What is missing in your analysis is the demonstrable fact that the "message" of Alan Keyes consists almost exclusively in the Declaration, the Constitution, and the ideals of our Founding Fathers. There is no substantive difference. In fact, you couldn't find in all America an individual whose "message"--basic views, insights, and observations--is more consistent with the vision of our Founders than Alan Keyes.
Just as important--you couldn't find an individual who is more skilled or persuasive in communicating what it means to be an American than Alan Keyes.
It is Alan's unimpeachable knowledge of America's foundational ideals that makes his "message" worth disseminating throughout our nation. I am baffled that anyone could find fault with a positive movement to preserve our nation through spreading the Declarationist message of Dr. Keyes. If someone has a better alternative, I'd like to hear it.
Again--just as your quotations from RenewAmerica.tv reveal--it is the MESSAGE of Alan Keyes that we are interested in, not the man.
Not that he's not admirable, exemplary, or worthy to lead. He's all that and more, I have found, as have others who have firsthand knowledge of him.
Please read the rest of the Strategic Plan and the companion Handbook. They're all about unleashing the creativity and independence of people at the grassroots to make a difference in strengthening America. For such a movement to be effective, however, it must have a leader, one who is unassailable as a role model for Declarationists and Constitutionalists. I repeat what I said earlier--a movement without a leader has no power to change anything. That is one of the clearest lessons of history.
I invite every patriotic citizen to get involved in our work. The purpose of RenewAmerica is to promote our country--not Alan Keyes.
I repeat what I said earlier--a movement without a leader has no power to change anything. That is one of the clearest lessons of history. Who, then, would you list as THE leader of the Revolution?
I think more important than the leader is the IDEA...or the IDEAL...being aimed for. If the leader is the all-important thing, without him or her the movement falls apart. If the IDEA or GOAL is the most important thing, then as long as all members have the same goal and are working toward it, the movement continues.
If Renew[ing] America depends upon Alan Keyes, then if (heaven forbid) he were killed in a plane crash tomorrow, our country is doomed. If it depends solely on returning to the ideas and ideals of our Founding Fathers, THOSE are the basis of the movement, not who says what about them.
My other point, you will call "bashing", but before you dismiss it as such, please hear me out. The other problem with Alan Keyes as leader is that he offends many people - note Joe Brower's post above in which he says "Some people think he's overbearing, condescending, whatever. Well grow a skin." You can see in the early posts on this thread that even Symix - and Dr. Keyes has no greater fan than Symix! - thought on the first viewing that Dr. Keyes was rude to his guest on the show last night.
Symix later changed his mind & said his first impression was incorrect, but you know from reading these threads that others have gotten the same impression - and for some, the first impression is the one they carry forever.
I know that no one person can appeal to everyone, but beginning a movement with someone who impresses many as rude, condescending, or arrogant is dooming that movement to failure.
Better, IMHO, to tie the movement to IDEAS, or to SEVERAL leaders, than to one man.