CPAC 2004: ALAN KEYES' SPEECH

Renew America website ^ | January 24, 2004 | Dr. Alan Keyes

[goldstategop]

We have to stand for what's right - Chief Justice Roy Moore would not give him his right to acknowledge God and the question was posed three times by none other than Bill Pryor! I keep being reminded of the saying, "what doth it profit a man that he should gain the whole world and lose his soul?" When it came to principles and integrity, the Chief Justice of Alabama kept his soul and gave up the world. He refused to abuse the authority and trust the people of his state gave him. He is the Thomas More Of Our Age. It takes lot to be true to your conscience. I'm sure Pryor purchased a federal judgeship but only at the cost of selling his soul for it. So Freepers and Friends, we can only remain conservatives if we stand up for what we believe in - and we should we willing to pay the price for championing the age-old ideal of liberty and government of, for and by the people.

[Byron_the_Aussie]

I couldn't agree more.

The only reason we enjoy these freedoms is because of the sacrifice of those who've gone before. We have a duty to continue their fight, and anyone who shirks their duty is a person without honour. I note from the CPAC thread that Dr Keyes' speech was very well received by the attendees. It's inspiring to see that he still has the fire of principle burning within. Best regards, Byron

[IronJack]

How long do you think that this movement's going to survive as a viable cause, when we pretend to know what we believe, but are willing to sacrifice and betray on the alter [sic] of political expediency those who have dedicated heart and life throughout their careers to a consistent championing of the conservative cause?

A fair question. Yellow-dog Republicans revel in a philosophy that says "I'll shoot myself in the head so the enemy can't kill me."

[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.

[4CJ]

I have heard the arguments. A matter of fact, I, sadly, have been the victim of those arguments from time to time. You know, "Well, we gotta win, and so-and-so can't win, and therefore it's the lesser of evils. We gotta vote for the lesser of evils"--forgetting, as we often want to do, that the lesser of evils is evil still; that, at the end of the day, you keep voting for the lesser of evils, and you will find yourself lost in evil with no way to get back!

They supported Justice Roy Moore too. </sarcasm> Kudos to Dr. Keyes - spot on.

[Byron_the_Aussie]

Committed conservatives make this Administration uncomfortable, Jack. Winning has become more important than actually accomplishing something. That's why Roy Moore got about as much support from the White House as the Border Patrol.

[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.

[tcuoohjohn]

Yes...reminiscent of the " call and response" form of evangelical preachers. Only Keyes provides both sides of the call and response. Strikes me as an odd form for political speech. I wonder if he might do better by selecting a more traditional style. I find it a bit unnerving..not the content but the delivery. Seems a bit "nutball" as I said. The only other politicians I have heard use the style were George Wallace, William Jennings Bryan, and Al Sharpton.

[tcuoohjohn]

I have heard Keyes several times. As I noted it isn't the content. It is the strange style. Many people have noted it as unique among politicians.

Perhaps I am just used to a more traditional, less histrionic style. Over ebullience can be seen as emotional instability....just ask Howard Dean...LOL

[tcuoohjohn]

Well...Presentation, like it or not, is an element of practical politics. Even the most profound and reasoned argument has little effect if it is oddly delivered. Particularly in the age of electronic media. Keyes style would have been entirely appropriate in 1925. Not sure it works well now.

[tcuoohjohn]

Yes...that captures it well. Highly stylized and affected. Seems inauthentic or something. Perhaps he picked it up during his academic days or from speech classes. A touch of the bombastic.

[The_Eaglet]

Bump for further review

[fatso]

GOD Bless you Alan Keyes

[Itzlzha]

Perhaps I am just used to a more traditional, less histrionic style. Over ebullience can be seen as emotional instability....just ask Howard Dean...LOL

What you may be used to, if I may...is the programming by the Lamestream Media, and LIEberals that has castrated the "Conservative" cause by demanding "decorum and civilty" while they rail and gnash their teeth at every Conseravtive they ever see.

I have had enough of the "Country-Club" mentality, and civility above principles!

It's FAR past the time we as "Conservatives" take up the Battle Flag, and move forward...no matter the opposition!

Because I can assure you, the opposition ALSO comes from within the (R) Party, and those whipped dogs that heel to their masters in the media and in academia...and have NO principles other than getting elected and Re-elected! The Arlen Specter/Bob Michel crow, if you will!

Remember, if someone does not like you, despite your best efforts to appease them, it is then time to tell them where to go, how to get there, and provide TRANSPORT if necessary!

LIEberals WILL not fight fair, nor will they allow a "Conservative" to get a fair chance if the can ever help it...so we need to start riding roughshod over their excuses and whines and resistance....all to the betterment of the American Culture. Conservatives WIN when they do not panmder/waffle/listen to the squish Moderates and LIEberals!

That is what might be bothering you...the sense of bombast and enthusiasm that comes from following principles...not Party dogma and expediency!

[Byron_the_Aussie]

...perhaps I am just used to a more traditional, less histrionic style...

Clinton style, perhaps?

It's your preference for style over substance that puts his kind in the White House. Grow up.