GOP chooses Keyes; is this 'The Simpsons,' or what? / GOP turns serious race into a sideshow

Star Newspapers (Chicago) ^ | Sunday, August 8, 2004 | Tom Houlihan / Star editors

[Ironsman]

One thing for certain. The debates are going to be something to watch!

[NewLand]

"I think Keyes will turn what would have been an "unwinable" race into a contest."

This is a bad move for the GOP...

[DaughterOfAnIwoJimaVet]

Does it really matter when you compare fellow Republicans to the AIDS virus, Dane? This sort of over-the-top rhetoric is the reason he alienates so many.

There are a million ways he could have expressed his displeasure with California Republicans and Schwarzenegger without being so obscenely off-putting.

I'm not trying to get anyone to withdraw their support. I just wish someone could get him to pull the fader back a little bit.

[WestVirginiaRebel]

"Impressive credentials...highly educated, very articulate..."

Can you say patronizing? And I'm sure the editor considers Keyes a credit to his race, too : P

[sinkspur]

Dane we'd all vote for Keyes.

But he's a powder keg. And the heat source can come from anywhere that causes him to blow.

[SQUID]

Horatio: I agree with you. America should not look at how a name is spelled or pronounced in order to qualify as "American". American is not just blonde hair and blue eyes. American is not just Jim Smith, it means the idea that Jim and Balthazar have an equal shot at a public office because they have good ideas and the interest of the commonwealth at heart.

Hell the only real Americans go by names like Sitting Bull,CHOCHMINGWU, and Kwinyakwa'a. Otherwise, you are ALL immigrants, sons and daughters of one or descendants there of.

[SpinyNorman]

Doesn't it seem rather odd that Keyes, when, as described by the author, has errant beliefs, supported only by a fringe element and nobody in Illinois, and a track record of election failures, is considered enough of a threat that this large editorial is considered necessary?

Is it possible that Obama is another empty suit like Kerry?

A guy that can deliver a prewritten speech, but when faced with a direct head on debate, may fold like a house of cards under the ounslaught of Hurricane Keyes?

The underlying thread of this long nasty editorial is fear.

[catpuppy]

This is good. They wouldn't be this upset if he didn't have them worried

BINGO!

[sinkspur]

You sound like a Democrat, Sink.

Nah. I just don't like people who characterize people on their own side with whom they disagree as "evil."

And I'm not especially wild about being characterized as a Democrat because I think Keyes is a loose cannon. I said I'd vote for him if I were an Illinois resident.

[Dane]

Does it really matter when you compare fellow Republicans to the AIDS virus, Dane? This sort of over-the-top rhetoric is the reason he alienates so many.

There are a million ways he could have expressed his displeasure with California Republicans and Schwarzenegger without being so obscenely off-putting.

I'm not trying to get anyone to withdraw their support. I just wish someone could get him to pull the fader back a little bit

I understand that. That quote bristles me also, but it was a year ago in a very unusual election. We are humans and we make mistakes and we learn from them.

Call me naive I think Alan Keyes has learned from them.

I think his main focus will be Obama and I will support him if and until he goes back into that type of mode. But I don't think he will.

[LauraJean]

Alan Keyes will be on the radio WLS in Chicago. you can listen live on their website. http://www.wlsam.com/

[sinkspur]

Call me naive I think Alan Keyes has learned from them.

You're naive. Keyes has been saying this stuff for fifteen years.

Can a leopard change his spots?

[sweetliberty]

"Keyes has never lived in Illinois, has no visible political or personal ties to the state, surely has little knowledge of our unique problems and issues"

Oh, and no DemocRAT would ever dream of doing that. < /sarcasm >

"those beliefs include eliminating the federal income tax, prohibiting abortion procedures of any kind under any conditions, radically reducing government, dumping Social Security as we know it, fully supporting the right to bear arms"

Yeah. So?

"Doesn't Hastert — or the other Republican bigshots — know that only 10 percent or 15 percent of the population ever listens to right-wing radio?"

If so few people listen to consersative talk radio, then why are you left wing whack jobs so scared of it?

"Most of us, though, are smart enough to know an out-of-state con job when we see one."

Interesting claim from someone who obviously is incapable of spotting an in-state con job.

[bayourod]

"Oh, please. Slam Obama on the issues, but not his name. That's simply un-American. "

Not in Chicago it ain't.

Hey! Obama, where's yo mama? Think she'll ever come barack?

It worked for some old dead white president.

[Dane]

Can a leopard change his spots?

Sheesh just give him a chance. If Henry Hyde can show up at his rally, he isn't that bad.

And BTW, I think he has learned to tone down his rhetoric. This paper had to go back to last year to find that quote.

[sinkspur]

Well, we'll see. I'd vote for him, but the cringe-factor with Keyes is very high.

[Chi-townChief]

"What was their position when the Hildebeast ran in NY? I'll bet that they didn't breathe a word of criticism."

Nah. These guys just kind of squealed "YOU GO, GIRL !!!" back then.

[sweetliberty]

" I'll bet that they didn't breathe a word of criticism."

And she was from THEIR state.

[Chi-townChief]

Actually, Barack's mama may still be around; it's his old man who run and hid.