams " nutball" to me. First time I have encountered this phenomenon...

Then maybe you ought to listen to a second speech, before passing such a harsh and inaccurate judgement.

[the invisib1e hand]

Anybody else have this reaction to Keyes?

I've never seen him speak but the first time I heard him was during the dark days of Clinton and I thought his speech was manna from heaven -- his text and the conviction with which he delivered it.

I think 'nutcase' or whatever is a term that should be reserved for maniacal characters screaming with a thinly veiled anti-social rage; Howard Dean is this generation's poster boy for that, in the tradition of the master, Adolph Hitler.

[MSSC6644]

Your reaction is similar to that of anyone who finds himself face to face with conviction based on reason. Keyes is very much like those he describes. As far as I know, he's never yielded, and he's allowed himself to be impugned and belittled; but he keeps spreading the message as best he can.

You're reacting not to what he says, but how he says it. Think about that and what it says about your own understanding of and dedication to the conservative cause.

(Off to work.)

[Huck]

Yes. I think they're called affectations.

[LisaFab]

I saw Dr. Keyes deliver this speech Saturday morning at CPAC and I could swear I was in church! That is his style...part statesman, part preacher. I'll tell ya, he had more than one RINO squirming in that hall!

[browardchad]

Anybody else have this reaction to Keyes?

I've never seen Keyes speak in person, but he had a short-lived TV show on MSNBC a while back, and he was the most articulate spokesperson for conservatism I've ever heard. Idiosyncratic? yes. "Nutball?" -- not even close.

[leprechaun9]

I went to a conference a couple of years ago where Alan Keyes was the Keynote Speaker. I arrived early because my trip was much shorter than I expected. I was about the fifth person there (eventually there were 350 in the audience).

I sat near the front and within a few minutes Alan came in and asked me if the seat next to me was taken. I said no and he sat down. Then I recognized him and introduced myself.

We spoke one-on-one for about 15 minutes before one of the organizers came over and escorted him to the podium.

My discussion with him was enjoyable and intellectually stimulating. He made me feel at ease. After the talk, I got his book "Masters of the Dream" and also enjoyed it. I suspect that not many of the Negro "Leaders" have read it.

When I listen to a talk, sometimes I close my eyes and not only hear, but listen. There is a distinction! I have a friend who taught me that a long time ago and I find it very useful because I am totally focused on what is being said. By the way my friend is blind!

[IronJack]

I have had the distinct pleasure of hearing Dr. Keyes several times, and meeting him in person a number of times as well. I'm not sure what there is about his delivery that speaks to you, but his earnestness and cogency are beyond question. Frankly, I'd like to see him as the spiritual leader of the conservative movement. Because we sure as heck need one!

[PISANO]

I on the other hand often find myself mesmorized by this man's words and delivery. IMHO his is truly inspiring, especially in person. What makes many 'uncomfortable' is that in this world of greys, political correctness, sensitivity to others 'feelings', one who is as straight forward and principled as Dr. Keyes, seems to come of as 'different'.

In this day and age to be 'different' means to be out of the 'mainstream' and if you are out of the mainstream then you are a NUT JOB, Racist, BIGOT, HOMOPHOBE; and listening and watching someone like that makes many "FEEL" uncomfortable.

[Antoninus]

When I read the text of Keyes comments he seems knowledgable, articulate, and well reasoned. But when I see him speak his delivery is strange and bizarre. It just screams " nutball" to me. First time I have encountered this phenomenon. Anybody else have this reaction to Keyes?

Most people have the opposite reaction. Keyes is often belittled as an "orator": someone who can deliver a great speech but is short on intellect and ability otherwise. I've never heard him described as a "nutball," except by the odd incognito pro-abortion lunatic who will do whatever it takes to silence him.

In truth, he is a passionate and captivating speaker. Even his enemies admit as much and they fear him. He is an excellent debater and won every one of the GOP debates in 2000--except the one where George W. Bush answered "Christ" when asked which philosopher had the most influence on him.

Santorum/Keyes in 2008!

[varina davis]

No. I think he is mesmerizing. But then I like old fashioned religion.