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 ...
Just wondered why you were wasting your time.
“I deeply resent the destruction of federalism represented by Hillary Clinton's willingness to go into a state she doesn't even live in and pretend to represent people there, so I certainly wouldn't imitate it."
Alan Keyes, 2000
Then you should be nagging at others on this thread besides me; including the ones who are pushing the "Who are you going to believe, me or your lying eyes" with regard to Keyes' remarks on Hillary Clinton.
Yep, Keyes was either overly hyperbolic in his criticism of Hillary or he's since changed his mind. A pretty minor issue regardless of which explanation is accurate.
I'm not arguing with any of that; in fact, I agree with some of it.
Unfortuately, you'll never get to that until Keyes makes a statement explaining why he's decided to go back on his own words.
Hey, the man isn't perfect. But by your own logic, we must support the Republican candidate without criticism. Anything less is working against the future of our country. Right?
I've never said without criticism; those are your words.
Just because I don't criticize Bush for every single thing I don't agree with him about doesn't mean I'm a lockstepper.
He's my candidate; I've never made any bones about it; he's not perfect, but I did not expect him to be.
I'm not a one issue voter; I'm more pragmatic than that; or as you would probably say "in the mushy middle."
I just find it hiliarous that those who defended Keyes when he called Bush evil and bragged about not being a Bush Republican now are up on their high horses believing their candidate should get a pass.
I say let by gones be by gones. The most important thing is to remember who the real political adversary is, Obama.
Alan Keyes will bring national attention to this race and will not let Obama skirt to a coronation as being portrayed as a moderate. Obama will have to show his true political self.
RALLY FOR KEYES
Come out this Sunday as Amb. Alan Keyes holds an official rally in Arlington Heights.
For those who want to come out and show their support, the rally will begin at 2:00 p.m. and will be held at the Wellington restaurant located at 2121 S. Arlington Heights Rd.
See you there!
We already are 'to that'. You just haven't realized it yet.
I agree 100 percent; although I've been called a Obama supporter because I question Keyes.
I sure hope that these same RULES will apply to everything George Bush does from now to the election.
Somehow I doubt it.
Really?
What did Keyes say?
You going to the rally this afternoon?
Well said.
Wonderful assessment!!
Yep. Crossed three states since this thread started. ;-)
Fair enough. I agree...
I do have one question though. Howlin, regarding your other post: Did Keyes really call Bush "evil"?
I just hope the RULES apply to Alan. I don't particularly appreciate being held to a higher standard than he has been.
At least, the Party has diverse opinions and can be divided!!
What a contrast to the other Party which has squelched the voices of all but the most Radical Left and organized its entire effort around the PHILOSOPHY OF HATE for the current President!
I'm sitting here wonder what the rules will be regarding what we are permitted to say when Keyes bashes Bush.
Because he will.
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