Posted on 08/07/2004 7:24:44 PM PDT by Graybeard58
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. - At one point during last week's Republican leadership gathering in Chicago, the debate over conservative activist Alan Keyes grew so contentious that journalists standing outside the closed doors heard - and reported - the shouting.
The Illinois Republican State Central Committee later barred reporters from the entire floor where they were meeting to choose their party's new candidate for the U.S. Senate.
But with Keyes' candidacy likely to become official Sunday, it will be much tougher for Republican leaders to hide the internal strife in their divided party.
On Wednesday night the committee formally asked Keyes - a former United Nations ambassador and two-time presidential candidate who has never lived in Illinois - to run against Democratic candidate Barack Obama for Illinois' open Senate seat. All indications are that Keyes will accept, kicking off his campaign Sunday at a Chicago-area rally.
Keyes will replace Jack Ryan, whom Republicans nominated in the primaries for the Senate. Ryan bowed out of the race last month amid embarrassing sexual allegations.
While Keyes' candidacy solves one problem for the GOP, it generates another: His far-right views on most major issues will, once again, highlight the deep fissure in the Illinois GOP between moderates - like former Govs. Jim Edgar and James Thompson - and the more conservative wing, which has been trying for years to move the party rightward.
"The state party is divided in the same way the national party is divided. The difference in Illinois is that the more moderate branch tends to run the board," noted political scientist John S. Jackson of Southern Illinois University Carbondale. "The hard-right decided they wanted this ... but it will magnify the fault lines" with moderates.
Shouts and silence
The first rumblings of that fault line were heard through the cl
(Excerpt) Read more at stltoday.com ...
Well let's see...based on your own logic as I've read it on this board:
Keyes is The Party's candidate; your criticism at this point can only help elect Obama. You're either with us or against us. In short, your actions are helping to hand the Senate over to the Democrats, which would be a clear victory for terrorists.
The sources are very important under the circumstances. It also empowers Keyes' supporters with then information needed. Personally, I'm going to try to track down some info, but it would sure be helpful if david provide details as to where he got his information. Again, it helps all us Keyes supporters.
You're arguing about a fait accomli. The GOP drafted him. He meets the constitutional requirements, and who can doubt that he will represent Illinois and our country better than Obama?
That's all that matters now.
Question for you?
Were or are you associated with the Keyes Orgainzation either campaigns/foundations in some capacity? Maybe comptroller, finanace, etc?
Howlin: Then don't be so offended when others have their own viewpoints about your candidate.
Killing children is hardly just one of many legitimate "viewpoints".
If you have about a year and a half, perhaps someone who knows this stuff can walk you through it. There are a mere handful of such individuals in the country...so good luck finding one of them who has a year and a half to spare. ;-)
Meanwhile, know this...David nailed the nub of it as succinctly as is humanly possible to do.
The campaign debt issue is not real...it is the product of byzantine FEC requirements.
And the tax issue was a misunderstanding that was solved immediately upon its discovery.
Regards.
Really.
2000-07-27 - Keyes Ends Campaign, Yet to Endorse Bush Reuters
Talk-radio host Alan Keyes will officially end his long-shot campaign for the Republican presidential nomination next week, but aides said the articulate conservative has not decided whether to endorse Texas Gov. George W. Bush.
I see. I found this little quote here and here.
Now, do you suppose you could apologize for calling me a liar when I said "after the primaries it took Keyes a little while to decide whether or not he was going to support GWB"?
Mail sent.
I'll add this...
Every RINO in this party is duty bound to go to the polls and pull the lever for Alan Keyes. He's the Republican candidate. And this is the same logic that they were using to hammer people with reservations about voting for (R)nold.
Think they will follow their own advice when the shoe is on the other foot?
Nah.
You've got some work to do; you need to go on every thread on FR and inform all those criticizing Bush the same thing.
You are correct that he would be better from IL than Obama, however, if I were an IL voter, I don't know that I could vote him since he was not from my home state. Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying I would vote for the Democrat in this instance, but I don't think I would vote for Mr. Keyes either...la
You're reduced to believing Reuters over conservative FReeper eyewitnesses?
Weak. Sorry.
You have raised parochialism to the same stature as morality.
Fact is, precious few Senators live in the states they 'represent'.
They live in Washington.
If you, or someone like you, decides to withhold support from the good Doctor, based on where they're from, rather than where they are coming from, you will be helping Barack Obama be from Washington.
Apparently, Keyes' friends were supposed to be paid by the campaign, but the campaign didn't make enough money to pay them. Since they were supposed to be getting a salary, they can't now forego it and say that was okay, or they'd have donated more in time and treasure to the campaign than laws allow, correct?
And the tax issue was a misunderstanding that was solved immediately upon its discovery.
According to this article, the state filed a tax lien against Keyes' home in 2001 because of that tax issue, but it was only paid off last Friday. Also, I don't think tax liens are filed without giving people a chance to work out issues, are they?
They were quoting Connie Hair. Do you think she lied?
Yes, you are correct, many do live in Washington, but before they are elected, most live in the states they will represent.
I also agree that by not voting for Keyes, it would assist Obama, this is why I am glad I do not have to make that decision.
I do however see it as hypocritical of the GOP to get someone from out of state to run in IL, with all of the complaints that were made during Hilary's run in New York.
Hillary did at least buy a house in New York before announcing her candidacy, didn't she?
No more than when the press secretary for the President spins to protect him from the sharks in the press corps who are carrying the Left's water.
Have fun, I have work to do to beat Democrats. If you want to continue to nitpick at Republican candidates and waste people's time, that's your prerogative.
But I don't have any more time for it today.
Later.
The Clintons bought a house in New York in September of 1999.
Illinois woud be served well by such a brilliant man.
I can only hope that it comes to pass.
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