I do not like a couple of Keyes positions, but HECK! I was forced to tolerate all liberal Republican primetime speakers at the convention. I like their positions even less. This "don't bash a Republican" seems to work only one direction. We are supposed to give up the fight on protecting marriage becuase we might hurt the feelings of a half-way Republican? I don't think so. Hedonism is not a word invented by Keyes, and he didn't actually apply it to Mary Cheney himself. It was a connection made by the interviewer and Keyes responded "by definition, yes."
I don't think it's bashing to say I think he was a bad choice, and I don't think it's bashing to say he's taking some stances that seem pretty weird. While you may be correct that Keyes was set up by a leftwing interviewer, he was perhaps less than adequately adroit in dealing with the question. In fairness, the Illinois republicans did not have any very good choices. Lamentably, Keyes will be crushed decisively, and will probably hurt President Bush's chances in Illinois (which weren't good to begin with).